Oh oh, payment disagreement

[Acute Cut]

Here's the situation, last month at the end of the month i gave a customer a bill for approx 172$<p>She handed me a wad of cash. (little old lady that has never cheated me or questioned my bill before.) When i counted it at the truck before i left i only counted the 72$. I am SURE that is all i had. I figured they had jsut gotten back from vacation and were short. Being a long term customer i paid it no heed thinking she would pay it this month. <p>I sent her the bill and got a call the next day. She says that she paid the full amount. She has asked me to &quot;double check&quot; my books. I am sure that i only counted the 72$. I would hate to lose a long term customer over this because she has been really very wonderful. (And her husband was my fav. english teacher in high school)<p>What should i do? Write it off? Send out Vinny and Guito? Other options?<br>Thanks for the help guys. Have a good day!

[Richard Martin]

Write it off. You should always count the money in front of the customer. Hav you ever seen them just stuff your money in the drawer at a store?

[Scag48]

I don't really have to deal with this problem. Most of my customers pay with checks. If they pay with cash, I count it before I leave. Never had a mistake like that before. Sorry man, I guess she kinda screwed you out of a hundred bucks.<p>----------<br>Chelan Valley Mowing<br>- - - - Striping the way to success - - - -

[Scraper]

I'm gonna go with the majority on this one...you lose...just &quot;rip&quot; her off on some other work :)

[Lazer]

I think you have to ask yourself what's woth more, the $100 or the customer?<p>Being that probably has an obvious answer, I would still inform the customer you did not recieve the other $100, but you're eating it because you value their business.

[thelawnguy]

I second Lazers post. Either way you arent going to see the C-note so you might as well look like a hero.<p>Bill

[MOW ED]

Raise your price next year to cover it and then some.<p>I have learned that there are NO POOR WIDOWS that have lawn care.

[Charles]

Add a few dollars on to any extra job she want you to do until you get back that 100$

[Jim White]

Sounds like you need to work on your people skills. If you have a good relationship with this customer then you should be able to explain the situation. You should clearly state to that individual that your not really sure what happened, and that it is even possible that you lost the hundred right there on the job site when you were leaving, like maybe it fell from your pocket. Also don't ask them to replace it, but ask them should they come across it when going through finiances, if they could let you know. If you do this right and with sincerity you might be surprised by the results. Look for their simpathy. if nothing comes of it so be it. but what the heck, they might give you a tip the next time for being so stupid.<p>

[bill phagan]

Consider a receipt book as well as putting things in writing....eliminates &quot;selective&quot; memories from them and us.<p>Bill Phagan

[Guido]

Acute Lawn - THATS guiDo with a D !!! Now get it right Paisan, or you'll be the one with the broken legs!!! :)<p>I like Jim White's idea the best. It really is your fault because you didn't count the money, but if you tell her like Jim says, she'll know your being honest and maybe throw it in the next time. Its not worth loosing the customer, just be honest with her, and I think it will end up okay. Let us know if you get it back!<p>Your Late Bill Collecting Leg Breaker,<br><p>----------<br>&lt;a href=&quot;http://communities.msn.com/guidosequipmentpics/&quot;&gt;&quot;Guido&quot;&lt;/a&gt;<br>David M. Famiglietti