BILL COLLECTOR at the door

[Dottonedan]

YOu know, I'm sitting here working and I hear DING DONG.  Got to the door and it's my cable/phone/internet service.


Guy says, I'm here to collect your payment or disconnect your service.  WHAT?  Really?  what for?  Well, you never paid your bill.

Really?  Wow.  how late is it?  Guy says. Was due on the first.  Wow man. I missed it. So they send you guys out to collect in person? It's like not even 30 days late. Yep. they make us collect or disconnect after a 5 day grace period. WOW.  Ok. So I had to pay by paypal card on the spot. Oh. wait,  paypal is low. So, I called a customer to check on a payment and realized I was basically doing the same thing. LOL. See, what goes around comes around. LOL.




Talk about nailing customers for money quick fast and in a hurry.  Back in West Virginia and Pa, they never actually came to your door. Thats the first time I ever experienced that.  Must be the tough times. They want to make sure they collect on you.

[mk162]

and in the middle of the day?

[Socalfmf]

they do it for commercial accounts here..1 day late they send the truck...amazing...

sam

[Frog]

In San Francisco (as well as many other cities, I'm sure) the trash companies are known to have ties to "questionable" groups, you know, the ones who make offers you can't refuse. At least, that's how it was when I lived there thirty years ago.
Anyway, a buddy of mine two doors away was very flaky about paying bills, and these guys showed up after 10:00 pm on a Sunday night!

As for the disconnect. Not only do they not want you to get service for which you aren't paying, but they'd like the re-connection fee as well.

[Command-Z]

You should have told the guy that if he "worked with you" on this one, there will be future work down the road.

[Dottonedan]

You should have told the guy that if he "worked with you" on this one, there will be future work down the road.

Hahaha.    Love that one.

[ebscreen]

In San Francisco (as well as many other cities, I'm sure) the trash companies are known to have ties to "questionable" groups, you know, the ones who make offers you can't refuse.

Andy, I crap you not, when I was getting trash service setup at my new shop I called a trash company
that didn't serve my area, and the lady literally said "oh, that's Concord Disposal's turf."

Turf.

[whitewater]

Dan..you dont need cable..it rots the brain...

[Dottonedan]

Ha,.  but I do need high speed internet cable.

[GraphicDisorder]

Auto debit for the win.

[RICK STEFANICK]

In our area time warner is really flexible. but our coop electric company will not extend commercial accounts. they put these electronic things on the meter and will shut it off after 4 days late. period. no options.

[Frog]

Auto debit for the win.

In my experience, many of the same folks who are late on bills, also screw up on their checking balance.
They seem, in fact at times, to be the bank's bread and butter.


You and Dan excepted, of course.

[Dottonedan]

Auto debit for the win.

In my experience, many of the same folks who are late on bills, also screw up on their checking balance.
They seem, in fact at times, to be the bank's bread and butter.


You and Dan excepted, of course.

I have a bank that makes money off of me. An account waisted. I have a "business account" at Regions. It was "free checking' when I opened it. Now, after two years, they are charging $15.00 per month.  Ok.  I understand. I cost them money just to have it and keep record of it. Why have it?


I have these "3 decent customers" that prefer to send checks. I talked to them about it and they demand to cut Co. checks only. No paypal and not credit card. One of these guys was very VERY anal about it. In fact, said that if I don't take his check, he would be forced to use someone else. I debated to let him. Still might. So it cost me $180.00 per year to take jobs from them. Al in all, I prob. earn $4000 from these customers in separations annually. So I guess it's worth it. THen also, some places require you to have a real life "business account' in order to do "business" with you. Wha?  yeah.  Couple of wholesalers required me to provide  proof of business bank account.

[Frog]

I deal 99% local face to face
Easily, at least half of my business is checks. The younger folks pay cash.
I spell out my policy when we first talk or email. Cash, check, or, in a pinch, Paypal which allows them credit card or their PayPal account.

My wife and I have a joint checking account, and each of our businesses have one. As I told you when we were dealing with the forum account, we dropped our pay-to-play accounts with Chase, and went with a smaller regional bank. They are out there, and are competitive on these services.

Credit unions are a popular alternative as well.

[beanie357]

We are blessed with a strong financial setup. Bills are paid as they arrive or on Weds. when my shared bookeeper comes in.
We just plan a months bills and enter as recurring in QB, so if they don't show, we know. Gotten used to doing other peoples jobs to maintain a standing.
We also tap our various amexs to pay bills for those who do not charge extra for travel points. Cruise in July!!!
We use 3 local or regional banks. None charge us. We rotate capital project loans among them. No fees or no business. Keeps them on their toes. I alway reccomend business owners take 4 semesters of accounting at local county colleges. Pays huge dividends.
Many companies, not just utilities have cut their net days, and get the invoices out slower, as they shrink the dept. to save payroll. Sucks.
I spend more of my time on the financial end than the ops end, and that stinks, but finances are why we are all here-isn't it?