chasing up invoices...

[Rickthepick]

anyone else have a big problem with invoice jobs?

Most the time i find myself chasing them up for at least a month.

I have a couple of companies being really unhelpful and haven't paid still after 2 months.

Where do you think i stand legally in removing the locks i have fitted, as they are unpaid for then surely i still own them?

[NanoDuke]

You'll need to refer to the law in your state/country.

Go back and change the locks on them

[unlisted]

Go back and change the locks on them

Could be rather illegal, and considered burglary, or attempted, etc.. prowling, I could go on..

(Although, if your the only show local, would make for a really interesting call from a locked out homeowner..)

I do not recommend doing the small print thou.. see the line above it..

[Rickthepick]

iv heard of builders demolishing house extensions when payment never arises....

dont get me wrong im not chasing up the elderly for a £35 lock, were talking hundreds of pounds from a large company

[NanoDuke]

Yeah you'll need to take it up with the consumer watchdog.
In Australia we have the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission)

"Promotes competition and fair trade in the market place to benefit consumers, business and the community"

[Rickthepick]

The threat of reclaiming the property was enough, il be transfered the money immediately apparently...

you really have to be careful as a small business, the larger companies will do everything they can to delay payment.

[npdaniels]

You said it the big companies are the worst for non payment. I had a couple of jobs I had to call and call and re-fax invoices till I got paid.
One thing I have done now is at the bottom of the invoices I wrote "A 3% charge will be applied to accounts 30 days overdue”. And at the end of the 30 days send out the new invoice with the overdue charge.
Legally if you enter into a contract verbally or in writing it is legally binding. Or you could always take a broken key and insert it into the lock you installed. When they can't get in they will be calling you for help and before any further works gets done ,payment in full up front.

Unlisted is right you could be charged with multiple crimes if you remove the locks from the building.

If it comes down to it, a small claims court suit may have to be initiated and included in the restitution should be all court fees and applicable fees you may have incurred because of the delinquent payment.

Sometimes a visit to the companies office or accounts payable is all that is needed.

I hope this helps.

[unlisted]

Over in Canada, most large corporations have a new 90 day payment- you do not get paid until 90 days later for accounting purposes..

(I am referring to schools, institutions, large business', etc)

[straightpick]

You cannot legally remove the locks once they have been installed. Once you put them on, ownership passes to them. The best way to avoid this is to have payment terms CLEARLY spelled out on your invoices or quotes. You will find that large companies are the most problematic in payment. You will be payed, but on their terms (usually 60 or 90 days). Schools and governmental bodies are a different animal. They usually have monthly meetings, one of the agenda items is to pay all outstanding bills. If you send them an invoice and it doesn't make it for that month's meeting, it won't be paid. You'll have to wait another month. You have to find out how their systems work.

Here's an example. About 15 years ago, I was doing the work for a large company just up the road from me. They always needed keys for file cabinets, desks, etc. A steady stream of 20 - 30 dollar jobs. And they always paid by check, no petty cash. One day I asked them how much it cost them to process the invoices and cut a check. The next time I went there, they paid from petty cash. The comptroller looked into it and found that it cost the company $45.00 to process a check!

[zeke79]

You could go through the courts and put a mechanics lean on them. Basically that would send you any payment they owe you when they have money come in from sales etc depending on how it is set up. It could also be setup that the lein would pay you when they sold the business or the building etc. It works in the US, I assume you have something similar where you are.

[ElAbogado]

anyone else have a big problem with invoice jobs?

Most the time i find myself chasing them up for at least a month.

I have a couple of companies being really unhelpful and haven't paid still after 2 months.

Where do you think i stand legally in removing the locks i have fitted, as they are unpaid for then surely i still own them?

Don't do it. Depending on the jurisdiction, you may have a "mechanic's lien" of some type as protection for your work, but what we are dealing with here is a simple breach of contract. Small claims court in California is good for disputes like this.

A big mistake many locksmiths make is that anyone in business deserves credit. This is simply not the case and a credit application and credit check are in order. You aren't given credit at your supplier without a credit check, why give it to someone who is unknown?

Being a successful locksmith involves two entirely different things. First, you must be a competent locksmith, second, you must be a good businessman. Not mastering both skills will limit your success.

[lock joker]

You said it the big companies are the worst for non payment. I had a couple of jobs I had to call and call and re-fax invoices till I got paid.
One thing I have done now is at the bottom of the invoices I wrote "A 3% charge will be applied to accounts 30 days overdue”. And at the end of the 30 days send out the new invoice with the overdue charge.
Legally if you enter into a contract verbally or in writing it is legally binding. Or you could always take a broken key and insert it into the lock you installed. When they can't get in they will be calling you for help and before any further works gets done ,payment in full up front.

Unlisted is right you could be charged with multiple crimes if you remove the locks from the building.

If it comes down to it, a small claims court suit may have to be initiated and included in the restitution should be all court fees and applicable fees you may have incurred because of the delinquent payment.

Sometimes a visit to the companies office or accounts payable is all that is needed.

I hope this helps.

I have cut off a piece of a Paperclip about 3/4 inch lock and slipped into the lock. When the business calls because the key will not go into the lock, demand payment upfront, magnitize a pick and it will come out easily.

[rontgens]

[quote="Rickthepick"]iv heard of builders demolishing house extensions when payment never arises....

This happened in my home town and I watched it happen, it was quite funny.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/8267763.stm

[yng_pick]

The company I work for has recently instituted a new policy whereas if a company does not have a pre-existing account with us, and would like to be billed for the work, we request a credit card number to hold on file.

[Josh K]

Every invoice should read "Net 30 2% Late Fee" or whatever fee you decide is fair.

As a small business you can't afford to float invoices for companies that aren't paying.