What to do if a customer can not pay?

[GWiens2001]

I saw on southpark where cartman likes to "rochambeau for it" He begins by kicking his opponent right square, in the nuts.
His opponent then has the option to return the blow & whoever falls down first loses. I just think it can easily be applied here,
plus since the customer has likely not heard of this You will gain the upper hand (first kick)

Unless they are a Southpark fan, and they accept by taking the first kick.

Gordon

[billdeserthills]

I saw on southpark where cartman likes to "rochambeau for it" He begins by kicking his opponent right square, in the nuts.
His opponent then has the option to return the blow & whoever falls down first loses. I just think it can easily be applied here,
plus since the customer has likely not heard of this You will gain the upper hand (first kick)

Unless they are a Southpark fan, and they accept by taking the first kick.

Gordon

Actually this is listed by Wikipedia under Roshambo, so it is common knowledge, which should give the aggrieved party the first kick

[Jburgett2nd]

I saw on southpark where cartman likes to "rochambeau for it" He begins by kicking his opponent right square, in the nuts.
His opponent then has the option to return the blow & whoever falls down first loses. I just think it can easily be applied here,
plus since the customer has likely not heard of this You will gain the upper hand (first kick)

Yes yes, i've seen this, also a good idea, services offered for the entertainment of kicking someone right square in the nuts! May the return customers roll in!

[MatrixBlackRock]

To some extent this can be factored in to your pricing structure similar to a retailer's inventory shrinkage costs.

Thats a pretty good idea. I like to think that the majority of people aren't out to rip everyone off.

Most people are not, however, desperation can cause some to do stupid stuff and being locked out qualifies as such.

Back when I was working with residential alarm systems, come winter, like clockwork, the calls would come in from subscribers who "thought" they had the correct code to disarm their alarm system in the winter home, but that code didn't work.

Either I or the CS would make it quite clear, yes we can quickly get a tech out there and solve that problem, but there will be a $X charge to do so, given the fact the alarm system would go back into alarm, after timing out, every time a door was opened or a internal motion tripped, the subscriber who was "on the phone" more than happy to agree to pay the fee for a truck roll.

Either I, or one of my techs would arrive at the prem, go into the programming of the alarm panel using the installers code and then pull the subscribers code(s).

However, many times once the subscriber, again had control of the system and their access codes, they would pitch a about the truck roll fees, to which I or the tech would offer a considerably higher monthly monitoring fee, which included quarterly truck rolls and system inspections.

No one took up the upsell and these where subscribers who didn't have to pay a dime at the time, they would be billed for the truck roll on the next quarterly bill.

Now how does this relate to your question, the answer is, if I had billing pushback from existing, paying, accounts, why would you want to put yourself in that place for a one time payment?

Na, pre-qualify, get an authorization and then work the job.

Also, as for absorbing the immediate loss and building it into future sales that will only make you less competitive, in what is already tight market.

Wayne

[MatrixBlackRock]

He also stopped taking checks from people he didn't know.

Never, ever take a check, unless it comes from a 30 day billing customer, or a person who know personally, like your mother.

The only exception to this is, if you subscribe to a service where you can swipe or scan the check and get a authorization that it passes a DDA payout.

Wayne

[billdeserthills]

Wayne, I hear what You are saying, in fact I have had trouble with my internet connection and twice went ahead and let the billing folks upcharge me for "line security" where the phone company charges me a monthly fee to insure the phone lines inside my dwelling, which for some reason covers the cost of sending out a tech, in the event that my internet stops working. Here is how it works, I agree to pay this upcharge and then the next day I call back and order a tech to come out, at no cost to me, since I ordered the insurance the day before. The tech comes out and both times, realized that nothing was wrong with my interior phone lines and fixed the trouble, which was the phone companies problem anyhow. Last time a rat had eaten wiring outside in the box. I always cancel the insurance after the problem is fixed, so it costs me nothing which is exactly how much I should be paying to have my internet working properly anyhow.


As far as taking checks goes, here in Arizona we have a bad check enforcement division. They have almost always gotten my money back and cost me nothing. I take checks all the time, if I am doing work in Your home without a worry as to the check being good. Now taking a check for unlocking a vehicle is different, I have received bounced checks then, still the bad check enforcement program will do their best to find bad check writers and the punishment is severe. Last I heard it was a $200 fine, and a special 8 hour class teaching bad check writers just how to properly keep their checking account balance in order.

A couple of times now, the county has sent out an officer of the court with (6) driver license photos blown up in size in order for me to do a "photo line-up" I successfully ID ed both bad check writers and they were both taken to court by the county & sued into submission!

[Jburgett2nd]

Most people are not, however, desperation can cause some to do stupid stuff and being locked out qualifies as such.

Back when I was working with residential alarm systems, come winter, like clockwork, the calls would come in from subscribers who "thought" they had the correct code to disarm their alarm system in the winter home, but that code didn't work.

Either I or the CS would make it quite clear, yes we can quickly get a tech out there and solve that problem, but there will be a $X charge to do so, given the fact the alarm system would go back into alarm, after timing out, every time a door was opened or a internal motion tripped, the subscriber who was "on the phone" more than happy to agree to pay the fee for a truck roll.

Either I, or one of my techs would arrive at the prem, go into the programming of the alarm panel using the installers code and then pull the subscribers code(s).

However, many times once the subscriber, again had control of the system and their access codes, they would pitch a <censored> about the truck roll fees, to which I or the tech would offer a considerably higher monthly monitoring fee, which included quarterly truck rolls and system inspections.

No one took up the upsell and these where subscribers who didn't have to pay a dime at the time, they would be billed for the truck roll on the next quarterly bill.

Now how does this relate to your question, the answer is, if I had billing pushback from existing, paying, accounts, why would you want to put yourself in that place for a one time payment?

Na, pre-qualify, get an authorization and then work the job.

Also, as for absorbing the immediate loss and building it into future sales that will only make you less competitive, in what is already tight market.

Wayne

Right I definitely understand what your saying and if I ever become more than a one man operation, or break into alarm systems I will look back on these tips. As far as accepting checks, I don't think that is something I want to do. Even if I can get my $ back it seems like more of a hassle than taking cash or card. Though I've been told to be wary of customers that say they only have cash.

[billdeserthills]

I just got jacked and it wasn't like the guy couldn't pay me either. I got a call cause the key would no longer turn on the ignition for a 2004 Ford F 150 p/u.
I started by cutting a copy of the original key, but a bit higher, hoping that it would turn on the ignition, then I discovered the tip of the key was gone.
Eventually mr screwdriver wanted to get involved along with my crescent wrench and I got the lock turned to on. Unfortunately I'm guessing this particular
lock doesn't allow the retainer to release at "on" anyhow, & at that point my drill insisted it was her turn, so after drilling a place for the retainer to go, the
lock was only too happy to be pried out from the column. I then took a new replacement lock and keyed it up to his junky broken key, cause the guy obviously
didn't want to spend anymore money than I had quoted and I installed that into his car. At that point it became obvious to me that the real problem was with
his ignition switch, which is directly below the ignition lock. The guy let on as to how I musta messed up his wiring somehow and I explained that no wiring
was required to be removed in order to remove the ignition lock. Well he says, "I'm awful sorry but now I'm gonna have to get a tow truck & I won't be able to
pay you," then he got into a different vehicle and drove off. I removed the new lock and put away my tools and left. I was kinda pissed off and I will admit many
ideas for revenge were running through my thoughts. I know my Dad, at a minimum would have locked both doors and broken keys off inside the locks. Thing is
I really don't feel like it is my job to fix this guy and so I decided to leave that up to whoever that job does belong too. I trust that Karma will bring him all that
he is due.

[MatrixBlackRock]

I know my Dad, at a minimum would have locked both doors and broken keys off inside the locks. Thing is I really don't feel like it is my job to fix this guy and so I decided to leave that up to whoever that job does belong too. I trust that Karma will bring him all that he is due.

Good decision, and while I understand where your Dad was coming from, doing such doesn't really gain you anything.

Wayne

[Jburgett2nd]

I will admit many
ideas for revenge were running through my thoughts. I know my Dad, at a minimum would have locked both doors and broken keys off inside the locks. Thing is
I really don't feel like it is my job to fix this guy and so I decided to leave that up to whoever that job does belong too. I trust that Karma will bring him all that
he is due.

Yeah sometimes it's best to let things go...Though I have managed to acquire a tire boot, not going to get into how that came about but my first thought was boot it boot it good.

[nick08037]

I really don't feel like it is my job to fix this guy and so I decided to leave that up to whoever that job does belong too. I trust that Karma will bring him all that he is due.

Words to live by!

[Just_4_Fun]

I have mastercard/visa on my phone, but not interact.
I have shown up to unlock a door in a "trendy" "old" neighborhood where the posers and tree huggers live.
This guy claimed to be, and likely was, a football player for our local team, transplanted from another city or state.
When I got the door open and re-confirm the price, he says he only has 1/3 of that in cash and doesn't use creditcards.
That's a lie.
So he wants me to follow him in his Volco to the 7-11 ATM to withdrawl some cash.
So not wanting give this deucebag a discount, i agree and off we go.
I thought for sure he was going to bolt.

We get there, he goes in, comes out with a slurpee and a pre-made sub (yuck) and tells me he could only withdrawl $40, and I can take or leave it.
I took it and wrote off the suburb as jerks. I don't do work for them because this is not the first time I've had problems there.
Often I have done work there, and after the work is done and inspected, they agree the work is done as asked, but the price quoted over the phone was too much and think it reasonable to renegotiate the bill, and have quotes from other places at lower prices.

I had one lady in a downtown apartment (who was entertaining three large men who said THEY were local home team football players) tell me the money or cheque book was in here room down the hall and come with her so we are away from her guest while concluding biz.
We get to her room, the light switch doesn't turn the lights on, and is trying to drag me to her bed.
I said no, not "working it out" and demanded a cheque, which bounced. four months later, she forgot she'd called us and called us out again. We went but knowing what she owed, I met her inside he apartment, explained she had to pay what she owed, and in advance for the work she was about to do. She gave me a cheque, I called it into the office, who called her bank, NSF!!!
I left and wrote off people who play football from our local team as jerks as most of them are not from our city.

Typically, I just take what I can get and go.

[cledry]

If it is a car opening or residential opening we require a credit card over the phone before going out. If they are gone or already in then we collect our service call. It usually stops folks from calling 3 or 4 locksmiths and telling them all to come out.

[billdeserthills]

One nice thing about Arizona is in my county we have a bad check enforcement agency that is run by the county. They are now at the point where if
you submit a bad (NSF) check to them, they will pay you $35, if you agree to prosecute, which I always do. Then they will send you a
constable, he will have 6 blown-up (larger) drivers license pics and you will be asked to pick out the one who wrote the bad check. I
have had several checks bounced on me & i almost always get the money, unless there is a "stop payment" placed on the check

[CapeCodLocksmith]

If it's a car job they get a Club on their steering wheel. Most people will pay at that point, knowing their vehicle has been rendered useless and they will have to call another locksmith to get the Club open.

The boot idea sounds good too, if I can find one.

For residential, there usually is not a problem. Most people have better sense than to try and stiff a locksmith in their own home...

The handful of stories I've heard have centered around not giving the new keys until the customer pays. If a customer is sketchy (drugs / bad neighborhood) I will take a picture of their drivers license. Even bad people do not want to mess around if they can be identified to police.

Most counties have a Bad Check program by the DA, so if you write down their Drivers License # and DOB, and they will prosecute the bad check writer and get your money. Only had one bad check this year so far, and the husband claimed it was an accident (NSF) and put a new check in the mail the next day, including a $30 bounced check fee.