There should be a list or website somewhere for dodgy customers! too much media attention is put on so called 'rogue traders' and 'cowboy builders' but not one line (i expect) is written on nightmare customers!
The ones who quibble on the AGREED prices once finished or wont pay for any additional works that pop up along the way because - '...I didn't agree to that'... or ...'well was that really necessary'...
If information was up there on some blacklist web site for all to see (i.e. - free, and not a paid service) couldn't these people (customers) have a case for libel/defamation or sue for damages on the grounds of insufficient evidence/circumstantial/not proven or some other BS legal mumbo jumbo?
dynamod wrote:If information was up there on some blacklist web site for all to see (i.e. - free, and not a paid service) couldn't these people (customers) have a case for libel/defamation or sue for damages on the grounds of insufficient evidence/circumstantial/not proven or some other BS legal mumbo jumbo?
Maybe a publicly accessible website listing people with CCJ's against them, the amounts, and the companies or individuals who took them to court.
That might encourage trades-people to use the small claims courts to persue bad debtors rather than just write off the loss, and act as an additional deterrent to customers ripping off their suppliers. And there'd be no libel issues if it's just a factual reporting of what a court has ruled.
If I had provided a written quote and I had fulfilled this to the letter there would be no way on earth that I would not get my money...don't be scared of the small claims court, it's simple to use and people take it seriously if given the option of this or paying up.
If they then feel they have something to defend in court i.e. a counter claim you have a problem!
Mr Toolbag wrote:JK, did you give them a full written quote?
If I had provided a written quote and I had fulfilled this to the letter there would be no way on earth that I would not get my money...don't be scared of the small claims court, it's simple to use and people take it seriously if given the option of this or paying up.
If they then feel they have something to defend in court i.e. a counter claim you have a problem!
Chris
yeah full written quotations, both times. just rubber cheques and bs excuses in return!!
Invoiced yesterday - with '....payment strictly within 7 days.' so we shall see!
If he's already "paid" once by rubber cheque then he'd have a hard job in court disputing the invoice amount.
I'd decline to discuss it with him and say that since it was a full, agreed quotation then the matter will be placed in the hands of your legal advisers with an instruction to persue payment through the courts unless it is settled in full immediately.
No point letting him drag the matter out, he'll only talk you into accepting less - and then he'll have won and will brag to all his mates down the pub about how he beat a tradesman into giving him a discount.
I went to do a quote for someone this week, to replace a kitchen base unit that had been damaged by water. First thing the lady said when I had a look was "I want a written quotation, not a verbal one, as you'll try and bump the price up." "I've been ripped off in the past and I know what you tradesmen are like."
Needles to say, I have not even bothered quoting her.
