Has a customer ever refused to pay you?

Scott-I gave back the check for two reasons. One, he could put a stop payment on it so it would be worthless anyway and two, he was such a scumbag towards his wife that didn't want her to return home empty handed and have to deal with the jerk.
 
It is technically illegal to put a stop payment on a check that you have used to pay for something without good reason. I had a customer pull that BS once on me after they left with their vehicle and my Dad (former banker) simply explained that if we did not have the cash in hand to replace the cancelled check within 24 hours we would report the guys business (from whom he wrote the check) to the bank he deals with, the credit bureau and file a small claims action. We had the money in under 1 hour.
 
I understand, Scott but like I said, I was also worried about how he would treat his wife if she came home without the check.
 
Scottwax said:
I understand, Scott but like I said, I was also worried about how he would treat his wife if she came home without the check.
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It's possible she was in on it with him. There are people out there (I know several of them), who will do whatever it takes to keep from paying full price, or to get out of paying for something altogether. They consider everyone who pays full price for everything suckers. I've heard their stories of them developing elaborate schemes, including involving their wives, to get out of paying for things.



It's also possible he would have beat his wife for coming back empty handed. He was obviously too big of a coward to face you himself and that's the classic example of a wife beater. Most of them are afraid of their own shadow.
 
I hear what you are saying Scott. I probably wouldn't have considered the consequences of her not coming back with the check but all things considered that really isn't your problem. If I were in the same situation I would have just cashed the check and forgot about the idiot because I refuse to let people take advantage of me. Doesn't matter the amount of money either. People will walk all over you if you give them a chance.
 
Originally posted by mirrorfinishman

I have never had a customer refuse to pay and I would never expect my customers to sign any type of form for my services.
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NY detailer said:
Well, then you are just asking for a possible headache. I go over each vehicle with customers I do not know and write all damages down using a check in sheet. It goes over the complete condition and says on the sheet that payment is due once the vehicle is completed or the vehicle will not be released.



In business you need to cover your butt.
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I agree with both of you My philosphy is a mixture of both of yours on this issue.



What I do is walk around the vehicle go over expectations and tell them basically what the finsihed product will be and make sure that their expectations are realistic. If not then we discuss it see if they still wish us to proceed and I give then a flat price. If I get a "vibe" I will ask for payment up front.
 
I was going through some old threads and came across this one. I figured I would bump it up to get more views as well as replies to it. It is a good thread for all to see and reply to.

Let's see what others have to say.
 
I've been lucky and haven't had this happen yet.



I don't know what i would do if it did.



Things that come to mind. Key it,slash a tire,smash a window, after he has forgotten about it. Of course these are things the old me would do. I'm past thoses days and i'd probably just forget about it and put the customer on my black list.
 
I run a profesional legitimate business and before I started my business I was an ASE certified master tech at a VW dealership. I run my business as a dealership is ran. Before working on a car I get a signed work order with all the info regarding the client and the vehicle and estimate. First reason is to cover myself in case of non payment, which unfortunalty theres all kinds of scammers out there. And secondly to cover myself in case something goes wrong with the vehicle. If I would have to file a claim with my insurance and not have a signed work order, I dont believe they would cover me.



Also I have very strict rules when working for someone. If its a first time client and they are not recomended by someone I know I will ask for a deposit of payment before I work on the vehicle. And if it is a drive of more than an hour I want a deposit even before I head out to the location if its a first timer. I accept credit card payments thru my website and also on location via my laptop with wifi. To some it might sound extreme, but my time is money and thats exactly what I tell people.



In my previous website I had a statement that said " I value my time and my customers time, if you dont value my time please do not call." For me it has worked in avoiding bad clientele and only have serious people that understand the value I provide call on me. I follow the rule of "I choose my customers, my customers dont choose me." From my experience price shoppers, hagglers and non payers usually go hand in hand.
 
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