Client not paid invoice despite reminders. Invoice for less than £500. Is it Small Claims or other please?

Answer 1

I never bother with small claims court....If you know you`re right, go all the way and threaten him with full court action, he`ll back down and pay up quite quickly when he realises that he will be liable to thousands in court costs on top of the relatively small debt.....works every time

Answer 2

Do not get heavy handed with claims courts until its absolutely the last resort.
Be Assertive not aggressive.
Getting some money out of them regularly even though it might be a small amount is better than nothing.
Keep phoning and make sure you speak to the BILL PAYER which may not necessarily be the owner of the business.
If you ask a question ie when are they going to pay ask it in such a way that they don't come back to you with a negative answer.
Ask when the earliest date would be be that they can pay something. In this way they have to come back with, lets say, next week. Then you be positive and ask "What day next week" again you are getting in control.
Don't be fobbed off with the cheques in the post.
There's nobody here to sign the cheque.
If you feel intimidated doing this than get somebody who can do it for you introducing themselves as your financial controller.Be that annoying little fly in their face all the time. It should wear them down
Change the phone number you call from and the times of day. The best time to call is first thing in the morning then you are the first thing on their mind and hopefully for the rest of the day.
If you still don't see any results say you will call round for some money, make an appointment and then turn up early so they don't have the chance to scarper.
Best of luck

Answer 3

small claims court will handle this but ask yourself these questions.

is the amount owed worth more than any future business with this company?

how much has the company given in business in the past compared to this past due amount?

is this company connected to other customers or potential future customers that will be worth more than the debt amount?

to go after a customer normally means that customer will never return. and like any upset customer they will tell at least 10 other people about this bad situation and of course make you look like the bad guy over them for not paying the debt.

its the old theory of don't burn your bridges.

Answer 4

add your late payment fees and take to Small Claims. Don't listen to anyone who tells you not to, its your business, your hard work and you trusted a bad customer. I had a very bad customer last year, i called him, made treats and told him I'll call the law -drastic i know, but he paid up within a week.
The curse of every business is a bad customer, and their associates.

Answer 5

HI Anna, drop me a mail at [e-mail] and will send you a template, which I use, before going through county court, this always gets a response, as there are lots of companies/people who know they are going to pay they just leave it for as long as they possibly can

Answer 6

That's the small claims court.

Keep copies of all reminders sent as well as details of work done with the customer's confirmation that he had the work done.

Also: http://www.hmcourts-service.gov.uk./ will allow you to do it via the internet.

Answer 7

Go round there and recover the goods if you can....or just write it off..........The good remain yours until invoices are paid in full.....

Answer 8

Yep, small claims court will handle stuff like this.

Answer 9

Small Claims Court. They will fast track it and it will be painless for you.