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Home > Archive > alt.certification.a-plus > April 2004 > Perils of getting Paid
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Perils of getting Paid
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| Hi,
I am still new to the Computer Repair field, and have been certified for
a number of years now. Usually when I finish a job I say something like
"I accept Cash and Checks with proper identification". Recently, I did a
repair, and when I was finished the customer gave me $50.00, telling me
that he would give me the other $100.00 in a couple of days when he could
get to the Bank. I wrote out a receipt for the $50.00 and noted that
there was $100.00 remaining to be paid. On a seperate piece of paper I
also detailed everything I repaired and noted that he gave me $50.00 with
a $100.00 balance remaining to be payed by March 2nd 2004
I had him sign this.
Late yesterday, I was in his neighborhood on business so I stopped by to
see if he had the money.
He said he would drop by my office in a couple of hours with the check.
He never showed up.
It doesn't look like I am ever going to see the rest of the money owed to
me by this guy.
I would be interested to find out how others handle situations like this
one. I believe that people are basically honest and good, and almost all
of the repairs I have done usually end on a positive note.(getting paid)
So, my question is: How do the other Computer Techs in this group handle
situations such as this, when it looks like your not going to get paid,
or paid in full. Any suggestions or help appreciated.
Thank You!
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| mark mandel 2004-03-03, 11:24 pm |
|
"Tom" <Tanjes@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1ab06450d70898019896bc@news.chartermi.net...
> Hi,
> I am still new to the Computer Repair field, and have been certified for
> a number of years now. Usually when I finish a job I say something like
> "I accept Cash and Checks with proper identification". Recently, I did a
> repair, and when I was finished the customer gave me $50.00, telling me
> that he would give me the other $100.00 in a couple of days when he could
> get to the Bank. I wrote out a receipt for the $50.00 and noted that
> there was $100.00 remaining to be paid. On a seperate piece of paper I
> also detailed everything I repaired and noted that he gave me $50.00 with
> a $100.00 balance remaining to be payed by March 2nd 2004
>
> I had him sign this.
>
> Late yesterday, I was in his neighborhood on business so I stopped by to
> see if he had the money.
>
> He said he would drop by my office in a couple of hours with the check.
>
> He never showed up.
>
> It doesn't look like I am ever going to see the rest of the money owed to
> me by this guy.
>
> I would be interested to find out how others handle situations like this
> one. I believe that people are basically honest and good, and almost all
> of the repairs I have done usually end on a positive note.(getting paid)
>
> So, my question is: How do the other Computer Techs in this group handle
> situations such as this, when it looks like your not going to get paid,
> or paid in full. Any suggestions or help appreciated.
> Thank You!
You should have full control of the merchandise until you're fully paid.
IOW, keep the computer IN YOUR POSSESSION until you've gotten all the $$$$$
owed to you, then deliver the goods.
Mark Mandell
>
| |
| SBFan2000 2004-03-04, 5:24 am |
| We it comes to your paper work you did good. You gave a "Bill of
sale/service" with a notation of what was paid and what was owed. And you
made him sign a "contract" that stated when the balance was to be paid.
Since you have this documentation you would most likely win if you were to
take him to small claims court, if you decide its even worth it.
The thing you did wrong was releasing the property without full payment!
If you really want your money and you think chasing $100 is something you
want to do, your next step is to send a bill mail with a polite letter.
Then a month later send a more stern letter certified mail and include a
final payment date. (i.e. If this is not paid by xx-xx-xx I will be forced
to seek legal satisfaction) Depending on your state you may be able to sue
for the costs included in collecting. (i.e. postage) Sending your
bills/letters certified proves that he got them so he can't tell a judge he
didn't get them!
In the future make customers sign a work order that details your labor
charges, when and how they pay, and things like late payment fees, returned
checks fees and so on. Make them sign and date it. Then have them sign and
date a copy of the invoice when the work it complete. Then, the LAST step,
give them their property back.
Keep in mind, I'm not a lawyer, just have a degree in business
administration. If your starting a business and are going to be drafting
contracts and dealing with things like this you should talk to a lawyer in
your area. He/she can help you with what should be included in your
contracts and what your options are when people screw you over! Every state
is slighty different and some things I've mentioned may not be useful in
your state, thats why you need a lawyer in your area. Of course, if your
like me and just repair computers in your spare time then a lawyer might not
be affordable. Especially not in an individual case of $100 :-)
God speed
"Tom" <Tanjes@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1ab06450d70898019896bc@news.chartermi.net...
> Hi,
> I am still new to the Computer Repair field, and have been certified for
> a number of years now. Usually when I finish a job I say something like
> "I accept Cash and Checks with proper identification". Recently, I did a
> repair, and when I was finished the customer gave me $50.00, telling me
> that he would give me the other $100.00 in a couple of days when he could
> get to the Bank. I wrote out a receipt for the $50.00 and noted that
> there was $100.00 remaining to be paid. On a seperate piece of paper I
> also detailed everything I repaired and noted that he gave me $50.00 with
> a $100.00 balance remaining to be payed by March 2nd 2004
>
> I had him sign this.
>
> Late yesterday, I was in his neighborhood on business so I stopped by to
> see if he had the money.
>
> He said he would drop by my office in a couple of hours with the check.
>
> He never showed up.
>
> It doesn't look like I am ever going to see the rest of the money owed to
> me by this guy.
>
> I would be interested to find out how others handle situations like this
> one. I believe that people are basically honest and good, and almost all
> of the repairs I have done usually end on a positive note.(getting paid)
>
> So, my question is: How do the other Computer Techs in this group handle
> situations such as this, when it looks like your not going to get paid,
> or paid in full. Any suggestions or help appreciated.
> Thank You!
>
| |
|
| In article <MPG.1ab06450d70898019896bc@news.chartermi.net>,
Tanjes@yahoo.com says...
> Hi,
> I am still new to the Computer Repair field, and have been certified for
> a number of years now. Usually when I finish a job I say something like
> "I accept Cash and Checks with proper identification". Recently, I did a
> repair, and when I was finished the customer gave me $50.00, telling me
> that he would give me the other $100.00 in a couple of days when he could
> get to the Bank. I wrote out a receipt for the $50.00 and noted that
> there was $100.00 remaining to be paid. On a seperate piece of paper I
> also detailed everything I repaired and noted that he gave me $50.00 with
> a $100.00 balance remaining to be payed by March 2nd 2004
>
> I had him sign this.
>
> Late yesterday, I was in his neighborhood on business so I stopped by to
> see if he had the money.
>
> He said he would drop by my office in a couple of hours with the check.
>
> He never showed up.
>
> It doesn't look like I am ever going to see the rest of the money owed to
> me by this guy.
>
> I would be interested to find out how others handle situations like this
> one. I believe that people are basically honest and good, and almost all
> of the repairs I have done usually end on a positive note.(getting paid)
>
> So, my question is: How do the other Computer Techs in this group handle
> situations such as this, when it looks like your not going to get paid,
> or paid in full. Any suggestions or help appreciated.
> Thank You!
>
>
Thanks for the wise words. The points that have been brought up are
all very helpful.
| |
| Barry Watzman 2004-03-05, 12:24 am |
| Ultimately, here are your choices:
1. Keep asking. You MIGHT get it, probably won't.
2. Write a letter asking for it. A bit more formal.
3. Write a letter asking for it, and SUGGESTING that some form of
collection or legal action will be taken if payment is not received.
CAUTION: In many juridictions, threating to sue is itself illegal. But
saying something like "unless payment is received by (date) .... we will
be compelled to begin exploring our legal options for recovering the
amount due" should be ok in MOST places (check with an attorney).
4. Actually take legal action (small claims court, most often), or file
the debt with a collection agency.
It's critical that you have evidence of a "contract", which, from your
description, you seem to have.
Tom wrote:
> Hi,
> I am still new to the Computer Repair field, and have been certified for
> a number of years now. Usually when I finish a job I say something like
> "I accept Cash and Checks with proper identification". Recently, I did a
> repair, and when I was finished the customer gave me $50.00, telling me
> that he would give me the other $100.00 in a couple of days when he could
> get to the Bank. I wrote out a receipt for the $50.00 and noted that
> there was $100.00 remaining to be paid. On a seperate piece of paper I
> also detailed everything I repaired and noted that he gave me $50.00 with
> a $100.00 balance remaining to be payed by March 2nd 2004
>
> I had him sign this.
>
> Late yesterday, I was in his neighborhood on business so I stopped by to
> see if he had the money.
>
> He said he would drop by my office in a couple of hours with the check.
>
> He never showed up.
>
> It doesn't look like I am ever going to see the rest of the money owed to
> me by this guy.
>
> I would be interested to find out how others handle situations like this
> one. I believe that people are basically honest and good, and almost all
> of the repairs I have done usually end on a positive note.(getting paid)
>
> So, my question is: How do the other Computer Techs in this group handle
> situations such as this, when it looks like your not going to get paid,
> or paid in full. Any suggestions or help appreciated.
> Thank You!
>
| |
| Syphillus 2004-03-05, 1:24 am |
|
"mark mandel" <ms@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:qox1c.18184$yZ1.9349@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>
> "Tom" <Tanjes@yahoo.com> wrote in message
> news:MPG.1ab06450d70898019896bc@news.chartermi.net...
a[color=blue]
could[color=blue]
with[color=blue]
to[color=blue]
all[color=blue]
handle[color=blue]
>
> You should have full control of the merchandise until you're fully paid.
> IOW, keep the computer IN YOUR POSSESSION until you've gotten all the
$$$$$
> owed to you, then deliver the goods.
>
The downside to keeping the goods is being at the persons home...
--
Syphillus
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein
| |
| Syphillus 2004-03-05, 1:24 am |
|
"Tom" <Tanjes@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:MPG.1ab16e669ef0202d9896c2@news.chartermi.net...
> In article <MPG.1ab06450d70898019896bc@news.chartermi.net>,
> Tanjes@yahoo.com says...
a[color=blue]
could[color=blue]
with[color=blue]
to[color=blue]
all[color=blue]
handle[color=blue]
> Thanks for the wise words. The points that have been brought up are
> all very helpful.
| |
|
| In article <z1T1c.8638$t16.5478536@newssvr28.news.prodigy.com>,
noone@spam.not says...
>
> "mark mandel" <ms@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:qox1c.18184$yZ1.9349@newsread2.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> a
> could
> with
> to
> all
> handle
> $$$$$
> The downside to keeping the goods is being at the persons home...
An Excellent Point!
| |
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| On Wed, 3 Mar 2004 21:53:57 -0500, Tom <Tanjes@yahoo.com> wrote:
>So, my question is: How do the other Computer Techs in this group handle
>situations such as this, when it looks like your not going to get paid,
>or paid in full. Any suggestions or help appreciated.
> Thank You!
First off, I stay away from home users.
Second, if in doubt, give a fixed price beforehand and ask how they
will be paying. If you get a bad vibe, tell then that you just got
ripped off last month, so you now have a pay up front policy.
If you do get ripped off, collection agencys will give about 30% for
home users. You must, as you have, got good signed documentation.
I would expect to get ripped off once or twice a year, but I've been
lucky up to this point, but as I said, I stay away from home users.
Hope this helps,
--
Paul Whitehead
paulw@rapidcomputer.com
Toronto Area I.T. Support
www.rapidcomputer.com
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