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Original poster

Is the onus on the customer to pay or the Tradesman to chase?

15 replies

SillyTilly123 · 25/04/2014 11:41

Dp has a little gardening business which is doing well. 99% of our customers pay asap, one might take a quick text to remind him (he asked me to do so if he forgot) but one of them takes forever to pay, and we're only talking £15 a time, but they will let it mount up to £75 before they pay adn I hate chasing them for it because it makes us sound deperate for money (which we are lol)

OP posts:

WilsonFrickett · 25/04/2014 12:11

Bit of both. I'm certainly never slow to chase for money - it's what pays the bills after all.

Ask them to pay in advance? Or don't do the second lot of work until the first is paid for?

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 25/04/2014 15:13

Can he collect payment as he leaves? I assume he is on the premises to do the gardening?

People pay cleaners as they leave. With the amounts you are talking about I'd change yr t and c's to payment on the day. It is eating into your profit chasing...

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 25/04/2014 18:38

They are out at work during the day so cannot get it as we leave. They are meant to be paying into the bank tonight, but so far nothing. I feel awful to keep texting to remind as dont want to seem pushy incase they say they dont need us anymore.

OP posts:

MrsMargoLeadbetter · 25/04/2014 21:11

What about telling (just) the late-paying client you have changed your payment terms and that you need them to leave you money on the premises somewhere? When I used a cleaner I left her money out - although I appreciate she had a key to come into the house and I am guessing your DH can get to the garden without going in?

I think the reality is that there are some clients that it isn't worth having. I know that goes against the "earn whilst you can" self-employed mentality. I have dropped a few clients along the way and I have never regretted it.

Look at it this way, your DH could be working for somebody that will pay him on time instead of working for the late/payers who cause extra work and stress.

Don't feel apologetic about chasing. It is really unfair of them to use your DH's services and then not pay for weeks. Your DH is running a SME, he is not a giant corp that can afford to wait for the money.

cakeymccakington · 25/04/2014 21:12

the onus should be on the customer to pay! just like anything else.

quite frankly i'd be honest with them and say you need payment straight away or else he stops working for them.

WhizzFucker · 25/04/2014 21:15

Could you introduce a late-payment fee?

Iworrymyselftosleep · 25/04/2014 21:22

Legally, under the limitations act, it is for the business to bill the customer. It is expected an account will be submitted within a reasonable period after the work, but the period of limitation would be 7 years (think its 7 not 6 - muzzy head) from the work being carried out.

Don't be wimpish - its a business. Be professional and bill

AvoidingEasterDIY · 26/04/2014 06:17

Does he work there regularly enough that you could get them to set up an automatic payment system?

Original poster

SillyTilly123 · 26/04/2014 08:24

I thought about asking them to do a standing order, but the guy is really awkward, you know the kind of man that likes to intimidate everyone, talks over you etc... I might suggest it though if I can catch his wife.

Surprise surprise, no payment last night.
Thanks for the replies.

OP posts:

ginmakesitallok · 26/04/2014 08:30

What are you actually losing though if they say they don't need him any more? It's not as if they are paying????

FunkyBoldRibena · 26/04/2014 08:44

'Hi customer.

We do appreciate your business and have enjoyed working for you.

Unfortunately, due to payments not being made on time, we need to instigate a regular payment plan before we do any more work for you.

The options are:
Leave us the cash each time in an agreed secure place and we will issue you with a monthly cash receipt for both of our records.
Set up a standing order that suits your monthly payment schedule.

If the second option is suitable, please let us know which is the best date on a monthly basis and we will invoice for the interim period and send you the details to set up the ongoing standing order.

We cannot allow this situation to continue as being a small business, late payment rapidly affects our cashflow.

We are happy to meet and discuss a way forward as we really want to resolve this and continue to work for you.

Kindest regards

Your hubby'

LadyGardenersQuestionTime · 26/04/2014 08:46

They are taking the piss and you have to toughen up. This client is an arse and a bully and he's actually stealing from you. You don't need this kind of client, and DP should not have carried on working for him when payment was outstanding.

However, if you've done all this cash in hand with no invoicing, T&C etc then it's inevitable someone is going to take advantage eventually and you don't have a leg to stand on.

If you need the money you're going to have to carry on nagging, but DP would be better off looking for a client who actually pays up.

Just be boringly relentless. These people are in debt to you, not paying you is theft, you've honoured your part of the contract now it's their turn.

If they actually pay up then fire them immediately as clients.

AvoidingEasterDIY · 26/04/2014 08:48

He sounds like a right arse! Why not do what Funky said then you don't have to speak to the twat him. However, you are really just better off without some customers - he's a C customer, it's a good time of year to get a new A customer :)

FunkyBoldRibena · 26/04/2014 08:50

I also run a gardening related business, although it is in the teaching hort area...and if a client was late with a payment [and mine never are] I wouldn't be worrying about what they think about me being strapped for cash, I'd be worrying about why they aren't paying on time and if they can't afford you then don't work for them!

mrsmilesmatheson · 03/05/2014 19:16

I do invoicing for dh's building company. Our terms and conditions say payment within seven days and our invoices have a due date. If we don't have payment by close of business on the due date I send out the following email.

Dear customer

Just a polite reminder that in accordance with our terms and conditions invoice noX is now overdue for payment.

Please arrange payment ASAP or let us know of payment has recently been made.

Regards

Mrs M M

We also make all customers accept quotes in writing agreeing with our terms and conditions.

You would be within your rights to add a % for late payments or refuse to do any more work until payment has been made. As long as it's in your terms and conditions.

You have to be assertive, I'm sure this customer would be, towards you, if he had a problem.

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