I need special advice (work stuff)

[velvett]

I have this client that does not take, "when the deposits are paid, the product will be ordered" or "when the bills are paid the product will be delivered" for an answer.

I have said politely and rather bluntly, unless the bill is PAID in full no products will be installed or placed into their apartment (even thought a lot already has been).

I am at my witts end.

They DEMAND to be in for Thanksgiving yet lie about checks being sent, owe over 200,000 just on construction costs, have sent 3 checks to the tune of 175,000 that have all bounced (some twice)and scream at me why their stuff *isn't in*.

How do I make this clear in a politically correct manner?

I know they know it's about not receiving payment because the male half has actually said, "why is it all about the money?", "what you think were not going to pay you?"

I've made very clear the process, take deposit, order goods, goods ready, bill for balance, balance paid order delivered.

 

[naturally anabolic]

have u explained to them the checks have bounced, etc? doesnt sound very good if they cant afford the items yet are demanding them.

 

[beefybull]

have u explained to them the checks have bounced, etc? doesnt sound very good if they cant afford the items yet are demanding them.

Word.

 

[saint808]

tell them it is company policy and that you cannot do a damn thing about it and if he doesn't like that answer then he can go to your superior and if you are your own superior then tell him to fuck off and that you will see him in court.

 

[Citruscide]

LIke Saint said... except doctor it up to take out the curse words... except maybe the fuck off part... I like that part.

Just say in the real world, people pay for things before they get them... and that's the deal he signed up for... not the fantasy one where he gets 200K of free stuff as a front.

C-ditty

 

[Y_lifter]

Playing devils advocate....

Do you blame them for trying ?
You said that you shipped stuff in the past to them even though
they had not paid, and now the rules change.
(even thought a lot already has been).

I see your point, but I also see why the douche bags are trying this...

Mail or Fax them copies of the NSF checks with a request for resubmittal prior to any "Additional" Shipments..

 

[bigguns7]

Just say in the real world, people pay for things before they get them... and that's the deal he signed up for... not the fantasy one where he gets 200K of free stuff as a front.

C-ditty

Ahh - if only that were true. The one thing I've learned in corporate America is that it's very easy to have services rendered without paying in advance. I've also learned that just because you owe something doesn't mean you have to pay it any time soon.

We have Fortune 500, Standard&Poors AA-rated companies that have owed us millions for 2 or 3 years.

Shit, Wal-Mart makes all its money on "the float."

 

[notoriousQQ]

Just curious, what type of credit screening mechanism do you have in place to check the credit quality and financial position of the customers you deal with?

Also, if you have received multiple checks that have bounced for goods and services already provided along with going against company policy of being paid for services upfront, in my mind that would be enough of a red flag in my mind to make bringing this account current or to an satisfactory state asap.

Okay, this is what I would do: I would gather my facts, what they owe, if they bounced checks what the amounts and dates were and what the resolution to the insufficient funds they offered was(was it a bookkeeping error or do they just not have the money), what they have ordered, what they are ordering, dead lines approaching, etc. Then, call the customer up, tell the customer you value there business but you are in a situation that has began to cause you some issues and problems, explain why (going against company policy, bounced checks, outstanding balance not being paid within terms and then ask how they can help you get it corrected. You shouldn't be carrying the emotional weight or burden of worrying about this, they should. Don't be abrasive about it but you shouldn't be in a position that you feel you need to defend yourself for asking them to meet your terms and conditions of service. Try to get someone to talk, use softening statements to get them to open up, ask open ended questions, use the dummy curve or reverse selling. Try to get them to share the reason that they are not meeting or are willing to meet your company's policies. Are they overbudget, have dead lines to meet, in financial trouble, etc. etc.? Sorry if this is incoherent, just the way I would try to do it.

 

[The Shadow]

How do I make this clear in a politically correct manner?

You can't at this point.

In Georgia it is a felony to pass a knowingly bad check over 5k.

Since they have passed more than one, that certainly qualifies under a similar law there.


Or


Tell them you will cancel the order and they will only have to pay the company standard re-stocking fee of 10% of total order.

 

[big4life]

Sometimes you can't be diplomatic with people. I know that you have to treat them in a professional manner, but surely your bosses will back you up if their checks keep bouncing. That means they are not going to be paid or will have to go to court to settle the bills.

BTW. This better be for your primary job and not "your" side business. If it's for your business, then the hell with being diplomatic.

 

[Warik]

How do I make this clear in a politically correct manner?

The problem is that you are trying to make it clear in a politically correct manner.

Leave the political correctness for politicians and charities. You're trying to run a business here and these people think you are the Salvation Army.

I have never heard of a business that delivers material goods prior to receiving payment. You aren't fixing their car or painting the house. Tell them that you require payment in the correct amount before any further items are delivered, and if that payment is not sent soon, then the likelihood of having everything done by Thanksgiving is close to zero.

Then tell them that you are very busy and do not have time to explain yourself 10 times.

They say that the customer is always right, even when he's wrong. Here's the catch - you're not a damn customer until you buy something... i.e. PAY FOR IT!!!

-Warik

 

[THeMaCHinE]

I know they know it's about not receiving payment because the male half has actually said, "why is it all about the money?", "what you think were not going to pay you?"

I've made very clear the process, take deposit, order goods, goods ready, bill for balance, balance paid order delivered.

It sounds like they are scammers -- that they will take advantage of you as long as they can. When he asks if it's all about the money, say "right now, yes" -- and that if money truly wasn't important to him than he would have paid you by now. And that if he is unable, then there is a problem...

Essentially, by telling him you need payment, you have drawn a line in the sand, but your ass is also hanging in the wind. If you stand by what you have said, you will not render any more services until you see cash -- of course you are already extended to the tune of 200k, so there will likely be a court battle if they decide not to pay you.

If you continue to render service, then he has no reason to take what you say seriously... You may or may not get the money, and if you do, who knows when?

People that bounce checks are unpredictable at best. It sounds like it might be time to stand ground and see where it goes. Maybe he will pay you. If not, you at least cut your losses and can pursue him through the courts, put a lien on the property, etc...

 

[velvett]

I've tried most of that.

I've been nice, not nice, rude, nasty and rude both verbal and via pen although not bad enough written to later come back to haunt me.

The work that was done - unfortunately - the contractor/cabinet builder did against my pleading not to. He is/was star struck (high profile TV people) and I really don't know what he was thinking.

There's 23,000 worth of lighting over due currently 45 days - they wanted to know today why I dan't placed the order. I explain that I do not handle the lighting and that they need to call the Lighting Designer.

I have said this three times today - the third time I told him and his accountant that the lighting designer has told me on numerous occassions he can't order the remaining light heads and switches until he was been paid and that perhaps they should call him directly. That was not a good enough answer - and unfortunately I had to put them on hold and they hung up.

(FUCKERS!)



Y-lifter - I can't blame them but I'm not the boss so my word is not the final word, my bosses were star struck too - the bounced checks ended it for them

Changes of rules - I totally agree - do the same job the same way everytime for every client. I fight about this policy near daily - trust me - if I had this big of a mouth any where else I would long since told to mind my own.

Frankly - I don't even want to speak to them on the phone about this but they call constantly WHEN WHEN WHEN and tell them WHEN WHEN WHEN $$$$$$ is paid.

 

[big4life]

I know that you can't do this for professional and business reasons, but if word were to slip out to one of the tabloids in town about them bouncing checks and not paying their bills........


I know you can't, but still it's a nice thought.

 

[The Shadow]

(FUCKERS!)

Damn.................

















...that was HOT.

 

[Temple]

Children often throw temper tantrums because it gets them what they want. These folks sound like very large two year olds to me. They think if they scream loudly enough that you will give in and do what they want.
Do you HAVE to talk to them...take their calls etc.? I would simply tell them that when they pay the bills you will be happy to finish the project and until such time as they do you really have nothing further to discuss with them. Then until you see some cash don't talk to them.

 

[Fonz]

I have this client that does not take, "when the deposits are paid, the product will be ordered" or "when the bills are paid the product will be delivered" for an answer.

I have said politely and rather bluntly, unless the bill is PAID in full no products will be installed or placed into their apartment (even thought a lot already has been).

I am at my witts end.

They DEMAND to be in for Thanksgiving yet lie about checks being sent, owe over 200,000 just on construction costs, have sent 3 checks to the tune of 175,000 that have all bounced (some twice)and scream at me why their stuff *isn't in*.

How do I make this clear in a politically correct manner?

I know they know it's about not receiving payment because the male half has actually said, "why is it all about the money?", "what you think were not going to pay you?"

I've made very clear the process, take deposit, order goods, goods ready, bill for balance, balance paid order delivered.

Take them to court NOW.

Those kind of people think they are above the "little things".
like paying "measly"(lol) bills.

$175K+ is not a small sum.

I'd do what Supernav suggested.

Btw, I think you're being strung along.(No disrespect Velvett but it seems that way)

Fonz

 

[velvett]

Temple -
You have no idea how on the money you are with that (teehee I made a punnie)

Supernav-
The 200k is the balance of cabinetry and construction. Fortunately the lighting has stopped everything forcefully because it effects the electrical being finished, media cabinetry, the audio/visual installation and c/o going through.


Fonz -
Oh course they're being strung along - but it's not that I am being strung along it's the bosses - I'm just the messenger stuct in the middle and neither the client nor the my bosses want to listen to the blunt reality that spews from my mouth.


Just before we all left work the male client called - THANK GOD I was on the other line and my female boss had to deal with it. He actually pulled the race card - I'm still stunned.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?

Why should the color of your skin effect the color and buying power of cold hard cash?





Oh I can't wait to see where this goes....

 

[naturally anabolic]

so im assuming they are black then, i often wonder why people pull the race card....what is it like "oh i dont feel im being treated fairly so i will just say its a race thing" do they never think they could be the ones at fault?

 

[velvett]

so im assuming they are black then, i often wonder why people pull the race card....what is it like "oh i dont feel im being treated fairly so i will just say its a race thing" do they never think they could be the ones at fault?

I'm not willling to say - but it's ridiculous b/c my boss isn't even white.

 

[Fonz]

Temple -
You have no idea how on the money you are with that (teehee I made a punnie)

Supernav-
The 200k is the balance of cabinetry and construction. Fortunately the lighting has stopped everything forcefully because it effects the electrical being finished, media cabinetry, the audio/visual installation and c/o going through.


Fonz -
Oh course they're being strung along - but it's not that I am being strung along it's the bosses - I'm just the messenger stuct in the middle and neither the client nor the my bosses want to listen to the blunt reality that spews from my mouth.


Just before we all left work the male client called - THANK GOD I was on the other line and my female boss had to deal with it. He actually pulled the race card - I'm still stunned.

WHAT THE FUCK IS THAT?

Why should the color of your skin effect the color and buying power of cold hard cash?





Oh I can't wait to see where this goes....

If and when they do pay up.

MAKE THEM pay the interest incured on their bills. 17%APR
sounds nice.

Fonz

 

[big4life]

Some people will always try to get something for nothing, or less than they would have paid if they played it straight. They might be hoping that if they hold out long enough that your bosses will offer to settle for less than full value. No matter how much some people have, they are always looking for ways to save a buck or make one, legal or otherwise.

 

[SofaGeorge]

Velvett darling,

You stated that these are "high profile TV people" so I am assuming you mean celebrity actors.

I've been a film/TV writer/producer for most of my adult life (although now I do infomercials.) We have a rule in TV:

NEVER LOAN MONEY TO AN ACTOR!

I don't care who it is. If you do you will never see the money again. Would you like me to PM you a list of the celebrities who owe me money?

Actors live in a fantasy world where people tell them they are important and they foolishly start to believe it. It stunts their emotional and intellectual development. They are in effect demanding and ill manered children.

Their attempts to bully you to get their way with the credit is similar to a 5 year old trying to test the limits with mom and dad by dragging his feet about bedtime. They are going to push and push to see what they can get away with.

The secret to dealing with actors is to understand the fundemental insecurity that they live with each moment of their lives. They know at a base level that their world and their self image is not real. You smack that home when you say, "No."

They'll kick. They'll scream. They'll throw their best tantrum. Still, no means no.

It's bedtime. Tell them to go brush their teeth and get to bed.

 

[velvett]

dial -up connections _ SUCK MUCH...

 

[velvett]

They're not actors.

One is a TV personality, one is a producer and they own several restaurants amongst other businesses.

It's just crazy at this point - I can't even begin to tell you today's adventure, I may have to run over their accountant.


Note to self: Rent a white Bronco....

 

[SofaGeorge]

They're not actors.

One is a TV personality, one is a producer and they own several restaurants amongst other businesses.

It's just crazy at this point - I can't even begin to tell you today's adventure, I may have to run over their accountant.


Note to self: Rent a white Bronco....

Hee hee... give their home phone number to Home Shopping Network... saying you are interested in a product. They will be plagued by telephone sales for years.