AIBU to just not turn up?

[WithTwoGiantBoys]

I provide a service to customers at their home, either weekly or ad hoc, and am usually paid once I have invoiced the customer which I do every 2-3 weeks. I have a regular customer who hasn't paid either of my last two invoices, one just before the summer holidays and one four weeks ago so they are for work going back a number of months. I have reminded her in person and resent the invoices via email. I don't think she means never to pay me, and is being disorganised rather than dishonest but I have got a little tired of this now and could do with the money. She has promised to sort it out but doesn't seem likely to do so quickly - I have had customers do this before but it is usually the ad hoc ones rather than the weekly ones where the amount owing can soon add up! They do usually pay up eventually.

WIBU to just stop turning up until she actually pays?

YABU to just not turn up. Call or email her and tell her that you can’t provide any further services until she has paid, and then don’t turn up if she doesn’t pay.

I’d do exactly that. She’ll either magically find her cheque book, or she’ll make a fuss about you not coming and won’t will threaten to hire someone else - in which case, you’ll know she’s not worth keeping on as a client.

Tell her she needs to pay up to date in cash next time you go there.

Agreed - tell her you won't be turning up until the bill has been settled and then don't give her the leeway in the future (one missed invoice, you're not coming until settled)

Agree with the others. Don't just not turn up. Tell her that, unfortunately, you can't continue to provide the services until she's paid her arrears.

And if she does pay tell her you need to be paid in advance from now on or won't be able to do her

Contact her and let her know you cannot provide more services until the outstanding invoices are settled. I'd also write on your future invoices that payment must be made within XX days from the date of the invoice (14 days? 30 days?) otherwise late payment charges will be incurred.

Here's a little tip I learned from a doctor I worked for about 30 years ago(he did medicolegal reports sometimes for solicitors). If they are late paying your invoice, send it in again with "interest" added to it (at your own choice of exorbitant rate) - years ago we used to add £5 to the invoice in these circumstances and it worked like a charm. They either paid the new total right away or they queried the amount and paid the original total. I now use this in my own self-employed business though I am careful have a note typed on my invoices to say that interest will be added if the invoice is not settled within 21 days of date of invoice. I've still had to do my "add interest" thing for one or two people but they have paid right away then (the higher price too!).

The interest idea is brilliant; I’m going to use that one.

I already have a line saying to be paid within 30 days, I think I'll update it to say I can add interest! It's such a pain, I feel like I have reminded her several times and really shouldn't have to do it again!

You can use something like this to work out how much you can legally charge - it's also worth changing the wording on your invoices to say you can charge late payment interest!

www.contractorcalculator.co.uk/late_payment_calculator.aspx

I work in credit control... I spend my life dealing with CF's who don't pay their bills. I am sure she will have an excuse but not paying for a service you have been provided and to keep expecting it is not on.
Rather than just not turning up send her an email with the invoices attached advising that you will not be agreeing any further visits until she settles what she owes.

30 days is already very generous. Definitely charge interest.

If I were you I'd very seriously consider reducing my payment terms to 14 days or "immediately due upon invoice".

Giving people 30 days takes away the urgency, makes it easier to relegate to the bottom of the to do list and forget, and also makes you a cheap finance option.

Well, I didn't go, and my bill was paid shortly after. Lesson learned though!

Glad it's sorted op. I was told I could only legally charge interest for late payment if my customer was made aware of and signed to say they were aware of interest payments bring added and under what terms. I was advised if I already had a business relationship or contract in place I couldn't just charge that customer interest. Seek legal advice if you want to be sure.