Client didn’t pay and ignoring me

[Sarah Hartill]

Hello, haven’t been on for ages! I done a clients lash extensions for her holiday, she was going that evening, she forgot her money but said she would get her partner to run her back to pay that day. I’ve done her lashes a few times before and she’s my sister in laws best friend so I told her if she doesn’t have time to come back just pop in down after her holiday, never had any issues with her before, but she insisted she would be back that day. I waited until a few days after she was back and messaged her reminding that she still owed the money and to pay when she could, this was 17th July, I could see she had been online but not read my message so being the kind idiot I am gave her longer to reply, I knew she had just got a new job so thought maybe she’s waiting until her first pay day. I’ve messaged her today and now she’s switched the what’s app so you can’t see when she’s been online, pretty obvious now that she’s ignoring me and doesn’t want to pay, what would you do? I don’t want to involve the sister in law

 

[Trinity]

Send her an invoice with 7 day payment deadline, post it by registered post. Enclose a covering letter asking for payment within 7 days or the matter will be passed to debt collection agency. That is as long as you are happy to loose her as a client. If you want to keep her I'd be knocking on her door asking for payment face to face.

 

[AcidPerm]

She’s banking on you not doing anything precisely because she’s your sister-in-law’s best friend.
Don’t let her take you for a mug and follow @Trinity’s excellent advice.
Then ban her.

 

[SarahNails25]

I like trinity advise on this is good idea because if she make problem like this for one service not giving payment then she can try do this more than one time in future if you keep this girl as client and this can be headache for you even more because you know her friend. It look like she not planning to see you again too because no answer but maybe she trying to have you forget about this before her next appointment to pretend like it never happen and get a 2 service for 1 deal out of this. I say you do not want client like this even if she is family friend. She may talk badly about you but this is your business and you have to take care of what is your owed. Is possible She maybe never pay but i think if you do what trinity say she will get embarrassed and just pay.
Next time it not matter how or who you service but do not be so kind to allow client delay payment for week because they will feel they allow to take their time on this when nobody should have this type of take their time feeling to pay for something they order and got.

 

[House Beauty]

This is actaally a type of theft. I have a client that pulls a fast one every chance she gets. Forgot my purse. Don't have any money. Can I pay you next time. Always a no. Unacceptable. She knows my boundaries. Now Pays in advance and think I've finally set her straight, all well for about a year, suddenly wants to have the cheapest thing on the menu, says happy with price and then when done 'i won't be paying you today I don't have any money.' As if you don't have a few quid love. Come on. I asked her if she would steal a sandwich from Tesco's because it is the same thing. But who admits to not having a few pounds to their name? Not a drop of shame on her! Seemed to think I was in the wrong for not understanding she has spent her money on a holiday and can't afford to pay me! Living in laland.

Keep this, it is very useful:

Walking out without payment after payment has been agreed is theft under the theft of services act 1978. It is an arrestable offence with a prison sentence.

I was quite happy putting this (in a clear and well thought out way) on an invoice to her. I received payment into my account less than an hour later.

There's others over the years I've walked to a cash machine, called their spouse for payment over the phone before they leave..Of course there are the genuine accidents that are so gracious and apologetic and paymethe second they can and are embarrassed for forgetting, but more than once or twice is no accident.

Anyone who tries it with you, you get rid. There will be many more clients that value you and pay you well to replace them.

 

[Lynne Baker]

Send her an invoice with 7 day payment deadline, post it by registered post. Enclose a covering letter asking for payment within 7 days or the matter will be passed to debt collection agency. That is as long as you are happy to loose her as a client. If you want to keep her I'd be knocking on her door asking for payment face to face.

It’s not a good idea to bang on her door; it could be construed as harassment, and the last thing you want is the police involved!