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AIBU?

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Original poster

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?

OP posts:
Original poster
Hoople · 15/08/2017 10:36

Thanks guys - gone back to this name so my response is highlighted and you can see my thanks for your suggestions.

I think he sees this as a very casual type arrangement. We are not friends at all, but he knows I just do this now for a small handful of regulars, of which he's been one for over a year. I no longer have a website etc and I won't be taking on new clients - it's just a little thing I do because I enjoy it and it suits us as a family.

My DH says to leave it until the weekend and that he always pays eventually after a reminder or two. And this is true - he's never not paid. I disagree and think it's bloody rude though so I'm gearing myself up to send the following

' Hi Rude man! Wondered if you've had chance to pay the £224 for Dog's care? Wasn't sure if you had my bank details to hand but they're 12344567. Cheers!'

How's that?!

OP posts:
OcelotnotGiraffe · 15/08/2017 10:37

I think that is fine OP.

Original poster
Hoople · 15/08/2017 10:38

Oh and this isn't a lack of money thing. They are a wealthy family. I honestly don't know what's behind his thinking. I'd prioritise this payment to someone who'd given wonderful care to my pet

OP posts:
OcelotnotGiraffe · 15/08/2017 10:41

So would I but some people are just a bit ditsy and don't realise that to others it matters when they pay!

You could add something like 'as it's summer holidays I'd really appreciate payment sooner rather than later please" if you want?

HelenRose1111 · 15/08/2017 10:42

Personally, I wouldn't wait for the weekend, I'd send it now. And every day till he pays! Cheeky sod.

elfinpre · 15/08/2017 10:43

I'd give him a week from the invoice to pay. But next time get him to pay upfront.

silkybear · 15/08/2017 10:47

I would say just to make you aware our policy has changed and if you are unable to make payment within the next 24 hours a late payment charge of 10% will apply. Send it by email not text if you can so it appears more formal. He is only delaying because he knows he can get away with it. Next time he asks for dog sitting let him know policy has changed and a 25-50% upfront fee is required. Friendliness attracts pisstakers sadly.

silkybear · 15/08/2017 10:49

Do it today it's your money sitting in his bank account!

Liiinoo · 15/08/2017 11:12

Text him 'Hi xx, I am still waiting on your payment of £xxx. Can you confirm this has been sent? Thanks Hoople'.

StormTreader · 15/08/2017 11:20

Definitely ask for money up front in future - they have to pay for hotels and flights in advance of a holiday, they can pay you as well, a professional kennel company would expect payment in advance.

You're doing it as a favour to them, not the other way around.

QuimReaper · 15/08/2017 11:23

I don't think he needs to be written off as terribly rude or inconsiderate, he's probably just one of those people who saves all "admin" up for one bulk go and sits down to it once a week or so. My DH is a bit like that. It could be as you say, that he sees this as a "casual" arrangement, or it could be the complete opposite, that he sees it as one of the invoices he has to pay, which in most cases will be to larger companies who expect payment within 30 days or so. There's no reason to believe that if you make your terms and expectations perfectly clear (i.e. 50% upfront, 50% on drop-off, as suggested) he won't abide by them.

Viviennemary · 15/08/2017 11:28

It is a bit lax of him. But I think your DH is right in suggesting to give him a few more days since he has always paid in the past. But it's still annoying chasing people. Unless he was really bad and took weeks to pay I don't think I'd ask for money upfront. And even if you asked for a deposit he's probably the type that you would have to chase up for the balance. He just sounds a bit thoughtless and disorganised.

reallybadidea · 15/08/2017 11:31

If you're really not bothered about losing him as a customer (who could blame you?!) then just text him saying:

"Hello, we really enjoyed having Dog to stay but I'm disappointed that you haven't paid for Dog's care yet. Please could make payment within 24 hours or I'm afraid that we won't be able to have him to stay in future"

DO NOT be embarrassed, you have done nothing wrong. HE should be embarrassed but he's treating you like this because you've let him get away with it in the past. Stressing about not being paid, tiptoeing round asking for payment is just silly.

reallybadidea · 15/08/2017 11:35

Sorry, posted too soon, if he went to a kennel then they'd ask for payment before the dog leaves. Just because this isn't a full time business for you doesn't mean that customers shouldn't expect normal business terms.

meltingmarshmallows · 15/08/2017 11:44

I agree with the others, we pay our cat sitter upfront. I'm self employed and projects are of a larger cost but I always invoice 33% upfront. I don't think asking for 50% in your instance would be awkward at all.

Original poster
Hoople · 15/08/2017 11:54

Ok I've sent the following text

Hi Xxx. Just realised you may not have my bank details to hand. They're 12345677 sort code 11-22-33. Thanks a lot : )

Yes it's totally wimpy and pathetic but I'm currently sat here inwardly cringing. It's a prompt without saying 'pay me' isn't it.

God I literally am cringing. Hate all this!

OP posts:
QuimReaper · 15/08/2017 12:11

I think it's OK to give him one more nudge before getting direct OP.

Have you decided to change your terms going forward though? As I said upthread, this is likely to be a case of differing expectations, and I think if you make yours crystal clear it'll be much smoother and less fraught for you in future.

WhatchaMaCalllit · 15/08/2017 12:18

That was nicely done Hoople.

I wouldn't take the positio your DH suggested, about waiting until the weekend. You are providing a service that has to be paid for, and this customer hasn't paid yet. Follow up on that text tomorrow saying "Hi X, I sent you a text yesterday with my bank details. Unfortunately the funds haven't been transferred to my account yet. Please make sure this is done within the next 24hrs".
Then if the funds still haven't been transferred, I'd suggest saying in the final text to be sent Thursday "Hi X, you still haven't transferred the funds for the care of Poochy. As these funds are still outstanding I will be left with no other choice than to submit a claim through the Small Claims Court for this money". Whether or not you plan on doing that you can decide closer to the time but it might be the rocket that this guy is needing to get a move on!

WhatchaMaCalllit · 15/08/2017 12:21

*position not positio

MyKingdomForBrie · 15/08/2017 12:23

When we send an invoice out it's payment within 28 days. Maybe if he's in business he's in that kind of frame of mind? I had a survey done recently, I know the price but he's sending me an invoice - I would never have expected to pay on the day. Obviously he's used you before but unless you've said explicitly 'you must pay on collection' then he might not realise. I don't think that is out of order.

You just need to make your terms clear.

Floralnomad · 15/08/2017 12:27

I think you are right to not get too stroppy straight away , if you start saying we won't have him again etc the likelihood is he won't pay at all and it will end up as aggravation taking him to small claims . Next time he rings to book ( assuming he pays now) say to him that the system has changed and he needs to pay 50% upfront .

Original poster
Hoople · 15/08/2017 12:27

Quim - no change to my terms but only because my other (very few!) regulars are brilliant and I don't intend to take on anyone else. However I think with this one I may just stop doing it for him to be honest. Love his dog but I just find him so rude. Or you're right - maybe with him I ask for money upfront

OP posts:
SteppingOnToes · 15/08/2017 12:35

I expect payment upon them leaving the dog now - non-payment is annoying but one that I have been hit with twice is people leaving their unwanted dog and never picking it up...

eddielizzard · 15/08/2017 13:42

next text i'd send tomorrow morning:

'PAY ME'

he's being a total arse. no need to be so polite.

Original poster
Hoople · 15/08/2017 14:59

No response or payment yet but it's only been 3 hours

OP posts:
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