Non-Paying Customers: How it affects businesses
Every single person in this economy today is being cautious on how they spend their money and saving anywhere they can, which is very understandable. Small businesses are going out of business left and right due to the economy and not being able to bring in the money they need to stay afloat. The businesses that are still on this roller coaster of an economy, are trying to cut back all they can too to keep treading water through the rough seas of this economy.
I have noticed how many customers are using this economy as an excuse to pay their bills or invoices. Believe me, I know money is tight right now but if you call out a business for a service call and agree to the contract you should commit to it. It’s understandable if something goes wrong with your piping, something broke down, etc. and you didn’t plan on it, where you are wondering how to come up with the money to get it fixed… But it’s another thing when you have someone come out for an estimate/service call for whatever business it might be and then you decide you don’t want to pay them. You would not believe the calls (or you probably do) when invoices are sent out to customers and they call in saying that they don’t think they should pay that much for the service, when they agreed to it in the first place. So many call in each time trying to take money off their bill or invoice with numerous excuses. I don’t think that some truly know what it takes to run a business, even a small one. You have your man power that you have to provide payroll to, gas to get to places/houses, parts, utilities, insurance and the list goes on. What will happen to businesses when all customers keep trying to take money off their bills or cheat out of paying them? You can’t use the excuse “it’s the economy and I can’t pay you.” When you sign a contract, you abide by it and keep your word, that’s just how it is.
So customers, next time you decide to con your way out of paying an invoice, just remember what all we have to do to keep our business running and the best it can be.
