Late payment

[Cirrus]

Two weeks ago I was asked by the maintenance manager of a chain of hotels to do some work for him. I did the work - and more, putting extra lights up for free as a sweetener as this was my first job for them and I wanted to make a good impression. I told him that my invoice would state payment due 14 days from date of invoice. Two weeks on and I still haven't been paid. What is more, the group director of maintenance has said that we are not to be used for any future work in the chain because we do not hold NIC approved contractor status - he even said because we do not hold this we are not qualified to work in hotels! Haha. I even have testimonials from the managers of the departments we worked in saying how wonderful we are!

Does anyone have any wording I can use on my reminder to apply a little leverage - perhaps stating that I will apply interest at a daily rate etc. Not interested in working for a company like that anyway, just want our money now.

 

[Andy™]

pay on time

 

[Cirrus]

Hahaha funnily enough, after checking- they do not seem to subscribe to that idea Andy.

 

[nutsy]

Two weeks ago I was asked by the maintenance manager of a chain of hotels to do some work for him. I did the work - and more, putting extra lights up for free as a sweetener as this was my first job for them and I wanted to make a good impression. I told him that my invoice would state payment due 14 days from date of invoice. Two weeks on and I still haven't been paid. What is more, the group director of maintenance has said that we are not to be used for any future work in the chain because we do not hold NIC approved contractor status - he even said because we do not hold this we are not qualified to work in hotels! Haha. I even have testimonials from the managers of the departments we worked in saying how wonderful we are!Does anyone have any wording I can use on my reminder to apply a little leverage - perhaps stating that I will apply interest at a daily rate etc. Not interested in working for a company like that anyway, just want our money now.

Write to them stating that if payment is not received within seven days of receipt of letter (sent by recorded delivery) you will pass it onto your solicitors debt recovery dept and any cost related to recovery will be added to invoice. Have done this once and it worked cos the firm didnt want cj against company name, wouldnt look to good for them.

 

[Evans Electric]

As Nutsy says I think, although outfits like this usually ignore your T& C s and your invoice was probably stamped ," Pay in 30/60 days ".

 

[Cirrus]

As Nutsy says I think, although outfits like this usually ignore your T& C s and your invoice was probably stamped ," Pay in 30/60 days ".

My thoughts, I must admit. However, it clearly states 14 days on my invoice. As they have not raised this as a concern then their silence is surely indication of agreement to my payment terms. In other words, I can start putting pressure on with justification.

 

[Evans Electric]

Yes I agree, I believe that if they don't write back stating their own terms then yours form the basis of the contract.

 

[wozz]

i dont think any large organization has ever paid as per my terms. I just accept it if you want to work for large organizations they will pay you after you have chased them like mad for the money, just reflect this in your price as im sure your competitors will as they will already know how long the *******s take to pay!!!!

 

[Evans Electric]

Cirrus, phone their accounts and ask for a copy of their T&Cs . To be honest, being paid after two weeks would be unusual , nice , but unusual. 30 days is considered good , many go to 60 .

 

[ProDave]

My standard terms on my invoices state payment within 30 days or interest will be charges at 2% above bank base rate (not much at present I know)

I also state that all items installed remain my property until the invoice has been paid in full.

I state that I reserve the right to take all reasonable means to recover an unpaid bill including but not limited to the small claims court.

In practice I've only had one bad payer who kept promising to pay, or the other delaying tactic was to say the cheque was posted this morning (so you then have to wait a couple of days to see if he's telling the truth) With this one I lost patience and phoned him and quite simply stated if the invlice is not paid by the end of the week I will hand the debt over to a debt collection agency. They paid next day.

Actually the debt collection agency is probably your easiest move. When I enquired, they wanted a

 

[Evans Electric]

Good post Prodave, worth taking note of.

 

[steptoe]

Ive never been in this situation,

but,

would the company involved be able to claim that as you agreed to work for them that it would be under their terms and conditions,

only a thought mind.

I have done some work where it was made obvious to me that if I accepted the work their T&Cs toke precedence over mine.

ie, 60days after month end to pay.

 

[Andy™]

if you know they have long payment times, just add a bit more to the job...

 

[a12jpm]

These guys are good.

 

[Andy™]

if you use credit focus, you get free solicitors letters

 

[ITS]

Check out the LATE PAYMENT OF COMMERCIAL DEBTS (INTEREST) ACT 1998. You can charge at Bank of England interest rate plus 8%.

 

[nutsy]

Check out the LATE PAYMENT OF COMMERCIAL DEBTS (INTEREST) ACT 1998. You can charge at Bank of England interest rate plus 8%.

Well done that man, knew about that something like this was around just couldnt remember quite what is was.

 

[Andy™]

Well done that man, knew about that something like this was around just couldnt remember quite what is was.

post 2....

 

[Cirrus]

Thanks guys. I have written a strongly, but professionally worded letter stating the wording of the commercial debts act 2002. I have also stated that as per the act, I am entitled to claim compensation on late debts -

 

[nutsy]

[quote name='Andy