What to do if a customer can not pay?

[billdeserthills]

I generally don't furnish the keys until I get paid, or the client signs an 'open account' receipt, but that is just something my Dad
always drilled into me, since I began working in this trade.

Far as the Check Enforcement goes, I know by past experience it will not cover checks with a stop payment placed
upon them, since in AZ the bad check enforcement folks have decided if the client does issue a stop payment, it was
due to shoddy workmanship, so a lawsuit may become your only alternative in some places. So far I have only received
bad checks from a handful of folks who originally had looked like pleased customers & I have never yet lost on a credit card,
even when I was a gun dealer

[name-TBA]

I have a few questions.

Never went out yet, have a Android Phone, Square Credit Card Reader.

1) Is it even possible to verify or check via Square credit card before rolling out? I've literally never used it, only locks Ive open was from friends asking me, slipping me $20. I'm going completely mobile, no shop, so won't have a credit card reader at home. From my understanding, all I can do is charge with that service. Anyone know different?

2) Am I legally entitled to my fee for shoeing up, driving say a hour somewhere odd, if they are not present, or have someone else working on it already, or decline ky services? I'm not certain. I live in the Upper Ohio Valley, border of Ohio, West Virginia, Pa. I'm intending on only working in PA, because its too rural and low paying in the other two areas, and don't care to cut into a small town locksmith's territory in the latter two cases, but I may be tempted with a call someday, and knowing my luck, it will be the dissapointment that proves me right.

3) I won't open a door without looking at a ID, but does anyone ever give you flack for photographing them?

4) So a customer calls you up, says they have a problem, ask for a quote and rough time to expect me. Following the advice in this thread, I then state I require a credit card read out over the phone in advance? For someone with experience doing this, how do you do that segway and phrase it so people are okay with the idea, not put off? I'm not talking tone, but actual dialogue? I would be nervous doing this for anyone myself, I'm more the "you show up, do your work, then get paid, in cash, and a tip" sort of person if I was a customer. I know this sounds silly, but I feel somewhat intimidated by the audacity of demanding it in advance, but don't know how to phrase it positively and diplomatically. I'm sure after a few times getting tricked I won't feel that way anymore, definately see the logic of what everyone is saying, but how do you actually get people to commit to it like it is perfectly normal, reasonable? I'd like to be able to practice the phrases first. Might put it in my ad so I'm not feeling like this looks shady, so that I was upfront about it, give them fine print at the bottom to refer back to. I dunno.

[billdeserthills]

#1) I accept credit/debit cards through Chase Paymentech, over my cell phone so I can't say whether or not square will
allow you to check your client's card for unused funds

#2) Technically upon showing up you can charge your client for a 'service call fee' However if I cannot actually help a
client solve their problem I refuse to accept any money. I have been an established locksmith in my town since my
Dad opened my shop in 1970 and I would rather have dedicated clients than simply take their money

#3) I never photograph anything, I do normally insist on state-issued ID if I am unlocking a door, car or safe & I write
the ID info right onto my bill

#4) This is entirely up to you. My Dad taught me a couple of things that have proved true about successful business
One of the important one's is to Never put a bad taste into your client's mouth, In view of this I refuse to accept
money in advance for a lockout. Sometimes the client will call me 10 minutes after I have left and say "I just got
into my house, car or safe" I say "Thank You" and drive back to the shop/home and I don't charge. Instead I hope
I will get a call from that person, or even a recommendation later & I call that goodwill.

The 'Do Not put a bad taste in your customer's mouth' is a very valid point and it is easy to test an idea or fee you are thinking of--If you wouldn't like being treated in that way, it will surely annoy your client also. Annoying the client is not good business, and I'm sure you can see that. One of the things every successful business needs is lots of happy customers.

[name-TBA]

I'm not too close to a Chase bank right now, had a account out west years ago. I like places I can physically walk into and hand a teller something, and get things fixed in person.

But it is a great idea if more than just a safety deposit box ever opens up nearby.

[billdeserthills]

I'm not too close to a Chase bank right now, had a account out west years ago. I like places I can physically walk into and hand a teller something, and get things fixed in person.

But it is a great idea if more than just a safety deposit box ever opens up nearby.

That's odd, you seem to say you only want to deal with the bank on a face-to-face basis, but you also say you want to use Square to do your credit cards--I do hope you decide which it is before you get too involved

Today I received a statement from my credit card service, it shows that I am being charged $20 a month for some new insurance someone decided to place upon my account without notifying me or receiving my authorization. Last I heard that was against the law. After spending some time on hold and getting annoyed with some so-called customer service people, I wound up at the Bank of (Un)America, the teller there says she'll get me all fixed up, so I avoided having a stroke over that bs

[G-lock]

Today I received a statement from my credit card service, it shows that I am being charged $20 a month for some new insurance someone decided to place upon my account without notifying me or receiving my authorization. Last I heard that was against the law. After spending some time on hold and getting annoyed with some so-called customer service people, I wound up at the Bank of (Un)America, the teller there says she'll get me all fixed up, so I avoided having a stroke over that bs

I had a similar issue. They said that they sent a letter & i was like "screw that remove it!" I generally get along with banks. But i hate arguing with a stranger about my $$$.

As far as what i would do if a customer would not pay. Im not a locksmith but i do own a business & the one thing i know is that if you make a customer mad they will probably tell everyone they know every time they get a chance to about there bad experience with you. If you make a customer happy your lucky if they tell 4 or 5 people. I would probably try to access the situation the best i could before providing the service & if i didn't get paid i would say nothing cut my losses & leave.

[jimu57]

This is a small instance but a friend of mine used to do just automobile lockouts. He charged $40 or so. He had to drive about 15 miles to a truck stop where a couple travelling in a lincoln locked their keys in their car. He opened it in about 1 minute and told them it would be $50 cash. They had a very loud complaint about the price. So, he tossed the keys into the car, locked the door and shut it again, then drove off.

[billdeserthills]

This is a small instance but a friend of mine used to do just automobile lockouts. He charged $40 or so. He had to drive about 15 miles to a truck stop where a couple travelling in a lincoln locked their keys in their car. He opened it in about 1 minute and told them it would be $50 cash. They had a very loud complaint about the price. So, he tossed the keys into the car, locked the door and shut it again, then drove off.

I love his attitude, but want the money too badly to piss off a client that much
I have relocked a door I had just picked after the client admitted to having no money though

[AlwaysLearningDavid]

I always try to give people a break if they're hard up, and try to get to them ASAP in an emergency.

That said, EVERYONE claims to be hard up for money and in an emergency.

Baby Boomers are particularly the worst. They always expect you in 10 minutes and to pay nothing while living in a small mansion.

But when I go to a poor looking apartment complex with a woman with a baby on her hip I definitely try my best to get her the best deal I can.

If someone says they can't pay I call them on their bluff and they suddenly find the money.

Funny how that works.

[billdeserthills]

I always try to give people a break if they're hard up, and try to get to them ASAP in an emergency.

That said, EVERYONE claims to be hard up for money and in an emergency.

Baby Boomers are particularly the worst. They always expect you in 10 minutes and to pay nothing while living in a small mansion.

But when I go to a poor looking apartment complex with a woman with a baby on her hip I definitely try my best to get her the best deal I can.

If someone says they can't pay I call them on their bluff and they suddenly find the money.

Funny how that works.

I used to think I wanted to give folks a break & I did, but then one day I started to wonder who was gonna give me my break? Don't get me wrong, I don't price my work at outrageous levels like some of my competitors, but I need to make a decent living or else there is no point. I just do a lil' car, home, neighborhood check. If I can't afford to buy your car, your house or live in your neighborhood then you are going to pay full price.

However I never charge if I can't help someone with their problem and I think folks who charge a service call fee and do nothing but drive over are scum

[AlwaysLearningDavid]

Agreed.

The last time I gave someone a break was a disabled lady with a crappy 01 Sequoia.

I gave her an initial quote and she exclaimed "Holy S***!" with sadness in her voice.

I ended up replacing her wafers for $70.

Normally that's at least $120.