Our company received a bill for shipping from '97. We've never heard about this before. As far as anyone knows this is the first attempt to collect. We're not even sure we have records that far back. We asked for a copy of the original bill and they won't send it. Do we have to pay? Can someone point me to any laws, regulations pertaining to this?
2006-09-21 04:12:03 · 5 answers · asked by warminster3 1 in Business & Finance ➔ Other - Business & Finance
If they refuse to send you a copy of the original in voice, you do not have to pay.
Some questions that need to be asked.
1. Did the actual shipping take place that is being billed?
2. Does your company have regular dealings with this company? If so, this should be easy to work out.
3. If not, why won't this company send you a copy of the original invoice? Do they have somebody to hide? Have they mixed you up with another company (possibly with a similar name)?
Normally, unless there was a lawsuit attached (i.e. you refused to pay in 1997 and a court ordered you to pay) a company will write off such a liability, it surprises me that a company would come and collect after 9 years (American auditors generally audit 7 years at a time for 'specific' information but can legally audit for a longer period of time for 'annual report data'). In this world of electronic storage, many countries are looking at taking longer term periods for audits, forcing companies to scan and itemize everything).
2006-09-21 04:44:30 · answer #1 · answered by cyrenaica 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I believe that I would not pay this, especially without the original bill and there are no bills I know of that are collectible after 7 years
and it can't be put on your credit after this amount of time!
2006-09-21 04:31:04 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am pretty sure that you do not have to keep any records that long I have a figure of 3 years in my head but no laws In South African law we have to keep all taxable documents ( invoices) for a period of 5 years
2006-09-21 04:38:07 · answer #3 · answered by Matt 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Anyone unable to support their claim of a balance due will not be able to collect from you. Contact your Better Business Bureau and discuss with them. They will be glad to guide you on this.
2006-09-21 04:31:36 · answer #4 · answered by Letsee 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
im an accountant, ure figur doesnt add up, let me balaance ure assets for u.
2006-09-21 04:19:41 · answer #5 · answered by tariq k 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋