AIBU to ask for payment now?

[Hoople]

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?

[Hoople]

Dina - yeah he forgets alright. Repeatedly. Because he's rude

[SkySmiler]

Has he STILL not paid??

[PumpkinSpiceEverything]

Sounds like someone overspent on holiday and is stalling for time I can't stand that crap. I'm self employed and hate having to chase people for payment.

Just a thought for future, when we use a cat sitter we have to pay up front. Maybe next time say "I've changed my policy and now ask for payment up front due to some people not adhering to my pay-within-24-hours policy"

[monkeywithacowface]

I agree I would ask for payment upfront from now on. The man's a fool to risk losing a great dog sitter because he can't get his arse in gear to pay.

[Hoople]

Pumpkin - yes I'd certainly be doing that but I'm almost sure I won't take his dog again. I don't mind this rigamarole so much when it's a few quid but I'm twitchy this time as it's a chunk of money

Sky - texts me last night at 7 saying he'd 'sort tonight.' 20 hours later and he hasn't. I'll text again this evening though even though it pains me

[PumpkinSpiceEverything]

The time for politeness is over! "I can't help but notice that you still haven't made payment. As you know I have a 24 hour policy. Please make your payment for £--- immediately. Thank you."

[SheGotOffThePlane]

What a dick. We send our dog to a similar set up when we go away, family friend, only takes a small amount of regulars. I always make sure I have the cash sitting to hand over when I pick up ddog.. Anything else is just plain rude imo.
Text him and say 'as per t&c, payment was due within 24 hours. If payment is not received within (say?) 12 hours late fees will apply of xxx, taking full payment amount due to xxx'

[reallybadidea]

I think he's one of those dickheads who hate being told what to do and will only do it when he feels that he's chosen to do it. IMHO 'reminding' him again will be counterproductive and just make him delay even further - let's face it, he hasn't actually forgotten unless he's got some form of early-onset dementia He's choosing not to pay at the moment. I think I'd just try and forget about it until it's been a week since he picked the dog up and then go in pretty strongly after that.

[melj1213]

FFS STOP HINTING AND SAY YOU WANT YOUR MONEY

OP you keep saying you're assertive but a bit soft ... so far all I've seen is you being a total pushover.

"RudeCustomer, I still have not received the £224 owed for DearDog's boarding fees from Xdate to Ydate despite your earlier messages saying it would be settled today. Please confirm that the money has been sent today and to the correct account"

I would also consider adding Late Payment Fees to your T&Cs for future bookings - if the balance isn't cleared within 48 hours of pick up, you will add £X in admin fees and that total will go up by £Y for every further day the balance isn't cleared. If you choose to only apply those fees to this rude customer, that is your choice, but perhaps it will make it clear that you won't just let him pay when he feels like without any consequences

[StormTreader]

I still say you should insist that they pay BEFORE the boarding starts. Then you dont have to worry about chasing it!

[JustDontGetItAtAll]

Op you're being wayyyyy too soft! He's taking the piss!! Today is Wednesday... 4 days late?!

[Hoople]

I know. Ridiculous. Just checked and still nothing. Can't go in both barrels either as he lives two miles up the road and I see him often in Sainsbury's etc. That would be awks

I'll send another text now

[melj1213]

Can't go in both barrels either as he lives two miles up the road and I see him often in Sainsbury's etc. That would be awks

Yes, for him! He's the one who hasn't paid his bill!

The fact that you're worried about bumping into him at Sainsbos and it being awkward shows that you're giving him the power when he's the one in the wrong

[ScrumpyBetty]

Can't believe he still hasn't paid! Cheeky fucker. I regularly leave my dear dog with a lovely dog sitter for random weekends, I always pay invoice on the same day as soon as I can, I would feel guilty even leaving it for one day ! Some people just are beyond belief.

[Butterymuffin]

So make it awkward for him! Go to Sainsbury's and if you see him, tap him on the shoulder and say 'Hello X, you haven't paid me for dog sitting.'

[coriliavijvaad]

If you bump into him in sainsbury's you can say "gosh I didn't know this was the sort of place where you could pay a week and a half after you said you would" - make him squirm. You haven't done anything wrong.

[ThePinkOcelot]

We run a small pet boarding business and ask for payment up front, on drop off. We also ask that they sign a contract re: possible vet visits etc. We do sometimes allow payment on collection, but the contract states, no payment on collecting, no pet return. Have you got something like that?

[Hoople]

Pink ocelot - not now. I literally just take a very few dogs for a few regulars. They all know I've wound down but that I'm happy to still have their dogs as and when. It works out at maybe 5-6 times a year now. So, no, no big business type thing anymore (err All declared though! )

App the others manage to just politely pay. This one seems incapable

[KinkyAfro]

Guilt the fucker, tell him you've not been able to do what you planned this week as you are short of funds.

He doesn't know that's not true, arsehole. I'm the same as OP, I feel guilty for asking for money I'm owed, not for a business though, just in general

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

Just thinking - this is a family pet that they have asked you to look after, right? Do you have any contact numbers of the Rude Customer's wife perhaps? Could you contact her and say something like "I'm not sure if your husband has received my text messages but payment for looking after Poochy is still outstanding and I've now sent two reminder texts to your husband. My terms and conditions clearly state that payment must be made within 24hrs of collecting your pet. You are now X days late in paying. Please ensure that the money is in my account by the start of business tomorrow"
Would that work?

[Hoople]

Sadly I don't have his wife's number - always dealt with him although I know her by sight and to say hello to. I see them around town every few months or so.

I've sent my message now. It's a rather pathetic 'thanks, I'll check my account later'

And if nothing tonight I'll have to guilt trip and say I had plans with my youngest and need to be paid

[melj1213]

And if nothing tonight I'll have to guilt trip and say I had plans with my youngest and need to be paid

Or stop being such a sap and send him a message that says "You owe me £224, it is now 4 days past due, and you have been given 3 reminders about the outstanding balance. if it is not in my account in the next 24 hours I will be forced to consider more formal methods of reclaiming my fees."

[ScrumpyBetty]

Has he paid yet??

[Hoople]

No

Sent text so hopefully tonight

[Bringmewineandcake]

Hoople where is your backbone?
Stop texting the man, he thinks you're a silly little woman who keeps bothering him and he'll get to you when he's ready!
No more texts, ring him in the morning, big girl pants on.