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AIBU?

AIBU to ask for payment now?

222 replies

Hoople · 14/08/2017 21:42

I look after people's dogs when they go away. Only now and again and I have a few regulars who always come back to me because they have total peace of mind that their dog will be treated like one of the family. I only have one dog at any one time

One of my regulars has just left their dog with me for over a fortnight at a total cost of £224. He picked him up on Saturday evening at 7pm and said he'd 'try and send payment through in the morning.' It's now 36 hours past Sunday morning and he hasn't paid

Now I wouldn't usually be too worried about this but this regular has form for taking a while to pay and I usually have to send an awkward reminder text. Sometimes two or three. This isn't an issue when the money owed is 30 odd quid but this has been a long chunk of time that I had his dog and the money owed is over £200.

Do I leave it longer? How long? It's been 48 hours since he collected his dog. Or do I send a text now?

God I find this stuff so awkward. All my other regulars pay immediately or within an hour or two. It's only pressing a few buttons to make a transfer isn't it?

WWYD?

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gamerchick · 14/08/2017 21:44

I feel your pains. Yes you need to be a pest probably and in future he pays upfront to keep on friendly terms.

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myusernamewastaken · 14/08/2017 21:46

Send the text....he owes you the money and if in future you look after his dog again .....i'd get half upfront.

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ImperialBlether · 14/08/2017 21:46

I think you should send a text every day, with each one being a bit less friendly than the previous one. With this person, you need to make him pay in advance.

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Aquamarine1029 · 14/08/2017 21:46

This is not awkward. This is business and this person owes you money. Call or text now and don't feel awkward for a second. THEY are the one who should feel like shit. As a business owner myself, I suggest that you draft a new payment policy immediately. If you are not paid upon pick up of the animal, an additional late charge will apply. If payment has not been received after another 48 hours, an additional charge will apply. Your are running a BUSINESS, not a charity.

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ofudginghell · 14/08/2017 21:47

I would send him a reminder text and ask thatpayment is made within 24 hours or you will no longer be abled to accommodate looking after his furry friend again.

You could also draft up a generic looking txt for all of your clients asking that payment is made either on the drop off or the pick up and not after

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Viviennemary · 14/08/2017 21:48

If he does usually pay in the end then I'd give him a few days. Then send reminder. As it's not worth losing a regular customer I'd say. But it is still cheeky of him. He should have paid when he collected the dog.

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missmollyhadadolly · 14/08/2017 21:48

I think you need to charge 50% deposit for long spells.

Keep on him!

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Hoople · 14/08/2017 21:48

Oh I hate it so much!

I just know that if someone had looked after my much loved pet and I knew my pet had been sleeping on the sofa and been taken out twice a day and played with by the family etc then it would be my priority to bloody just pay. Not say on the doorstep as he left ' I'll try and pay in the morning'

That's exactly what he said. Why 'try?'

I'm just jumpy because I usually only have him for a few nights and this time it's been a fortnight so obviously it's a large chunk of cash

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dementedpixie · 14/08/2017 21:49

When I had a cat sitter I had to pay in advance

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Hoople · 14/08/2017 21:50

This isn't my main source of income. We just love dogs but don't want a full time commitment so over the years I've built up a very small but regular custom base. I don't mind losing this customer one bit actually but I just wish he'd pay!

I may say about upfront payment next time. That'd be awkward too though

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/08/2017 21:51

That's really shoddy of him. It's a business arrangement. He needs to pay. I'd send him a curt text. And next time get at least 50% up front.

Do not feel bad about chasing him up OP.

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ThroughThickAndThin01 · 14/08/2017 21:52

Just tell him your terms and conditions have changed for everyone, when you ask him to pay up front in the future.

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Bringmewineandcake · 14/08/2017 21:54

Yep, he pays up front next time. I wouldn't chase tonight now because it's late, but would ring him in the morning.

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flutterby12 · 14/08/2017 21:54

My boarder asks for half up front to secure the place than the remainder when I drop her off. He sounds like he's trying his luck!!

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notreallythere · 14/08/2017 21:57

"I'll TRY and pay in the morning" sounds like he sees it more as you doing him a favour than a business transaction! Definitely send a text "Just to remind you that payment is now due" etc.

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Hoople · 14/08/2017 22:02

Ok I'll send a text tomorrow morning I think.

Just shows where this comes in his priorities doesn't it? I'd pay immediately, I just know I would

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Starlight2345 · 14/08/2017 22:05

I am a childminder and the part of the job I hate is chasing money..

notreallythere has a good text..Short and sharp..No hope your dogs have settled in , no pleasantries.

And yes payment in advance next time.

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Ginorchoc · 14/08/2017 22:06

My dog home boards when we are in holiday and we have to pay up front. Also presuming you're a proper fully licensed business, your costs are good value!

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caffeinestream · 14/08/2017 22:07

He needs to pay in advance next time! 50% deposit and the remainder when he drops off his dog. Cheeky beggar.

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Hoople · 14/08/2017 22:08

Yes I like that text. I'll do my best to woman up and send it.

I actually would like the money too! Asap. I'm not desperate or anything but it'd be nice to have it this week as wanted to do stuff with the kids etc and it'd be a bonus

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Glumglowworm · 14/08/2017 22:09

Definitely ask for the full amount upfront next time, from this guy anyway.

He's taking the piss. It's not Awkward to want to be paid, keep chasing him for it, it's a significant amount of money.

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Doilooklikeatourist · 14/08/2017 22:09

Text him now
Just a reminder that the cost of your dogs boarding is now overdue

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Hoople · 14/08/2017 22:09

I'm fully licensed but I only do this now and again these days. Three regulars so I have a dog visitor maybe once every two or three months for a few days. I provide a home from home I suppose!

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Ginorchoc · 14/08/2017 22:11

Ask for it, I had to sign a contract and I was happy to pay up front.

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Hoople · 14/08/2017 22:13

I'm probably too bloody relaxed!

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