Reply to: Client Refusing to Pay

[Safe Collections]

+1. There is reason why large companies use different people to chase up debts. It keeps the salesman's personal contacts untouched.

It is actually something we see quite regularly with contractors, they get personally involved in the situation and forget that it is business first. Admittedly it is easily done when your personal finances are often heavily intertwined with your professional finances.

But it can make life tricky when the last email from the contractor basically says "i'm coming after you"

[eek]

*Cough* Outsource *Cough*

+1. There is reason why large companies use different people to chase up debts. It keeps the salesman's personal contacts untouched.

[Safe Collections]

I find it very had to do be mechanical and do it properly which will scare them a lot more than someone blowing off steam and talking crap.

*Cough* Outsource *Cough*

[NotAllThere]

... I would only be happy when I am putting his head on a spike outside on the town hall walls...

You can still do that after you've got the money.

[northernladuk]

Go through the process mechanically, don't get emotionally involved. Don't get into discussions. When you've reached the end of reminders and got to the "if you do not pay this bill, I will take legal action" and still no joy - then go to the small claims court.

This is a good bit of advice, sadly one I find it very difficult to apply but is the correct way to go. When people screw you over like this the red mist descends and I would only be happy when I am putting his head on a spike outside on the town hall walls, or whatever method you use to deal with stuff down south.

I find it very had to do be mechanical and do it properly which will scare them a lot more than someone blowing off steam and talking crap.

[NotAllThere]

The working direct is an issue between you and the agency and, separately, the client and the agency. It's got nothing to do with your getting paid.

Agreed. Make sure you add interest and penalties for late payment too....

Go through the process mechanically, don't get emotionally involved. Don't get into discussions. When you've reached the end of reminders and got to the "if you do not pay this bill, I will take legal action" and still no joy - then go to the small claims court.

[psychocandy]

+1.

As it stands at the moment the client has had four days of free work and sounds like they are just trying to fob you off with excuses.

Please tell us that you have some kind of confirmation for the four non-agency days? Timesheet or whatnot?

As Andy Hallett also mentioned it might be worth informing the client that you may have to speak to the agency if you can not reach a resolution. True the agency wont be pleased with you, but the client will be less pleased when the agency "introduction fee" invoice lands on his desk.

Yeh. Sounds like that idea could be fun.

[Wanderer]

That costs money so don't do that yet. Search for dunning and follow the advice it gives.

Agreed. Make sure you add interest and penalties for late payment too....

[eek]

Thanks a million guys.

I do have an email from the client requesting my invoice directly to him for the 4 days work done. Is it worth taking matters up in a small claims court?

That costs money so don't do that yet. Search for dunning and follow the advice it gives.

[olud]

Thanks a million guys.

I do have an email from the client requesting my invoice directly to him for the 4 days work done. Is it worth taking matters up in a small claims court?

[Safe Collections]

I wonder if he cut the agent out so he could do this to you?

+1.

As it stands at the moment the client has had four days of free work and sounds like they are just trying to fob you off with excuses.

Please tell us that you have some kind of confirmation for the four non-agency days? Timesheet or whatnot?

As Andy Hallett also mentioned it might be worth informing the client that you may have to speak to the agency if you can not reach a resolution. True the agency wont be pleased with you, but the client will be less pleased when the agency "introduction fee" invoice lands on his desk.

[psychocandy]

Hmm. As others have said, bad idea to cut the agency out like that. I would also wonder if the client had this planned all along - cut the agent out to avoid hassle, and then stitch up the lone contractor by refusing to pay.

Don't reckon you got much chance of getting your money. Client knows this.

On a similar note, Mrs runs small business doing botox etc. Got stitched up by someone who said they forgot they're chequebook. Luckily, mrs said ok I'll drive you to cashpoint to get £200 out, you can transfer the rest (£300) direct to my account.

You can guess what happened next. Exactly like you - next day no money transferred because suddenly there was a problem with the work done. No surprise there. Cheeky cow even wanted her £200 back!

Never did get the £300. People like this know what they can get away with and that if they complain the work is no good its nigh on impossible to make them pay.

This woman has become quite famous in the area and goes around all the different salons etc getting free work by various scams. I still know her home address so one day.....

[Andy Hallett]

Good shout!

Do you think it would work!?

100%

[Wanderer]

Good shout! Do you think it would work!?

No, but it would be funny to watch.

[BolshieBastard]

Threaten to grass up the client to the agency, await BACS transfer.

Good shout!

Do you think it would work!?