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?

[Elendon]

Hoople It really is a pain being self employed (I used to be a gardener). All my clients paid me after the work, without exception, though some were expecting me to turn a boring back garden into the gardens of Heligan - most were just grateful to get the work done.

Do you mind me asking how do you apply for a licence and how much it costs? My daughter is interested in this line of work and she is brilliant with animals and volunteers twice weekly for a cat rescue centre. Please feel free to pm me.

Good luck with getting your money.

[MipMipMip]

I think you need to call and keep him on the phone until he's done it. Not easy but I think at the moment he's finding you too easy to ignore. You need to be an inconvenience to him.

[CremeFresh]

Has he still not paid ? Rude!

[Andylion]

OP The problem is that he has always been late with payment and usually after one or two texts, yet you have agreed to do business with him again.

Once he has paid, I would send a text to the effect that next time, you will required payment, the entire amount, up front? That is, if you want the business. (I'm just assuming you like the dog [dog])

[AnathemaPulsifer]

can't keep having this with him, much as I love the little dog

Next time he asks you to dogsit just say payment in full in advance or you can't do it. You could do it when he pays you but that would be very confrontational which I sense isn't your style!!

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

It's 5:40pm on Thursday afternoon - please tell me the money has reached your account by now???

[Hoople]

Yes!!!!! Money paid ten minutes ago

Thanks for all the arse kicks and advice. Much appreciated. I'm certain I won't dog sit for him again as it's too much like hassle afterwards but if I do then I will say that I now require payment upfront due to a change in how I record keep.

[CremeFresh]

Yay !

[WhatchaMaCalllit]

Phew! That's good news.

If they do ask you to dog-sit again, tell them that your terms and conditions have changed due to clients not paying in time in the past.

[MipMipMip]

Well done! You deserve a very large glass of something lovely.

[Butterymuffin]

Yes, as soon as he enquires about a next booking tell him you require payment up front in full now. And if he tries to argue just keep restating the same thing broken record style.

[FizzyGreenWater]

No, don't say it's due to a change in how you record keep.

'I now require payment in advance as I've had issues with late payments which is needlessly stressful. I guarantee the place in advance but will not accept the dog unless payment has already been made into my account.'

(note lack of word SORRY in that statement).

[ScrumpyBetty]

I am pleased he has paid you hoople....and breathe! Relax!

[Starlight2345]

glad you have been paid..

I agree with Fizzy Green

[Hoople]

Thanks Mip!

Yes fizzy that's perfectly worded

[impostersyndrome]

Actually I'd replace 'stressful' with 'time-consuming' no need to make it emotional!

[eddielizzard]

don't dog sit for him again! but if you need the money don't sugar coat it. tell him you want money upfront because you're sick of chasing him. this is why people keep pulling this shit. no-one fucking tells them they're being an arse!! he probably thinks everyone pays late.

[coriliavijvaad]

Yay fizzy. And stick to your guns op you will need to be prepared to not allow the dog over your threshold if the money isn't in your account, assuming he has the cheek to book you again. I bet he'll be in a mad rush for missing his plane or something.

[eloisesparkle]

OP PLEASE NEVER MIND THE DOG AGAIN.
He is a total p*sstaker.
How dare he treat somebody who really cares for his ( hopefully) beloved pet so well, so badly !!!!
Just say no and say why.

[Merrymumoftwo]

Agree don't dog sit again but if you do get weak and agree. Send following by text and letter up front.
Due to repetitive late payments from you. Any future booking will require full upfront payment to avoid any further issues. You are fully aware of my previous terms in relation to my dog sitting service of payment within 24 hours and have constantly abused my good faith. Whilst I love looking after your dog and welcoming him/her into my family, my valuable time has been taken up having to repeatedly chase payment. Please note the only reason this service is being offered to you at all is because of your delightful pet. However failure to make payment upfront will result in refusal to accept your pet. Yours Hoople

[eloisesparkle]

Great letter Merry

[WineAndTiramisu]

Glad you finally got paid, the wording from fizzy is perfect, but remember he may turn up with the dog and no money, in which case you would have to be firm and send him away to the cash point!