Time to bust some knee caps? - Page 2 - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Fitz · #16 06-05-2009, 10:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

He's a commodities broker, so it's not like the guy is down and out.

Does he work for Midas Resources by any chance?

Zeus · #17 06-05-2009, 10:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

I have a customer who brought in a car for detail. We did it same day and to his satisfaction. 5 weeks have gone by with no payment. I've called him a few times every week and he always says he'll come by. Called him 2 days ago and he told me he's having money trouble due to the IRS, but he'd come by today-- but of course he never did.

All this for $125.00

We did a car for him 9/08 and he finally paid me 2/08. Then we did a car 10/08 and he paid 3/09. I know where he works, his cell and work # etc. He's also referred a few people. It's not like he's ducking out, but... Should I be ticked off?? I've always been polite and he knows that biz is slow.

I could use the money, ya' know??

I would visit him in person and politely yet firmly ask that he pay you for services rendered. Keep a cool head, but give the impression you are not leaving without the cash in pocket.

I've had to collect in person for jobs done when I was self-employed. Can be a serious hassle. However, I always ended up getting paid. Took persistence, but that coupled with a cool head usually prevailed.

Good luck!

HuskyMan · #18 06-06-2009, 12:31 AM

deadbeats pay in advance. I've noticed some gasoline stations in the bad parts of town that have a window with burglar bars. they have a sign that states "ALL GASOLINE PURCHASES PAYABLE IN ADVANCE" or something similar. if one wants $20 in gas, one pays the cashier $20 and the pump STOPS at $20. no drive offs, no thefts, just a simple easy transaction.

so......the following options:

deadbeats pay with either a credit card, debit card, check or CASH IN ADVANCE. the credit card carries more risk because they can dispute it with their credit card company so the credit card may not be a good route to go with.....

the other option would be a debit card tied directly to their bank account which they cannot dispute.

the safest is to tell him to bring CASH for the total amount of the detail to be placed on deposit PRIOR to doing any work on his car. be sure and give the deadbeat a receipt for the cash. your TIME is worth something and calling this deadbeat 40 times on the phone is costing you big $$$$$$ in terms of your TIME. deadbeats get to pay for services rendered in ADVANCE. simple, easy and relieves a LOT of stress.....life is too short for this kind of stuff.

Mistress · #19 06-06-2009, 06:16 AM

Swede- your a Zen Master......Gangs of New York?

t walgamuth · #20 06-06-2009, 06:54 AM

I had a guy who didn't pay once. I just went over to his office and asked to see him. Then I just shot the breeze with him and never asked for the money at all but just didn't leave until he wrote me a check. After about a half hour he wrote me a check and it was good.

I've actually used this method at least three times successfully.

If I did it with him I would make it clear next time he came in that he would have to pay when he picked up the car in the future.

There are folks this soft core method would not work with.

aklim · #21 06-06-2009, 08:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

He picked up his car 5 weeks ago. He hopped in it and said something like, "I'll be by in a few days with the cash."

That was the problem right there. When he drops it off, tell him that it is COD. When the car is done, you expect payment BEFORE Releasing the car.

Medmech · #22 06-06-2009, 09:43 AM

The harder you push the guy you only get farther back in line tell him to pay it when he gets a chance and keep sending referrals. Drama over $125 is a waste of time especially when you go in knowing he is a slow pay.

t walgamuth · #23 06-06-2009, 10:28 AM

I always had trouble not being insulted when folks didn't pay for services that I knew were first rate.

Calling legitimate collections problems 'Drama' seems a little unfair.

A way to deal with it without getting testy is probably best though.

Maybe tell him when he gets you five referrals in all he gets one at half price providing he is current on his tab.

SwampYankee · #24 06-06-2009, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

We did a car for him 9/08 and he finally paid me 2/08. Then we did a car 10/08 and he paid 3/09.

(I'm assuming that was paid 2/09) There seems to be a pattern developing here, it looks like you've got to wait another 15 weeks or so for payment. I don't know squat about the auto detailing business but 5 months past due sure seems like an unreasonable time frame for collection. At 30 days past due, the bookkeeper sends a nice reminder letter, at 60 days she makes a phonecall and the account is put on hold until payment is received and at 90 days they are sent to collections and their account is closed permanently. All it takes is some regular communcation on their part to work out an acceptable payment plan that prevents any or all of that from happening. There are some former customers that went all the way to collections that are not only not Cash.O.D., we won't sell to them period.

We're very accomodating as long as the line of communication is open and they're making an effort to pay down that balance, even if it's a partial payment. Within reason of course.

It was your time, your labor, your materials. Now it's your cash flow he's affecting.

The Clk Man · #25 06-06-2009, 12:15 PM

If all else fails, tell me where he works and I will collect the money for you. Even though I am the nicest guy you will ever meet, in person I look like a Charles Manson Biker axe murderer.

Jim H · #26 06-06-2009, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

..He hopped in it and said something like, "I'll be by in a few days with the cash."

With the clarity offered by 20/20 hindsight, the next time he hops in he should find no keys. Be sure he has to ask for the keys, which you can then offer in return for on the spot payment for services rendered.

PaulC · #27 06-06-2009, 06:29 PM

I know a stone mason who did a job rebuilding a fireplace chimney for a man he suspected was a deadbeat. Sure enough, job completed, no pay. A couple of weeks later, DB lights up the fireplace for the first time post-rebuild and his house fills up with smoke. DB calls up the mason and *****es. Mason says pay my bill in cash and I can remedy the problem. DB agrees, mason comes over, gets his cash, and climbs up on the roof with a broom. He places the broomstick in the chimney with a churning motion and the sound of breaking glass is heard. It turns out the mason had installed a small pane of clear glass across the chimney opening during the rebuild process.

t walgamuth · #28 06-06-2009, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

I know a stone mason who did a job rebuilding a fireplace chimney for a man he suspected was a deadbeat. Sure enough, job completed, no pay. A couple of weeks later, DB lights up the fireplace for the first time post-rebuild and his house fills up with smoke. DB calls up the mason and *****es. Mason says pay my bill in cash and I can remedy the problem. DB agrees, mason comes over, gets his cash, and climbs up on the roof with a broom. He places the broomstick in the chimney with a churning motion and the sound of breaking glass is heard. It turns out the mason had installed a small pane of clear glass across the chimney opening during the rebuild process.

I have heard of that one before. I don't know if its true or not but makes a good story! In my version the builder did it in all new houses just in case.

strelnik · #29 06-06-2009, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Swede

He picked up his car 5 weeks ago. He hopped in it and said something like, "I'll be by in a few days with the cash."

I think it might be better for an advance payment and/or credit card thing you can use to impact his credit rating.

The Clk Man · #30 06-06-2009, 07:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PaulC

I know a stone mason who did a job rebuilding a fireplace chimney for a man he suspected was a deadbeat. Sure enough, job completed, no pay. A couple of weeks later, DB lights up the fireplace for the first time post-rebuild and his house fills up with smoke. DB calls up the mason and *****es. Mason says pay my bill in cash and I can remedy the problem. DB agrees, mason comes over, gets his cash, and climbs up on the roof with a broom. He places the broomstick in the chimney with a churning motion and the sound of breaking glass is heard. It turns out the mason had installed a small pane of clear glass across the chimney opening during the rebuild process.

Nice piece of work man, Nice piece if work. I applaude the mason.