Customer won't pay

TheFarrier

Hi all
I am search of some advice.
I'm a farrier by trade, I put shoes on horses for a living.
Almost 3 years ago I started working for a new client.
Shoeing 4 to 6 horses a month for them.
Always paid in full on the day.
This continued for maybe 6 months.
Then once or twice they said they'd pay me the next day I called and they did.
Then I was left with two bills from separate days work not paid when they switched farrier. This was almost two years ago.
I never had any reason to think i wouldn't be paid but anytime ive met them since they avoid me.
Won't return calls or texts.
One time I managed to speak with one he disputed the amount I'm owed.
His son made the same argument via Facebook message not too long ago.

So I have it on record that they admit owing me money.

What are my options regarding recouping my money??

Is a solicitors letter worth a shout??

Im not prepared to knock on the door as I have heard that another man that did so looking to be paid was accused of assaulting the man's wife.

It's not a huge amount of money but at the same time the thoughts of letting them get away with it galls me.

Thanks for reading

Samuel T. Cogley

Horse head in the bed scenario if ever there was one.

Lmklad

Small claims court. Pop down to your local District Court Office and they will tell you what to do.

rock22

Lmklad wrote: »

Small claims court. Pop down to your local District Court Office and they will tell you what to do.

I don't believe you can use the small claims court for this.
You will need to consult a solicitor.

Lmklad

You’re correct. Not suitable for the small claims court.

Depending on the amount owed, you could go the solicitor route.

However, much as it kills me to say it, a little naming and shaming will probably give you a much swifter response.

TheFarrier

[Deleted User] wrote: »

Depending on the amount owed, you could go the solicitor route.

However, much as it kills me to say it, a little naming and shaming will probably give you a much swifter response.

I've thought of this.

The client in question is a horse dealer.

He is regularly torn to shreds on a Facebook group called dodgy dealers beware, yet he continues to advertise his horses as 100% genuine and safe
He is immune to shame so I feel that's not really an option.
I'm not the only one he owes money to.

Tbh I'd be almost certain that a solicitors letter will cost more than I am owed but I know this man is laughing at me every time I try to broach the subject with him and I'd rather lose money to my solicitor than him.

Pete Tong

TheFarrier wrote: »

Tbh I'd be almost certain that a solicitors letter will cost more than I am owed but I know this man is laughing at me every time I try to broach the subject with him and I'd rather lose money to my solicitor than him.

You'll probably end up losing money to both your solicitor and him then.

If a solicitor's letter will cost you more than you're owned, then you should probably just forget about it. Even now it's costing you head space and time thinking about it.

It's just bad debt.

Pat Mustard

Debt collection is one area of contentious business where a solicitor is not prohibited from agreeing a solicitor/client fee based on a percentage of what is recovered.

For those concerned about paying more in legal fees than what might be recouped, it may be worth considering. This might amount to perhaps 15%-20% for a District Court matter, depending on all of the circumstances, the amount in question and what is negotiated between solicitor and client.

Pat Mustard

Pete Tong wrote: »

If a solicitor's letter will cost you more than you're owned, then you should probably just forget about it.

This is true, so it very much depends on the amount of the debt in question.

drunkmonkey

Isn't there something about you can charge interest, i've a small debt outstanding for a good while, it's just annoying me as he's another business owner that we would have spent money with every week, want to send him a letter saying back interest will be charged if non payment within 7 days or something similar and then hit him with the interest and a big red letter gaffer taped to the front of his shop every day until he pays.

TheFarrier

Pete Tong wrote: »

You'll probably end up losing money to both your solicitor and him then.

If a solicitor's letter will cost you more than you're owned, then you should probably just forget about it. Even now it's costing you head space and time thinking about it.

It's just bad debt.

I known should just leave it but it pops into my head every now and then and just boils my blood.

I left a voicemail last night mentioning the possibility of speaking to my solicitor and had a text this morning saying to call to the house tomorow and I'll be paid.

Tbh I'll believe that when I see it. If im.fobbed off again I'll speak to the the solicitor.

Thanks

coylemj

Bear in mind that even if you win a court case, what practical effect will it have? If he doesn't pay the debt in the face of a court summons and it goes to court, how will the order of the court be implemented. If a sheriff arrives on his doorstep, does he have any tangible assets worth seizing?