Unpaid Invoice - Help With Letter

[joko]

Hi Can anyone give me some good wording and phrases that I can include in correspondence to someone who had not paid me for work I did 6 months ago.

I dont want to get too heavy or nasty - he has tried to be nice and explained that it is the fault of others that have not given him the money he was relying on to fund the project, and he has constantly asked us to hang on a bit longer - but that date gets longer and longer... i agreed to wait 3 months - and that is stated in the contract, but its now 7 months, and hes still saying he has no money... he keeps apologising and saying he doesnt blame us wanting to sue but fact is he has nothing to give us, so it would be a waste of time.

i do 'sort of' believe him, that the issues are real - bit i think it is his own arrogance and idiocy that has caused this, going ahead with the project before they had properly agreed to it. he also seems to say slightly different things to different people ... so its hard to know whats true and what just fobbing off.
problem is he is waiting on payment from a massive massive multinational company - so i cant undertsand why they would be being so lax etc with this - especially if they had previously agreed to pay, as he claims - this money is small fry to them really. (i know he is genuinely dealing with them)

i just want some information and good phrases etc to make sure he knows I intend to launch legal proceedings if he doesnt pay soon...i want it to look like i am reiterating what my solicitor has said to me.

also can I add late fees to the amount? if so at what rate?
I wont do that, but i want him to think i could if i wanted too.

I do intend to see a solicitor soon if hes doesnt pay, but for the moment I just want to make him think i am further along with it, and hopefully worry him into paying up.

Thanks

[Maydup]

Time to stop being understanding and reasonable joko. I stongly advise you to invest in half an hours legal advice to recoup the money promptly. Maybe join forces with the rest of the crew to strengthen the case and to get value for money.

If he goes into administration you will at least be an official creditor and not one of many people in his contacts who he may or may not owe money to.

[tamborine]

Give him a definite date for payment or court action - add this to end of letter

http://www.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://cloud.graphicleftovers.com/31763/1000096/cartoon-man-begging-mercy.jpg&;imgrefurl=http://graphicleftovers.com/graphic/cartoon-man-begging-mercy/&;h=500&w=500&sz=112&tbnid=LBqksUPNJOXugM:&tbnh=90&tbnw=90&zoom=1&usg=__D73eHCpbhyH7_fat10bj2Gjk24w=&docid=QI3kY4rjJqAJrM&sa=X&ei=XswkUaDFJ8bB0QXQ9YGYDw&ved=0CD4Q9QEwBA&dur=346

[Zacs-Master]

JOKO, You can issue an official legal money claim via this gov't website. It costs £210 but should be well worth it.

https://www.gov.uk/make-money-claim-online

[ojread2]

Zacs links it for you

Money Claim On Line

Gives you step by step 'what to do's' inc, I believe a letter before action

Look on Money Saving Expert, there should be some template letters on there if not, I know where you can find one FoC quite easily

[EvianBaby]

Stop being nice to him, it's done you no favours so far. In fact it gives the impression that you're a pushover.

Send him a letter saying if you don't receive payment by 'X' date then you will begin proceedings, for which he will incur charges. Then do it.

[EvianBaby]

I've used this company before.

http://www.thomashiggins.com/default.aspx

They send out a letter for £2. I often find people take it more seriously if the letter comes from an external company.

[murraymints]

Methinks you are being played......go for it...good luck