Best Customer Ever

[newb]

My accountant calls and tells me I'm missing a deposit from a customer that I did a job for this spring. The guy had a large lot with alot of trees, and wanted 3 heavy leaner's taken away from his house. The bid was high (for him) so I told him he could make 3 payments. Six months later I find out I lost a check. Nothing to lose I call him. Phones are disconnected. Get a hold of his neighbor and find out he moved from Wisconsin to Maryland. This is getting worse. Neighbor gives me his e-mail address and I send him a note asking him to check if his bank cashed all checks, because I know he sent all of them to me. He contacted me today and tells me one check was not cashed and if I send him the invoice he will get it in the mail. This from a guy who I will never see again, was clearly my mistake, and really owes me nothing if he doesn't want. Gives me faith for another year. Pete

 

[mndlawn]

Your lucky, most would say screw off. Good for you though. What kind of numbers are we talking, under or over a grand?

 

[newb]

Just under

 

[Ellistrees]

Just goes to show there is still good people out there.

 

[treevet]

nice story

 

[Toddppm]

Damn you guys are jaded. I wouldn't say most people would screw you over, yes there are some scum out there that would if they could but most WOULD pay up.
And yes I got bit about 3 times last year.

 

[RAG66]

I have been doing it for 15 yrs total and have come close to getting the short, but have been able to correct the problem with some gentle persuading.... really though I think most people that are smart enough to call a professional to work at thier home are going to be decent enough to pay. It is scary to not hear from the guy for a few days or weeks or longer. I had a problem with someone wanting to go out 90-120 days on a commercial bill for about $2000.00 I knew it was BS when I found out how big the company was. They cut me a petty cash check when I objected to the terms. Now they are belly up near as I can tell.

 

[treemandan]

And on the other side:

Our oil tank was filled about a month ago. Its a 275 gal tank, it was at 1/4 when they filled it back to the top, we got a bill for 10.95.
We sent them a check right away.

I suppose they will catch it, I expect they will. I don't mind paying actually, I mean it seems fair to pay for oil... and at the price they charged me what else can I say?

 

[Toddppm]

Was cashing a couple checks for myself the other day at my bank, the girl tried to give me $500.00 too much. Counted it out and was getting ready to hand it to me when I told her.
They would have found out with their systems I'm sure but could they have proved it? Maybe, maybe not.
Coincidentally day later I had to get an exhaust manifold fixed on one of the trucks was quoted almost $500 to fix after it failed inspection but they told me to try the dealer, was out of warranty by a couple thousand miles, they fixed it free.
What comes around goes around.

That's why I won't worry about the scum who screwed me out of a few hundred last year, they'll get their misery paid back somehow.

 

[treevet]

Was cashing a couple checks for myself the other day at my bank, the girl tried to give me $500.00 too much. Counted it out and was getting ready to hand it to me when I told her.
They would have found out with their systems I'm sure but could they have proved it? Maybe, maybe not.
Coincidentally day later I had to get an exhaust manifold fixed on one of the trucks was quoted almost $500 to fix after it failed inspection but they told me to try the dealer, was out of warranty by a couple thousand miles, they fixed it free.
What comes around goes around.

That's why I won't worry about the scum who screwed me out of a few hundred last year, they'll get their misery paid back somehow.

Yeah, if you go after them in court you waste the time and associated money you would be making while in court, which is probably more than you recoup.

If you go after them with another means (say baseball bat) you lower yourself to their level.

I could tell stories for hours but one involved a NY City scum trying to screw me out of a couple grand. At my young age I took a very aggressive tact. The guy during the course of this, at age 40, died from a heart attack. No one pursued me and I got a portion of what I was owed through the BBB.

 

[Toddppm]

ooof that's rough, instant karma.

 

[teamtree]

That is a great outcome. Most people are understanding and will cut you a new check.

However, if you would ever come across the situation again and the customer does not give you a new check....legally you are entitled to the payment for the services. As long as you don't tell him to make the check out to cash or sign it before you lose it.

I have had it happened to me a few times but the customer has always cut a new check. I always paid for a stop payment on the original check as well.