Son-In-Law from Hell

[PYMLscape]

Hi! We're new to the forum. For twelve years, we had a wonderful wealthy older lady as a customer. She became almost like a relative to my husband and I. We went from just landscaping to caretaking the whole property, inside and out. We also began working for the daughter and SON-IN-LAW, who drove us crazy with his moodiness and slow paying. Sometimes we would not see a check for a month. They were always in a hurry to have the work done, though. For years, we've wanted to drop him like a hot potato, but were not sure if it would affect our other client. I think he knew that and took advantage of it.

Now the older lady has moved to a condo .

We've already waited over a week for his next check to arrive. Should we dump him now (I don't think his wife even knows how slow he pays).

How do you all deal with SLOOOOOW payers????
Thanks!

[kc2006]

now that the old lady's gone get rid of him if he's that big of a pain.

[Toy2]

Welcome to Lawnsite........being new to this game, and reading other posts about this same thing.....drop him fast, he should get the hint, if he wants to come back, make him pre-pay you for your services.....life is to short to deal with dumba$$'s! Just my 2cents!

[QualityLawnCare4u]

Hello, and wecome to lawnsite from me also. Make the son-in-law disappear or pay in advance. I have found once a slow payer, ALWAYS a slow payer. The are not worth the aggravation to deal with.

[Sweetwater]

This is hard to answer because some of slow payers do pay! I know we are not credit services, so here's what I do. Give the slow payer a price increase, reasonable not ridiculous, and then see if they bite on your higher-priced work. If they take you up on the new price continue to service the account and accept your late, but above average, payment!

Or do like I did Friday as this guy haggled me (I am like CarMax, don't haggle). Say, "gotta go make some money" and drive away waving and grinning like a politician.

[AL Inc]

I do "spring cleaning" every year, it is usually 3 or 4 who just get on my nerves, whether it be slow payment or something else. I've never regretted dropping any of them. Looking back, I feel I really benefitted, I now have a pretty good group of clients. Drop the son-in-law now, you won't regret it. I'm sure you do good work, there are plenty of people out there who will appreciate you. And you won't dread listening to the answering machine at night.

[dvmcmrhp52]

Originally Posted by PYMLscape

We also began working for the daughter and SON-IN-LAW, who drove us crazy with his moodiness and slow paying. Sometimes we would not see a check for a month.
We've already waited over a week for his next check to arrive.

Waiting a week for a check is hardly slow paying in my book, and waiting a month for a check isn't unusual either.

After 30 days then yes it begins to get to a point of sending him on his way.

If things are paid within 30 days consistently, then I wouldn't give it a second thought as long as it is CONSISTENT.

If it is usually longer than 30 days...........B'bye.......

[lawncare3]

I have a coustomer that doesen't always have the money but because I know he doesent have it and he's giving me the biz I let it go. But whever he DOES have it it ALL gets paid off in CASH as soon as he gets it.

[stuie]

BYE BYE !!!!! id say!


Welcome to Lawnsite!

STUART

[DGM]

Can you put on the invoice something like "If not paid within 30 days of inovice date there will be a $25 late fee then 1.5% Interest until the balance is paid in full"

Then let him pay late and and add then late fee and interest on the next invoice.

Either he will pay it or drop you.