Help Customer Wont Pay!

[H.E.D]

what can i do when a customer wont pay. i detailed for this person about three months ago and refuses to contact me about paying i even visited his moms house and says she doesnt know anything what can i do take him court? any advice from the mobile detailers in business

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

How old are you? If you are a legal minor, then a small claims case must be filed by your parent or legal guardian. The cost to file a claim will vary by your state and municipality, but google a search for your town and key words like "small claims court". The address you're looking for should have a .gov at the end.

Was your contract oral or written? If you have a written contract, you can turn the bill over to a collections agency. Many people opt tp pay rather than face a collection. This will cost you a percentage of the fee you're seeking to collect, or the agency may have a set fee that might make a collection too costly.

If the contract was oral consider the following: Did you document your work (before and after photos). Can you prove that you spent X amount of hours working on your customer's car? You as the plaintiff will have the burden of proof. Anything that will substantiate your claim must be provided in hard copy by you. If you have proof via text messages or e-mails, print them out. The judge or arbitrator assigned to your case will not do it for you at court. Witnesses must be in court with you, many small claims will not accept a witness statement, even notarized ones.

[H.E.D]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

hi and thanks. im 21 years old the agreement was verbal i only have text messages and stop taking pictures of his vehicles he would always pay late yeah but it was a for sure until now i really dont understand why hes doing this i know money is not and issue for him,but thanks im already googling.

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

hi and thanks. im 21 years old the agreement was verbal i only have text messages and stop taking pictures of his vehicles he would always pay late yeah but it was a for sure until now i really dont understand why hes doing this i know money is not and issue for him,but thanks im already googling.

n/p. I thought you might have been a minor based on your statement about visiting his mom's house. Since you're 21 you can bring teeth to this collection. Consider what he owes you and balance out to determine if it makes sense to pay the court costs, missing a day of work, etc. You can't recover court costs in a small claims action, only the contested amount. You can try to recover other expenses like lost wages due to the court action, but it has to be quantifiable (documented in printed form).

Good luck!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

One last caveat: The before and after photos may be very key here, I hope you have some. Your client may counter that you did not deliver the results you promised and unless you have those photos, it will be his word against yours. Consider if a court backlog doesn't not allow your case to be heard for several weeks or even months, then your client's car will likely appear unfinished, or even worse for wear, by the time you stand before a judge. Photos, especially with timestamps, might be the deciding factor for you.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

I would take them to small claims court.

[Carfire]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!


What kind of detail?
Was it a full detail- if so it would be worth it.
Sorry to hear the bad news.

[MyFirstES300]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Hire the mob to take care of him.

[Carfire]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

[jfelbab]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Go tie a dead fish on his exhaust manifold.

[H.E.D]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

A Complete Detail he owes $165 i dont know if its worth it but i am mad especially because he ignores my calls thats the only reason why i would take him to court.

[Carfire]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

That is a real bummer.
You said you talked to his mom or something like that.
Did you try having the mom get the money, or her paying you and then getting payed from him?

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

A Complete Detail he owes $165 i dont know if its worth it but i am mad especially because he ignores my calls thats the only reason why i would take him to court.

Court filing fees can't be that much.

[H.E.D]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

That is a real bummer.
You said you talked to his mom or something like that.
Did you try having the mom get the money, or her paying you and then getting payed from him?

Yeah well i had to go to his moms house because that was where i detailed some of his vehicles i thought i would catch him there and yes i try reasoning with them but they told me didnt that they have no money and to just wait for him.Come on they a small boat, lots of cars, and live in the hills and cant pay $165.

[H.E.D]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

thanks to all your replies. im new to this side of the business never has happened to me next time im charging upfront. i learned my lesson