Debt Recovery advice please.

Debt Recovery advice please.

Author
Discussion

elms

Original Poster:

1,930 posts

259 months

Sunday 27th July 2003
quotequote all
A customer of mine owes me £800. For a debt i paid in good faith on his behalf while he was on holiday (Stupid I know now!). On his return i explained the situation and asked to be reimbursed, he said he only would once i had done some more work for him. That was duely done, and he is still refuseing to pay until i do some more. I just want be shot of him now, and get my money back. The reciever of my money will testify that i paid this money on this guys behalf, I have sent an Invoice to him two weeks ago via registered post, but it was not delivered, as no answer at his home/office. Please help, this guy is a right a***hole. I do not want to let the debt go as a matter of principle.

bobthebench

398 posts

270 months

Monday 28th July 2003
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If you can post more details, off line, I'll give you a rough letter you can send outlining your case. If not success, bottom line is are you wiling to raise a small claim - help available there also if required.

oggs

8,814 posts

261 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
I'll send the boys round if you like........

elms

Original Poster:

1,930 posts

259 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
oggs said:
I'll send the boys round if you like........


The funny thing is that he said to ME he would send some boys round to sort me out if i started getting nasty!!!!

Steviebee

13,569 posts

262 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
Sell the debt!

Some companies will buy the debt at 100% value (and pass their charges - which will be high - on to the debtor), others will be buy it at a reduced rate.

Either way, you get at least some of your money back and it is no longer your problem.

By far the quickest and easiest route.

Tell him that's what you are going to do first as this might trigger a response.

Small claims courts are all very well but in my experience, are toothless tigers.

oggs

8,814 posts

261 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
elms said:

oggs said:
I'll send the boys round if you like........



The funny thing is that he said to ME he would send some boys round to sort me out if i started getting nasty!!!!


Who does he think he is......................ME

elms

Original Poster:

1,930 posts

259 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
Steviebee said:
Sell the debt!

Some companies will buy the debt at 100% value (and pass their charges - which will be high - on to the debtor), others will be buy it at a reduced rate.

Either way, you get at least some of your money back and it is no longer your problem.

By far the quickest and easiest route.

Tell him that's what you are going to do first as this might trigger a response.

Small claims courts are all very well but in my experience, are toothless tigers.


I have thought of this, where do i find such a company??

Don

28,377 posts

291 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
oggs isn't far off with his advice you know. Very large, very reputable companies have, on occasion, employed "security" firms to...errr...well...persuade an individual to arrange a bank transfer right there and then...

Small claims would be a better bet for you - because if your claim is upheld and he doesn't pay your "security" firm can go and get the money..errr...with the law on their side...as it were.

Steviebee

13,569 posts

262 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
elms said:

Steviebee said:
Sell the debt!

Some companies will buy the debt at 100% value (and pass their charges - which will be high - on to the debtor), others will be buy it at a reduced rate.

Either way, you get at least some of your money back and it is no longer your problem.

By far the quickest and easiest route.

Tell him that's what you are going to do first as this might trigger a response.

Small claims courts are all very well but in my experience, are toothless tigers.



I have thought of this, where do i find such a company??


I've got some details in the office and will mail you in the morning.

elms

Original Poster:

1,930 posts

259 months

Monday 28th July 2003
quotequote all
Okay many thanks.

joospeed

4,473 posts

285 months

Tuesday 29th July 2003
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People who don't pay can be a right royal pain in the wotsits and can cripple a small business quickly .. I'll not tell you how much money I'm owed at the moment by so-called TVR enthusiasts!!
I was given two very good pieces of advice, one was to write down EVERYTHING relating to each item of business you do, comes in very handy when you have to prove the other guy is indeed at fault and not playing fair.
the other great piece of advice is to join the FSB , the federation of small businesses. They have been brilliant with me, they seem to pack a mighty punch and get things sorted very quickly, or give you the right advice to do it yourself.
I know what you mean on the principle thing .. but 800 pounds is alot of money so don't let it rest until justice is done. Do everything by the book from the start and then if it does go to court you'll be in the strongest possible position.
Best of luck

mel

10,168 posts

282 months

Tuesday 29th July 2003
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Definetly stick with it just out of principle. I was owed just shy of £400 from a client dating back to last August up until a couple of weeks ago. Anyway I'd had every excuse under the sun about troubles with his partner, company being in trouble, grief with the bank etc etc and the promise that if I cut him some slack "he'd see me alright". The final straw was when I bumped into him out of the blue in a car park of a local pub getting out of a brand new S55 AMG merc. I decided that the slack time was over and went round to his offices with every intention of taking goods to the value of and bollox to it. To cut a long story a bit shorter I ended up doing a deal and taking in lieu a very large collection of genuine, brand new, soon to be distributed to a licensed sex shop near you hardcore pornography 60 DVD's and 30 videos. By my logic if I can knock these out for £10 and £5 repectively that should give me a tidy little profit, Oh yes 2 weeks later and I've recouped my money and am still going strong . Just remember very often clouds have a silver lining you just need to look a bit harder.

Oh and if anyones interested email me off line

elms

Original Poster:

1,930 posts

259 months

Wednesday 30th July 2003
quotequote all
The latest thing is, that I sent him an Invoice an couple of weeks ago via registered post (from past experience he is a lying bastard and denys things have reached him) but it is still at the Post Office undelivered, as there is no one in. I know he hasnt gone bust or anything but i guess he knows what it is and wont go to collect it.
What Next????????????

boosted ls1

21,198 posts

267 months

Wednesday 30th July 2003
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You need to take it to him in person or get someone else to do it who may be required to give evidence that it was delivered in person. Either way, he has to have your invoice before your claim can proceed IMHO.

grahambell

2,718 posts

282 months

Thursday 31st July 2003
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Hi elms,

Haven't had any personal experience of using this lot, just seen their ad in a newsletter I subscribe to, but thought it might be useful.

Basically, they say that if you're owed more than £750, are owed the money without doubt and would like to get it within 30 days, there's a 95% chance they'll be able to help. And they operate a no recovery, no fee deal.

If the threat of legal action in the small claims court doesn't work (can do, so worth a try) you can contact them on 0800 0920 552 or go to www.doshopolis.co.uk

Hope you get your money back.