To wonder how some tradesmen stay in business?

[RestEasy]

I called a man out to deal with my drains when we had a blockage.

He was lovely, turned up promptly, dealt with the neighbours beautifully (shared manhole) sorted the problem and cleaned up after himself. When I asked about payment he said he'd email an invoice. All good. This was in June.

Since then I've text a number of times to remind him, he always said it's on it's way. At the time of his visit, DH was bedbound in a hospital bed by the window he was working near so TBH, I began to think he'd taken pity on us and decided not to charge.(he really was lovely).

Anyway the invoice has arrived by post today. I shall pay it tonight. But I'd forgotten all about it by now, I could have moved or died! Surely this is no way to run a business?

It's true that it's crazy not to be organised these days. DP is self-employed and the whole invoice/tax thing doesn't come naturally to him so he uses apps and gets everything sorted as soon as it comes up to stay on top of it all. You can literally sit in bed and send an invoice in 5 minutes from your phone, it's just about getting it done. He'll send it off, I hear the banking app beep as the money comes in...no stress needed!

@TotallySuper

Usually their businesses are a front for money laundering hence them being so blasé about payment. Google it.

Ha ha ha no.

@saleorbouy

It's crazy that they don't have a better grasp on cash flow and bills especially when there are plenty on apps that can assist them and can be done from a phone or tablet in van after the job.

I think part of the issue is many people who struggle with numbers and maths are encouraged to go into the trades as it's seen as the sensible option for them.

But they're then not taught how to calculate tax and fill out expense forms etc.

Most of the apps do the calculations for you if you put the data in correctly and most people are pretty adept at phones and computers these days.
One thing you can be sure if is no one will pay if they don't get a bill first.
Why would you work for free or risk your business?

@icedcoffees but they can easily find someone who can do that for them e.g. one of their family members, a friend's OAP parent who wants a part-time job.

Yep!!!! I've owned an electrician £200 now from September and I send weekly reminders cos I hate stuff outstanding like this!!

@TotallySuper

Usually their businesses are a front for money laundering hence them being so blasé about payment. Google it.

That would work the other way around A money laundering front will be on top of the admin to get as many transactions as possible

Sometimes its procrastination or being too busy. Sometimes they may have genuinely forgotten.

DP invoices straight away. He gets anxious with my relaxed invoicing but he is the one who cannot keep records and I think he forgets 10-20% of the time if he doesnt do it straight away.

On the other hand I am coming up 4 months behind on my invoicing for some clients. But I never EVER forget. Its on the list of things to do. I trust you will pay me, so I dont consider it a priority. And now xmas is coming I might double the payment terms to 60 days just to be nice.

Some clients I let off - they probably think I forgot. I just cba to sit down and run up an invoice for anything less than £100.

DH is a tradesman, brilliant at his trade but absolutely awful with customer service, admin etc He would never not phone back or not turn up though.

[quote RedWingBoots]@icedcoffees but they can easily find someone who can do that for them e.g. one of their family members, a friend's OAP parent who wants a part-time job.[/quote]
Not everyone has people able or willing to do those things, though.

I help DH at tax time but it's his responsibility to keep everything organised, not mine 🤷🏻‍♀

I'm not about to spend my free time raking through his van and coat pockets for receipts

Not everyone has people able or willing to do those things, though

there are loads of VAs out there who would do it. It would cost less than the tradesmen lose in non-invoiced fees!

@icedcoffees I said "part-time job" as in paid work.

I know someone who has made a living out of doing reception and admin work for people. She started off as one of her male relations couldn't get his self organised to book customers in advance and sort out invoicing for the business he set up. She ensured he paid her for her time. She now as 4 long-term clients including him.

So like @ColinTheKoala pointed out while it costs them some money, they make more due to having her do that work for them.

Thread has just reminded me that the plumber never did come back for the payment to install my shower. I had cash ready in an envelope for him for about 6 months.

I wouldn’t mind finding a garage that would service my car and forget about the invoices tbh.

[quote RedWingBoots]@icedcoffees I said "part-time job" as in paid work.

I know someone who has made a living out of doing reception and admin work for people. She started off as one of her male relations couldn't get his self organised to book customers in advance and sort out invoicing for the business he set up. She ensured he paid her for her time. She now as 4 long-term clients including him.

So like @ColinTheKoala pointed out while it costs them some money, they make more due to having her do that work for them.[/quote]
Hmm, I see what you're saying, but many people wouldn't know where to start when it comes to hiring another employee, be that on a self-employed or employed basis.

The cost of paying someone to do that is probably a lot more than the payments they might miss due to being a bit disorganised.

But it's just....not. its completely factual. Have a Google or speak to anyone who works at HMRC or AML.

Well I didn't quote very well - that was in response to someone who said the money laundering thing was "utter shite"