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• PRO

  Phil Voice September 16, 2010 at 12:43pm

  Hi Miranda
  
  If you've detailed everything on the quote and invoice then I don't see that your client can withold payment.
  
  The window situation is an irritation for the both of you but it should remain separate although extending the payment period under the circumstance is not unreasonable.
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  David Cox September 16, 2010 at 1:07pm

  We've had this arguement before from a regular - arguing the toss that "the job should have taken 3 - 4 hours, and at about £15 an hour thats £60", despite having quoted £90 for the work at fixed cost. We simply gave her 14 days to pay up, in writing, and at 14 days a letter informing her that if she had any dispute, to put it in writing or we take her to small claims court, getting her a CCJ. She wrote back saying her dispute was with the price - she thought it should be cheaper. We replied explaining she agreed to that price prior to the work etc and that we would proceed. The money was paid into our bank shortly afterwards and we parted company - simples. Don't take any rubish from people, alot will try and knock down a pro to cowboy rates and hope for a bargain.
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  Jason Felstead September 16, 2010 at 5:03pm

  What i tend to do on large jobs, is when i quote, i put everything in writing and then give the customer a copy, i always make sure that they are clear with what has been written down including price, That way your covered.
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  Cesare Harradine September 16, 2010 at 5:31pm

  I had some one only last week. He wanted a garden tidy at short notice for a landlord inspection. Quoted a price to do what he wanted. He was happy with it so gave the go ahead. When I went back later to collect payment he said "I'm not paying that for three hours work!". To which I replied "You're not paying for three hours work, you're pay to get done what you wanted to get done. If I choose to turn up with over a grands worth of kit to get it done in three hours, thats my business. At the end of the day, you've got what you wanted for the price agreed."
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  HM GARDENS September 16, 2010 at 5:40pm

  Thanks for replies.
  
  She is acting as if I had given an estimate and she must have me mixed up with another gardener who was quoting in hours.
  I gave detailed quote even saying what rubbish i was not taking and in what area's and took photo's.
  I just politely checked if cheque was sent and she said she had not even looked yet one week on from invoice.
  I know it's only one week but her reply has sent alarm bells ringing, I will give one more week than send a firmer letter than get some legal jargon letter written than small claims would people agree with that method.
  
  
  I know she read the quote in the beginning as she was very concerned about me not mentioning quote with the tenant as he had done some tidying with 4 mate's as he told me.
  
  I do think she is going to attempt to knock my price down, I was shaking with anger when I read email now I'm laughing because it's idiocy what she is saying about agreed hourly rate and how many hours.
  She does not live in my local area so it's not practical to knock on her door.
  
  She did ask once in an email how long it would take me? I said 1-2 visits and looking back on her emails she even quotes back to me the price and how she can pay! so glad I store all these emails in their little client folders!
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  Jason Felstead September 16, 2010 at 5:54pm

  If you have the emails why not print them off and show her
  
  Miranda said:

  Thanks for replies.
  
  She is acting as if I had given an estimate and she must have me mixed up with another gardener who was quoting in hours.
  I gave detailed quote even saying what rubbish i was not taking and in what area's and took photo's.
  I just politely checked if cheque was sent and she said she had not even looked yet one week on from invoice.
  I know it's only one week but her reply has sent alarm bells ringing, I will give one more week than send a firmer letter than get some legal jargon letter written than small claims would people agree with that method.
  
  
  I know she read the quote in the beginning as she was very concerned about me not mentioning quote with the tenant as he had done some tidying with 4 mate's as he told me.
  
  I do think she is going to attempt to knock my price down, I was shaking with anger when I read email now I'm laughing because it's idiocy what she is saying about agreed hourly rate and how many hours.
  She does not live in my local area so it's not practical to knock on her door.
  
  She did ask once in an email how long it would take me? I said 1-2 visits and looking back on her emails she even quotes back to me the price and how she can pay! so glad I store all these emails in their little client folders!
• 

  HM GARDENS September 16, 2010 at 6:48pm

  The women is a mad hatter! i just sent copy of correspondence and to avoid misunderstanding and to pay in 7 days. She emailed straight away saying "Fab thanks bad memory will do"
  I await the cheque.
  
  Thanks everyone
  Early bird catches the worm
  
  Jason Felstead said:

  If you have the emails why not print them off and show her
  
  Miranda said:

  Thanks for replies.
  
  She is acting as if I had given an estimate and she must have me mixed up with another gardener who was quoting in hours.
  I gave detailed quote even saying what rubbish i was not taking and in what area's and took photo's.
  I just politely checked if cheque was sent and she said she had not even looked yet one week on from invoice.
  I know it's only one week but her reply has sent alarm bells ringing, I will give one more week than send a firmer letter than get some legal jargon letter written than small claims would people agree with that method.
  
  
  I know she read the quote in the beginning as she was very concerned about me not mentioning quote with the tenant as he had done some tidying with 4 mate's as he told me.
  
  I do think she is going to attempt to knock my price down, I was shaking with anger when I read email now I'm laughing because it's idiocy what she is saying about agreed hourly rate and how many hours.
  She does not live in my local area so it's not practical to knock on her door.
  
  She did ask once in an email how long it would take me? I said 1-2 visits and looking back on her emails she even quotes back to me the price and how she can pay! so glad I store all these emails in their little client folders!
• 

  Jason Felstead September 16, 2010 at 6:50pm

  Glad to see some resoloution to the matter :)
  
  Miranda said:

  The women is a mad hatter! i just sent copy of correspondence and to avoid misunderstanding and to pay in & days. She emailed straight away saying "Fab thanks bad memory will do"
  I await the cheque.
  
  Thanks everyone
  Early bird catches the worm
  
  Jason Felstead said:

  If you have the emails why not print them off and show her
  
  Miranda said:

  Thanks for replies.
  
  She is acting as if I had given an estimate and she must have me mixed up with another gardener who was quoting in hours.
  I gave detailed quote even saying what rubbish i was not taking and in what area's and took photo's.
  I just politely checked if cheque was sent and she said she had not even looked yet one week on from invoice.
  I know it's only one week but her reply has sent alarm bells ringing, I will give one more week than send a firmer letter than get some legal jargon letter written than small claims would people agree with that method.
  
  
  I know she read the quote in the beginning as she was very concerned about me not mentioning quote with the tenant as he had done some tidying with 4 mate's as he told me.
  
  I do think she is going to attempt to knock my price down, I was shaking with anger when I read email now I'm laughing because it's idiocy what she is saying about agreed hourly rate and how many hours.
  She does not live in my local area so it's not practical to knock on her door.
  
  She did ask once in an email how long it would take me? I said 1-2 visits and looking back on her emails she even quotes back to me the price and how she can pay! so glad I store all these emails in their little client folders!
• 

  HM GARDENS September 25, 2010 at 4:27pm

  Well no cheque
• 

  HM GARDENS September 25, 2010 at 5:05pm

  Hi Gary
  I've sent an email for late payment and requesting a phone call and to avoid any further action, I cheekily asked the tenants for her phone number but no reply.
  
  I will feel sick about it as the insurance excess will not be cheap and I'll probably will not make any money but a large loss.
  
  
  Gary @ Acer Paving said:

  Hi Miranda,
  
  Hope things are going well apart from this one bad customer.
  
  Sounds like a visit is on the cards, Call her and say " can I pop around and settle up the account".
  
  If that doesn't work I suppose small claims is your only option.
  
  Miranda said:

  Well no cheque