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- 14,287
- Location
- Cornwall
You can’t go straight to court you have to go to mediation first it’s a total waist of time and putting good money after bad best to just right it off and move on although it’s very frustrating to do that .
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Burned by customer . . . What would you do?
- Thread starter Dodotop
- Start date
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- Messages
- 9,569
- Location
- Teesside
I believe you have to be careful what you say to these people. I wouldn't recommend telling her you will tell anyone you see cleaning her windows about her dishonesty.
Some really know how to play the system and we are part of the system.
At one time we have all been caught by these people. I have. I have been caught twice in 20 years. (Our annual bad debt is also very low.)
About 5 years after the first one caught me, he tried again. He didn't recognise me and I had a different van. I called him by his name and told him that as he still owes me money, there is no way I was going to clean his windows again for free.
The amount involved was very small when compared to what other trades stand to lose and have to put up with.
Dwelling on what they have done effects our health, not theirs, as they see their non payment for a service they received as an achievement.
- Messages
- 4,427
- Location
- Gloucestershire
I had this the other day. The van currently isn’t sign written. Fella walks up to me and said can I give him price for his. I said “I can’t Dave because you didn’t pay us last time”. Colour drained out of his face, it was hilarious
- Messages
- 4,427
- Location
- Gloucestershire
If someone can’t let it go I think you just take some soapy water and smear it on the front windows and walk away. There’s no one doing anything about that. If you post it to social media you then have a right of reply
- Messages
- 9,569
- Location
- Teesside
Sometimes catching someone at their own game is priceless.I had this the other day. The van currently isn’t sign written. Fella walks up to me and said can I give him price for his. I said “I can’t Dave because you didn’t pay us last time”. Colour drained out of his face, it was hilarious
It's as though they do it so often that they forget who they have taken for a ride in the past.
mattybondi
Active member
- Messages
- 37
have soaped up the windows too and it feels well worth it. but one that sticks in my mind was a 300 notes job,it really was the way they did it that caused me to over-react actually ended up costing them 10k praps more
DansClearView
Well-known member
- Messages
- 88
Had one customer wind me right up in the early days. Got to a 3rd monthly clean before she got square (£12 a pop mind). We parted ways, I didn't message, she didn't ask. Then she messages me out of the blue, wanted top windows done (4 in total). Made sure I priced it worthwhile and, against my better judgement, said I'd do it as I was due to do the one opposite. Blanked me afterwards and the reminder messages. Called by and got the cash of her partner. Messaged her and got a thank you message straight back 
. Won't be going there next time, lesson learned.
. Won't be going there next time, lesson learned.
mattybondi
Active member
- Messages
- 37
had an ex custy of mine tex me today"sorry i missed your call,see you tomoro" .As it happens iv not rang anyone for ages not even any of my workers -so this was a try on on her part-hoping im desperate for work?? must be 6 yrs since i was down her road i should have replied ",ok,see you tomoro"- then not turn up - or turn up and pee on her wallflowers as she opens the door?
