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AIBU?

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Original poster

Customer not paying. What would you do?

115 replies

Donenothingwrong · 03/04/2023 10:16

I’m a self employed cleaner & I’ve just taken on a new customer. All my customers either pay me cash or bank transfer on the day of their clean & that works well for me & them. However, this new customer hasn’t paid & I cleaned their house last Thursday. Two polite texts have been sent asking if they’ve still got my bank details, can they please pay me etc. & these were ignored until yesterday when she apologises for the delay & says she’s transferred the money & set up a standing order for future cleans. Perfect - except the money isn’t in my account. I don’t want to keep chasing her or it looks like I’m harassing her but what do I do? I’m due to go again on Thursday but I’m not cleaning again unless she’s paid for last week first. I’m not naive, there’s been several customers I’ve turned down in the past because I had a bad feeling about them for one reason or another but this lady seems genuine. I worked my ass off for 2 hours in her very dirty house & she was very happy with results. Wwyd?

OP posts:
Charlie554 · 03/04/2023 23:14

I would take her to the small claims court. Recorded delivery letter. Give her seven days to pay or you’ll start small claims. It’s online, you’ll get the costs and the money back. If she doesn’t pay then she’ll have a CCJ against her name.

LemonTreeSkies · 03/04/2023 23:25

TinySaltLick · 03/04/2023 18:47

I would go and unclean her house

😁

ThereIbledit · 03/04/2023 23:31

There is some seriously funky advice on here.

I'd wait until Wednesday as bank transfers to new people sometimes do take 24-48 hours to complete. If no payment message her that you will be unable to do her clean the next day and walk away from it. Not worth bothering with the faff of small claims court to be honest, just chalk it up to experience. Payment in advance or when you arrive on the day in cash or no clean, no exceptions.

NatashaDancing · 04/04/2023 00:12

sashagabadon · 03/04/2023 11:01

I think it is very possible that she is scamming you. Payments are instant nowadays. I would send her another chasing email.

Agreed. Payments are instant.

NatashaDancing · 04/04/2023 00:14

ThereIbledit · 03/04/2023 23:31

There is some seriously funky advice on here.

I'd wait until Wednesday as bank transfers to new people sometimes do take 24-48 hours to complete. If no payment message her that you will be unable to do her clean the next day and walk away from it. Not worth bothering with the faff of small claims court to be honest, just chalk it up to experience. Payment in advance or when you arrive on the day in cash or no clean, no exceptions.

Who do you bank with that takes 24- 48 hours to complete?

ThomasinaLivesHere · 04/04/2023 06:24

@Donenothingwrong any update?

If you still don’t have it I’d message again today. I wonder if she just set up a standing order but forgot about the payment due for work done.

SleepingStandingUp · 04/04/2023 08:20

Donenothingwrong · 03/04/2023 10:16

I’m a self employed cleaner & I’ve just taken on a new customer. All my customers either pay me cash or bank transfer on the day of their clean & that works well for me & them. However, this new customer hasn’t paid & I cleaned their house last Thursday. Two polite texts have been sent asking if they’ve still got my bank details, can they please pay me etc. & these were ignored until yesterday when she apologises for the delay & says she’s transferred the money & set up a standing order for future cleans. Perfect - except the money isn’t in my account. I don’t want to keep chasing her or it looks like I’m harassing her but what do I do? I’m due to go again on Thursday but I’m not cleaning again unless she’s paid for last week first. I’m not naive, there’s been several customers I’ve turned down in the past because I had a bad feeling about them for one reason or another but this lady seems genuine. I worked my ass off for 2 hours in her very dirty house & she was very happy with results. Wwyd?

Leave it til Wednesday. Wednesday morning message to say as y pi uve still not received payment you will not be attending tomorrow unless she can send the money over for last week and this week in advance

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2023 10:02

Merangutan · 03/04/2023 16:51

Genuinely don’t understand the comments about it taking two working days to transfer money. Perhaps by PayPal etc, but not transferring a payment in the UK to another UK account in the same currency using online banking. Where are these posters banking? That does not sound right.

Not all bank use the faster payment scheme.

toastofthetown · 04/04/2023 10:37

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2023 10:02

Not all bank use the faster payment scheme.

Show quote history

But sure if you know that funds are unusually slow from your account, you’d mention it along with a screenshot confirming the transfer has happened, rather than just saying the money has transferred and leaving the OP to wonder.

Sennelier1 · 04/04/2023 10:40

If you are a good cleaner - and I think you are - you probably have customers waiting in line for you to come to their houses. No pay? Then don't even go. Even if she promises she will pay the two cleanings now.

NatashaDancing · 04/04/2023 11:58

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2023 10:02

Not all bank use the faster payment scheme.

Show quote history

Which banks are that? All UK mainstream banks, whether "old school" bricks and mortar banks, including the "posh" ones Like Courts, Adam & Co and Hoares, or new online only like Starling use it.

Kazzyhoward · 04/04/2023 12:57

NatashaDancing · 04/04/2023 11:58

Which banks are that? All UK mainstream banks, whether "old school" bricks and mortar banks, including the "posh" ones Like Courts, Adam & Co and Hoares, or new online only like Starling use it.

Show quote history

Yorkshire Building Society say faster payments are usually next day!

https://www.ybs.co.uk/help/payment-guidance

Cater Allen (subsidiary of Santander) say 2 days.

https://www.caterallen.co.uk/support/payment-services/#:~:text=The%20sort%20code%20for%20all,up%20to%202%20working%20days.

Nationwide, next day if instigated prior to 10pm

https://www.nationwide.co.uk/help/payments/transfer-limits-and-timescales/

Payment Guidance | Help & Support - YBS - YBS DXP Prod

What to know when you want to send or receive payments

https://www.ybs.co.uk/help/payment-guidance

gamerchick · 04/04/2023 13:12

NatashaDancing · 04/04/2023 11:58

Which banks are that? All UK mainstream banks, whether "old school" bricks and mortar banks, including the "posh" ones Like Courts, Adam & Co and Hoares, or new online only like Starling use it.

Show quote history

I haven't even got online banking with my building society. What they have available is view only so didn't see the point if you can't move money anywhere.

QueenBeaver · 04/04/2023 13:14

Even if/when the money comes through, I suggest you don’t clean for her again.

NatashaDancing · 04/04/2023 13:20

Nationwide, next day if instigated prior to 10pm

that is if you wanted to schedule a payment to be sent on another day, not payment the same day.

PeonyRose80 · 04/04/2023 13:24

My DH uses IF Bank, they definitely are not instant and even their faster payments can take 24-48 hrs as it doesn’t schedule to go out until next working day, and then another 24 hrs, always comes through around 6pm 48 hrs later.

SchrodingersParrot · 04/04/2023 14:47

not all payments are instant. A very reliable payer of mine told me she'd set up her payment for 1st April (earlier than was needed so there was no bullshit involved) and it showed up in my account today, 3rd.

Could that be because 1st April this year was a Saturday, and hence didn't count as a bank working day?

Kaiserchief · 04/04/2023 17:49

I’m a self employed cleaner too. My payment terms are bank transfer on the day. Late payers are a PITA and I now operate three strikes and you’re out. Its rude and disrespectful. My banking is all automated and late payments from them can mean charges for me.

Dibbydoos · 04/04/2023 18:20

Chase her, it's ooo not to pay. My window cleaner has reminded me a few times cos I send by bank transfer, its not purposeful, I am hideously busy and have a memory like a goldfish at times (I think that's stress related tbh).

toxic44 · 04/04/2023 18:32

If a customer doesn't pay promptly or as agreed, I ask for the bank confirmation that the money has been sent. Also, I don't work for that person again because it's too stressful to be chasing payment. It takes more time and energy than it's worth.

TottyKnickers · 04/04/2023 18:38

She could pay you by PayPal or cash app. Thee are lots of ways to pay, even god forbid cash

SnozPoz · 04/04/2023 19:56

A lot of people will be used to paying all bills at the end of the month, especially if they deal with salaries elsewhere and yes bank transactions can take time to go through. Also some people don't like to pay cash as they don't want to be involved in tax fraud. Give her 48 hours and if it still hasn't gone into your account, then follow up with her. If she has a lot going on she may need prompting. Let her know you expect a weekly payment going forward, not a monthly one.

Noodlehen · 04/04/2023 19:59

Have you got your money yet?

Kaiserchief · 04/04/2023 21:28

I get that people are busy, you’re probably busy too! I always think if they can remember you’re coming they can remember to pay!

LindorDoubleChoc · 04/04/2023 21:33

Bin her off! 2 polite texts were ignored. That's all you need to know ... she will always be trouble.