services rendered. customer stopped payment!

[greedy4chips]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

I don't believe posting stuff/personal information around the web will solve your problem. Even if she does pay because you posted all her information, then what do you do? Remove it, but wait its too late it could have fallen into the wrong hands by now.

I would politely speak with her and let her know that the payment did not go through and see what her response is. If she blatantly lies or slams the door in your face, then proceed with small claims court...afterall you have $180 in services rendered.

She probably slams the phone on many debt collectors, that is why I would take the face to face approach. Ask her for $20 per month or perhaps she could do something for you of equal value in return like yardwork, cleaning the toilet, etc.

[Albies5]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

just take her to small claims court- either she'll pay up for not wanting to be sued - or youll go to court- she obviously knew you charged a service fee because she wrote you checks-- and then stopping payment? this is NOT ok-- i understand this woman may have had financial issues- but that doesnt mean she doesnt have to pay someone for services! id say maybe work on a payment plan like 25 bucks a month- but she obviously cant be trusted- taker her to small claims court- youd for sure win!

[Cheetahwoman7]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Just an FYI, even if you get a judgement in small claims court doesn't mean she'll ever pay you. I had to take a guy to court for the opposite of what happened to you. I had paid him to install a sprinkler system and lawn in my front yard and he took off with the money, never finishing the work.

The judgement was in my favor, but here it is 5 years later and I don't have a dime of my $ back!

The worst thing is, I still see him around AND HE'S STILL DOING YARDS!!!!! Wonder how many other people he's ripped off?

[Daymon]

Re: $0 to post a "be nice"

Thank you all for your posts.

Its funny actually, to read the responses so far.

Apparently, you all seem to forget what I do puts bread on my table.
I fix computers for a living - not for charity.

Then why did you ask if you should forgive and forget? Seems you already have the answer to your question. You could always take her to small claims which isn't all that costly, just time consuming. Your post dated checks are of course your evidence.

[txjman]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

I agree with Daymon, you already had your answer, you were just looking for confirmation.

I also agree that you shouldn't forgive and forget. I think you should take any possible action to regain your money, as long as it costs less than $180.

At the same time you have to understand that these situations are a part of doing business. If this is the first time, count yourself lucky. My father-in-law (and father for that matter) run into people who aren't willing to pay on a weekly basis.

msnln,
I would do nothing more than give advice. I think you are treading on dangerous ground contacting this women.

[greedy4chips]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Just an FYI, even if you get a judgement in small claims court doesn't mean she'll ever pay you. I had to take a guy to court for the opposite of what happened to you. I had paid him to install a sprinkler system and lawn in my front yard and he took off with the money, never finishing the work.

The judgement was in my favor, but here it is 5 years later and I don't have a dime of my $ back!

The worst thing is, I still see him around AND HE'S STILL DOING YARDS!!!!! Wonder how many other people he's ripped off?

Is this a scam by yard workers in general. I know of 3 seperate people who paid for lawns to be put in after their new homes were built and never ever saw 1 seed planted or piece of dirt moved after giving at least $600 up front!

Do people get lawns put in and not pay causing these lawncare contractors to turn the tables on future customers?

[Snoopy2645]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

Well one of your options was forgive & forget which is what I choose for an anwser I choose this because myself & lots of my friends & relatives run business well I dont have an actual business but I babysit & if I do it for a friend I know I will not get paid but if I do it for a total stranger I charge!! My brother has a carlot & works on cars he does this cheap for me because I am his sister my cousins have body shops if my car gets wrecked I can get it fixed at parts cost to them no more!! I have a friend who has a shop for appliances I can get parts for my washer & dryer at cost which is super cheap!! Its just being a friend ya know oh ya one of my best friends husband works on puters as a side job now he worked on mine for free & my other best friend cuts hair she does mine & my kids's for free. However some of these people I give tons of food & HBA products too that I get free in my line of work or with coupons & rebates see we trade things for services sometimes just do it out of the kindness of our hearts!!!

[Crystallas]

Re: $0 to post a "be nice"

Thank you all for your posts.

Its funny actually, to read the responses so far.

Apparently, you all seem to forget what I do puts bread on my table.
I fix computers for a living - not for charity.

I fix computers for a living too(20 years of building non-spec recording studios and servers the size of most peoples homes.) Im not forgetting that what you do pays your bills, im reminding you that you have to be a good neibor, a golden rule of the world. If she had a trade that could help you one day, and you might need that help, you are basically hurting your chances of her ever helping you.


If you want my advise, thats going to be $20 per post.

[Saving in So Cal]

Re: services rendered. customer stopped payment!

If your goal is vindication, then it is probably a futile one. A stopped check doesn't happen accidentally. This person intended to do what she did. That means she has justified her actions in her mind and is not likely to ever feel remorseful about them no matter what you do.

If your goal is to actually collect the money, small claims court is probably your only option. Although the small claims process is an informal one, it will require considerable effort and some expense on your part. Also, as one poster noted, collectibility will almost certainly be a problem. Plus, at the small claims hearing, your customer will get an opportunity to state her side of the story and I guarantee you that you will be blindsided by it. Someone who did what you say she did will not be above shading the truth. She will also be adept at portraying herself as a victim. So, what seems like an easy case, may not be. You have to decide how much angst you want to put yourself through. Although $180 is a lot of money, it probably isn't worth it in the long run.

Your other options are to chalk up to experience, see if you can write it off your taxes, never do business with her again, never do business with someone who can only pay you with postdated checks again, and never do business with friends and neighbors again. These are the options I would recommend. I know the latter recommendation seems especially harsh, but I am a strong believer in it and I know whereof I speak because I, too, make my living as a service professional.

Lastly, you were schnookered by an expert schnookerer and it is natural to be angry and frustrated. I didn't see what has been deleted by the moderators, but it sounds like you were trying to incite some sort of group action against your customer. While it probably seemed like a harmless idea at the time, it is only going to exacerbate your situation. At best, it's in poor taste. At worst, it's tortious and perhaps criminal. The last thing you want is for this woman to have some sort of viable claim against you for defamation or harassment. A better way to vent your anger/frustration is to go to the gym. Once you have gotten past the anger, things will look differently.