Help Customer Wont Pay!

[Maserati Mario]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Well, small claims is never about the money
Take him to court
I love court!
It's an experience!
Make them tell the Judge why he didn't pay you
The Judge will set him straight!
It's freaking hilarious!
You will win, but he might not pay
But you'll be happy to know he will never forget him!

[ClearlyCoated]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

You will win, but he might not pay
But you'll be happy to know he will never forget him!

The OP has a problem in that the contract was verbal. Until he gets a favorable court ruling, he can't use a collection agency to go after the deadbeat. But, once a judgment has been rendered and money is awarded to the plaintiff, the amount can now be recovered by a collection agency. The amount is not great as admitted by the OP, but if he wants to rattle this guy's cage, this is the ammo he would need.

HED, the other plus is this: Process the claim. Many people would prefer to live their entire lives without ever appearing in court. Once the deadbeat receives a court summons, he may do the same math you did and realize that missing a day's work to lose $165 in a court settlement (which negatively impacts his credit score) is simply not worth it, and he may opt to settle with you, probably for the entire amount.

[Erik Mejia]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Small claims court is a good route. If you are awarded a judgment, and he still refuses to pay, then place a lien on any assets he may own (i.e. his home.)

[H.E.D]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Thanks Thats Good Advice.

[MyFirstES300]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

There comes a point though that for the amount of money that is owed, is it worth the aggravation and time to pursue it? This is just a thought.

You'll have to pay a fee to process the small claims court papers, then you'll have your court date which takes another day of wages away from you (unless it's your day off). Then, if you do win, you'll have to get a collection agency which will garnish his wages, or he then pays up front, BUT, the collection agency gets a percentage of the amount collected. Here in NY, you also have to pay a fee to the Sheriff to serve the guilty party regarding the garnishment and the conditions of the garnishment.

If you do pursue small claims, you have to realize that it is for the principle of it all, and that you may never see a dime. You will have to live with the satisfaction that his credit will have a mark on it, and you made your point to him to pay his debts for services rendered in the future.

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

There comes a point though that for the amount of money that is owed, is it worth the aggravation and time to pursue it?

Thats just part of doing business.

[ShinyMopar]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

I would have say is 165 bucks really worth it? Just let it drop. Just key his car the next time you see it.

[Superior Shine]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Hire the mob to take care of him.

I like the way you think.

[3Fitty]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Usually small claims actions are relatively cheap to commence and if you are awarded costs, you can get the back. http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp....htm#paytofile

I did a bit of research for you into filing a claim in a California SC Court.

I think your case is an easy one. Here is what I would do. Commence the action and make your allegations (ie: when the work was performed, the agreed upon price, etc...). If you don't have any pics of the work this time around, bring some from the last time around. This shows you are a reputable business person and have worked for this guy before.

If he claims "he never did the work", it won't be believeable.

His next defense would probably be about price or performance. He might say, "we agreed upon 50 bucks" or whatever. In this case, get some price quotes from local detailers to show what the market value is for detailing services, just to show the judge that your rates were not beyond the market.

My guess is that once he gets your complaint, he'll pay.

If he doesn't, get a judgment and immediately serve it on him (usually by certified mail is okay). Once you've served him, different States have different rules, but I have found the easiest way to get your money is to put a lien on his tax return. I've done it in New York State and in Michigan and it is relatively easy and something he can't do anything about.

Also, if you want to be really nasty, once you get the judgment, report it to one or all of the three credit reporting agencies. You'll basically ruin his credit for the next 7-10 years.

[Nick Chapman]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Usually small claims actions are relatively cheap to commence and if you are awarded costs, you can get the back. http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp....htm#paytofile

I did a bit of research for you into filing a claim in a California SC Court.

I think your case is an easy one. Here is what I would do. Commence the action and make your allegations (ie: when the work was performed, the agreed upon price, etc...). If you don't have any pics of the work this time around, bring some from the last time around. This shows you are a reputable business person and have worked for this guy before.

If he claims "he never did the work", it won't be believeable.

His next defense would probably be about price or performance. He might say, "we agreed upon 50 bucks" or whatever. In this case, get some price quotes from local detailers to show what the market value is for detailing services, just to show the judge that your rates were not beyond the market.

My guess is that once he gets your complaint, he'll pay.

If he doesn't, get a judgment and immediately serve it on him (usually by certified mail is okay). Once you've served him, different States have different rules, but I have found the easiest way to get your money is to put a lien on his tax return. I've done it in New York State and in Michigan and it is relatively easy and something he can't do anything about.

Also, if you want to be really nasty, once you get the judgment, report it to one or all of the three credit reporting agencies. You'll basically ruin his credit for the next 7-10 years.

Note to self: 3Fitty is your friend. DO NOT UPSET HIM!

[termigator69]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Thats just part of doing business.

I never understand why people do that. Service has been rendered. Just pay up already! If the service was unsatisfactory, say something and get it done the way you want. Is it really that hard?!

I would have say is 165 bucks really worth it? Just let it drop. Just key his car the next time you see it.

That's probably what I'd do. The keying part, that is

Usually small claims actions are relatively cheap to commence and if you are awarded costs, you can get the back. http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/selfhelp....htm#paytofile

I did a bit of research for you into filing a claim in a California SC Court.

I think your case is an easy one. Here is what I would do. Commence the action and make your allegations (ie: when the work was performed, the agreed upon price, etc...). If you don't have any pics of the work this time around, bring some from the last time around. This shows you are a reputable business person and have worked for this guy before.

If he claims "he never did the work", it won't be believeable.

His next defense would probably be about price or performance. He might say, "we agreed upon 50 bucks" or whatever. In this case, get some price quotes from local detailers to show what the market value is for detailing services, just to show the judge that your rates were not beyond the market.

My guess is that once he gets your complaint, he'll pay.

If he doesn't, get a judgment and immediately serve it on him (usually by certified mail is okay). Once you've served him, different States have different rules, but I have found the easiest way to get your money is to put a lien on his tax return. I've done it in New York State and in Michigan and it is relatively easy and something he can't do anything about.

Also, if you want to be really nasty, once you get the judgment, report it to one or all of the three credit reporting agencies. You'll basically ruin his credit for the next 7-10 years.

Sounds like a plan. Love these forums. There's always someone with helpful information no matter what the situation.

[mcox]

Note to self: 3Fitty is your friend. DO NOT UPSET HIM!

Ditto

[AeroCleanse]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

I never understand why people do that. Service has been rendered. Just pay up already! If the service was unsatisfactory, say something and get it done the way you want. Is it really that hard?!

I mean having to take people that don't pay to court is part of doing business.

[CieraSL]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

Note to self: 3Fitty is your friend. DO NOT UPSET HIM!

[MyFirstES300]

Re: Help Customer Wont Pay!

I like the way you think.

Guess that's the Italian in me

I feel bad for the OP! That was a low thing the customer did to him. I hope I gave the OP a bit of a chuckle. For something like this, a little humor can't hurt. Personally, I hope he gets his money from that slob.