­
How To Get Money From Non Payers in The AnswerBank: Business & Finance
Donate SIGN UP

How To Get Money From Non Payers

Avatar Image
HongKongphooey | 16:34 Mon 20th Jan 2025 | Business & Finance
17 Answers

Last yr my husband who's an Electrician did some work in June for a Couple in our town. Anyway to cut a long story short, 1 invoice and 3 reminders later we were still waiting for the £1100 owed in November. I warned them I would hand it over to debt collectors but that threat didn't work.

My husband hates dealing with customers that don't pay, ) luckily 99% of people pay. He won't ring or speak to them, he just buries his head in the sand and pretends it isn't happening. I confronted them but the woman just said they'd been away, but I could tell  she was smirking at me. So I asked the debt collectors to chase them. It worked but we lost £300 + in fees. They have nice detached house and a Jag in the drive, and they are on holiday alot. Now just before Xmas my husband, who's a really decent guy but doesn't see the bad in anyone has done another job for this couple. I wasn't happy to put it mildly but 3 weeks on from sending the invoice they haven't paid. This time it's only £550 but I don't know what to do. Please don't suggest small claims court cos I've tried that in the past and gave up cos it was so complicated ( got no help to understand the forms) If I use debt collectors again it's gonna work but we'll loose alot in fees. I've argued with my husband over this & he says he'll speak to them but I know he'd rather loose the money than ever do that.  It's a matter of principle and he's such a decent guy who does an excellent job, I hate to see people take advantage of him. Any suggestions would be appreciated TIA

Gravatar
Rich Text Editor, the_answer

Answers

1 to 17 of 17rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by HongKongphooey. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.

Try this

A warning of possible small claims court action is a formal letter, called a "letter before claim" or "letter before action", that informs someone that court proceedings may be taken against them. 

When to send a letter before claim 

Before starting a small claim 

If you've already written to the person or business to complain 

If you're trying to get money back from someone 

If you're trying to resolve a problem with goods 

What to include in a letter before claim

The amount you're owed and what it's for 

A warning that you'll start a claim if the money isn't paid 

Relevant dates and invoice numbers 

A reasonable amount of time for the other party to reply 

A statement that you'll take court action if they don't reply within the given time 

What happens if you don't send a letter before claim? 

The court may disallow interest that would normally be awarded 

What to do next if the letter before claim doesn't resolve the problem 

Fill in a form to start your small claim 

 

I think you missed this bit of the OP, DDIL

"Please don't suggest small claims court cos I've tried that in the past and gave up cos it was so complicated ( got no help to understand the forms) ...."

Have you spoken to Citizens Advice to see if they can give you help in completing and understanding the forms?

My dad used to write to non-payers on a post card - 'Please pay the balance of £1100 outstanding from 10th November within 4 weeks.  This is the final reminder before court action'.  

Sadly he would address it to the next door neighbour's house by mistake.  It always worked, not sure it would today

I thought debt collectors added their fees to the debt they are collecting.

Anyway small claims is the way, it's really very simple and they'll pay up before it gets anywhere near court.

Tell him to get money up front next time.

I was going to say something simliar Barry, embarrassing people into paying usually always works but not sure how easy it would be to do that these days.

A formal letter threatening court ation if not paid may be helpful, even if it's not a route you want to go down. The debt collector threat didn't help you said, but court judgements may be taken more seriously?

Agree that citizens advice could help with court forms. 

 

I didn't miss it at all Barry.

this is a pre letter and maybe enough to scare them into paying.

Does he issue certs before payment?

I also think the small claims route is the best way to go if you can get help or just have another go.

 

I've been to the small claims court three times, twice they paid up before the hearing & the third one I won - I didn't find it complicated at all.

Question Author

Thanks all. I will send letter threatening court action and see what happens. In answer to Ryzen, yes we do normally give certs with the invoice, but these jobs didn't require a Certificate.

//// not sure it would today ////

It could possibility get you into trouble today. Way back in the 70s the TV people used to emblazon the outside of their reminder envelopes with "outstanding" legends but they eventually got pulled up for it and had to desist.

Have to ask...why on Earth did he do another job for them? Does he enjoy the hassle and stress?

What electrical work did he do in the house? 

I think you should put together and submit an invoice (payable within 14 days) for all outstanding debt plus all your costs plus compensation, add details of a late payment fee, then after 14 days get CAB to help you with a Small Claims Court action.

OK, I recognise that's a hassle, but that's just what the bustards are relying on. Don't let them get you down.

1 to 17 of 17rss feed

Do you know the answer?

How To Get Money From Non Payers

Answer Question >>

Related Questions

Sorry, we can't find any related questions. Try using the search bar at the top of the page to search for some keywords, or choose a topic and submit your own question.

Complete your gift to make an impact