Note From Customer: “I’m Not Paying This Invoice”

Have you been sending out late notices to people for their invoices and noticing some sending them back to you with the side note “I’m not paying this invoice…”  Do you have a few people who always seem to give you problems with paying or say that they should not have to pay that fee that they agreed to in the  first place?  I know you have at least a few of them in your company system that  won’t cooperate and pay you back for the service you completed for them. 

Many customers like to threaten businesses with the fact that they can put a bad word in at the Better Business Bureau to let others not to use your business if you don’t lower the price or if they don’t get their way.  Well my friends, you should start using BusinessBeware.biz to your advantage by letting the customer know that you can place he/she on a site to warn other businesses about non-paying customers too, two can play at that game for sure! 

I kid you not, we have had more people tell us that they used the name BusinessBeware.biz to “threaten” the customer as well and a few days later the customer sends in a check.  We have had numerous testimonials about that, which is great!  If you don’t have to place someone on there, at least use the site to your advantage to collect your payments!  We want you to get paid for your service and business, it’s not fair to always cut prices just to make some customers happy even when they agreed to it in the first place.  So use Business Beware to your advantage and get the customer to pay up!

Firing You’re Bad Customers

I was browsing the website inc.com this morning as I always do for some inspiring stories to read to help me keep pushing towards my dreams as well.  I stumbled across this article called “You’re Fired: Getting Rid of Bad Customers.”   I could not help but have a huge grin across my face as I thought “oh what a perfect article to show on our blog and just proves that there are bad customers…” 

“Certain situations, however, call for a more rigid stance, he says. Allowing a habitually late-paying customer to freeload on services, for instance, drains company resources….” 

To read more visiti: “You’re Fired: Getting Rid of Bad Customers”

Enjoy your Wednesday!

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. 

www.businessbeware.biz

DeadBeat Customers and Clients

How many times have you dealt with a client or customer that made your day miserable, cheated your company or didn’t pay you?  Yeah I can see you knodding your head as you read that…

Deadbeat customers put a damper on businesses and a bad taste in their mouths about customers in general.  It’s already bad enough that customers take advantage of businesses, but for it to happen with the way our economy is at the moment, definitely does not help businesses situations with money. 

I can’t tell you how many people and friends I have talked to who have been dealing with deadbeat clients even more so with the economy.  It’s a drag to put alot of time and money into a project for someone and then not get paid or have to go through hell to complete the job. 

Customer service is a good thing for business but it’s also a two way street, where the customer should hold up their agreement they made with you.  If you have deadbeat clients or customers you want to warn others about, please visit our site at www.businessbeware.biz

With the economy being down, and when you DO get a job, make sure you get paid!

What Makes a Bad Customer and Why the Slogan “the customer is always right” is Not Always True

I know I am about to embark in a territory that most would argue with even just the heading, but no holding back now…

I have always grown up knowing this simple phrase “The Customer is Always Right.”  Many people grow up believing this concept and taught to treat your customers right, which is the right thing to do. Like I have said before, this slogan is not entirely true in today’s society like it use to be.  I have always interpreted it in the sense that it was not whether the customer was or is actually correct but the customer is entitled to their point of view while the business should meet the needs and demands of the customer.  

Let’s be honest, not many truly believe that every customer is always right.  But as businesses, we are entitled to treat them with respect of their point of view, which is key to running a good business and to keep the customers coming back.  The slogan is typically used by businesses to:

1. Convince customers that they will get good service at this company
2. Convince employees to give customers good service

Some customers use this slogan to fight back at the company, but too many times a customer will use it to try and demand just about anything.  What I find is that some of the nicest people will not use that against you and be as calm as can be and work it out with you.  It’s those abusive customers who try to manipulate businesses over and over that get businesses fired up.  Even big companies like Lowe’s, Home Depot, Wal-Mart, etc. deal with idiots that keep coming back trying to scam them at their large stores.  It’s like you can have a great group of kids, but there is always going to be a bully or two in the group, which is just like business with customers.  You have some great ones and so oh no so great ones.

Some customers are bad for your business… We had a customer before call in who needed a service call for her irrigation system.  We responded and worked her in within 4-5 days (busy time of the year too)  and looked up her information and she had not used us since ‘05.  We went out there to fix a few broken pipes she had and do some other maintenance to the system she wanted done as well.  We finished and the next day she decided she wanted to add a few more heads to the system, so we explained that it would be a follow-up and additional charges for labor and materials, which she agreed to.  After fixing everything, a good two day’s worth of work we sent her the invoice.  A few days later she called back saying that we were not there that long and she did not clear it with us to add the heads, but I guess she must have forgotten that she signed the change order on site the first day to add the additional parts.  After going back and forth she said that she would report us if we did not take some off her bill and also pulled the card “the customer is always right.” Oops, like I said I guess she forgot about that signature…she finally sent in the check about a month later and wrote us a letter that she was not using our service ever again.  Now I hate losing customers but as I read that letter, there was a sigh of relief that we did not have to deal with her anymore.  These customers will only cause you headaches and more trouble than they’re worth.

We’ve all heard that a happy customer will tell 5 people/friends about your business and unhappy one will tell about 100.  Of course if the customer is really upset, they have many outlets to go talk about your business and file a complaint.  You want to prevent this from happening because it can hurt your business, especially if it’s online, everyone will hear about it.  But you can’t make everyone happy, that’s just a fact.  If you do happen to see yourself on a blog or forum, write back to tell your side and be professional about it while you write it so others will see that.  DON’T do it on an emotional whim, we all know how those turn out in the end.

Dealing with customers is almost dealing with kids, they will sometimes push the limit to see how far they can go.  Make sure customers know up front about your policies and charges for service, etc.  Be honest with them and hopefully they will be honest with you when you try giving them the benefit of the doubt.

What is the point if you have one of these customers that gives you so much trouble each time you deal with them and cringe each time they call your office?  Why keep putting yourself through the same thing each time where you have to suck up to them?  No one is better than the other person, if they think they are above you, they have it wrong and don’t let them treat you that way.  If the customer threatens to not use your company again, remember what you were told as a kid “if you gave it your best and did all you could, don’t look back.”  If you did the best you can with trying to please that customer, don’t break your back for them and don’t look back, keep looking forward.  Your business is YOUR business, don’t let others run you around and make decisions for you, make them yourself and stick to what you believe is the best route for your business.

Plain and simple: some customers are not right and if they want to be rude and threaten you, smile and say “we thank you for your business but there are also plenty of other companies in our area you can use.”  That’s not you being rude, that’s just being as nice as you can saying you don’t need their business.  There are too many great customers out there to be worried about and wasting all your time on the ones that are just trying to drain you for what they can…

 

www.businessbeware.biz

Tips for Dealing with Bully Customers

So we have all dealt with a bully customer at least once in our lives. You know the one I’m talking about too where they call you and go off on you to show how tough they are when youre sitting there trying to get a word in.  Here are a few tips when you come in contact with these customers:

#1 Dont Take it Personal. -Which is exactly what I mean when I say that.  When a customer calls and just starts to lay into you, just listen to them because you know you won’t get a word in but also don’t take what they are saying personal.

#2 Ignore the language. – When they start dropping some curse words in while they go off on you, don’t let it get under your skin.  Sometimes that can make us more mad when we hear them say those things, just ignore it. 

#3 Don’t talk about what you can’t do, tell them what you CAN do. – Customers don’t want to hear about things you can’t do for them, they want to know what you can or will do for them.   It stinks I know but if you do that you will win their heart and loyalty.

#4 If you do everything you can and they still give you trouble, tell them you don’t need their business. - I mean exactly that too.  If a customer will not cooperate with you after you do all you can for them, then you can simply say and in a nice way, “we don’t need your business.”   Let me clarify what I mean here…As a business you should not resort to this at first, this is if this customer absolutely cannot be pleased and they give you more problems than they do business.  Every business has at least one of these or deals with one along the way.  If everytime you get a call from this customer that is not happy about something each time, then you don’t have to keep bending over backwards for them.  Customers are important to a business but not if they cause you problems.

#5 Sometimes when they make a mistake they look to blame it on you even though they made the mistake.

Remember, these are just some tips from my experience.  Don’t be intimidated by the bully customers, alot of them are all talk.  If you do everything you can for the customer, then you did what you can and after that I would not look back.  And if none of the above work, when a customer starts yelling just smile back at them, they can’t stand it   (and what I mean by this, is what I have always been taught is ‘Kill them with kindness.”)

www.businessbeware.biz

Bad Customers, Good Service, Why do they still run their mouth?

I came across an article today that talked about how if a customer has a bad experience at your business, 80% of the time they don’t return to your business.  Which is very true.  But the article also talked about how bad customers are with when they do have a bad experience, they voice it twice as bad as they do when they actually like your business.  And once again this is very, very true.

I have never understood why customers go off about a company they don’t like moreso than they do when they really like a certain company.  I guess it’s like you’re back in high school where people want to spread the rumors and gossip opposed to actually praising others.  Hmm, I so looked forward to getting out of high school and away from that but I soon realized that it never changes throughout your life…

Okay, I am a business owner and of course customers are important to me, they are what keep me in business.  Just because I started Business Beware does not mean that I completely throw customer service out the door by any means.  You have to treat others right when they come to your business, but you are always going to have a few that just absolutely cannot be pleased in any way (that’s the reason for Business Beware). As a business, you can’t expect to bring in profits if you are downright rude to people, if you hate customers, maybe you should not be in business or own one for that matter.  You have to follow some of the rules with customer service, because you know good and well once that customer walks out the door, they either hated you or loved you.   No, you cannot please everyone but if you know that you did your best in serving the customer then stand by that. 

I know that customers hate the fact that they could be complained about on Business Beware, but you know quite frankly we as a business don’t like the fact there are many sites our name could be on as well, but there is nothing we can do about it except run our business the way we know how and provide the best customer service we can.   Like I was saying at the beginning of this post, customers are going to shout it out twice as bad if they don’t like your service and business.  They go to their blog to write about how bad it was, they contact news people to let them know, they contact the BBB, and many other things just to be heard.   Bottom line, if you’re a business, smile, run your business like you know how, be proud, be nice and helpful and if you run into someone who just is absolutely a nasty customer, then file a complaint on Business Beware  

Over and Out!

www.businessbeware.biz

Contractors, Customers and One Side of the Story

I have heard many times that no matter how you look at sites like the BBB or Business Beware, that there are always one sides of the stories…. That is like with anything though. 

Let’s say you own a business and you go to the BBB to do a search on your business.  You might come up with a few complaints filed against your business.  You were not contacted to allow the comment or complaint to posted.  It was posted and you do have the choice to write back about the complaint but you hear the customers side of the story first. So in hearing their side first, you may automatically assume that the business is no good.  We all know that some customers may overreact and some things may be taken way out of hand, but that complaint is there against you. 

The problem with today’s society is that there are so many opinions out there that everyone thinks and interprets things differently.  Everyone is entitled to their own opinion but sometimes, yes it can piss others off just as well. 

There is no difference in what Business Beware offers for businesses as the BBB offers for the consumer.  Yeah a contractor may file a complaint against a customer who ripped them off, but you know, maybe that customer should not have done it in the first place.  Hopefully customers will now think twice about how they treat some businesses and contractors.  So many consumer forums are out there, that when I hear others rate Business Beware, they say well you only hear one side of the story…. I sort of missed where the BBB, Consumers in Control, etc. you only hear one side of the story as well. 

To break it down, no one is ever going to be happy with what they read or if someone goes against them, that’s just how it is.  But if there are some customers who need to be called out on what they do to businesses, then maybe they will learn they can’t get away with it as easy as they use to now that businesses have Business Beware.  There are always two sides to the story, but everyone has to pick a side as well.

www.businessbeware.biz

Collecting Money in a Bad Economy

Trying to collect money from customers can sometimes be difficult but now more than ever with the economy it seems to be worse.  Those customers who usually pay on time are even starting to get behind in some of their payments.  Everyone, especially small businesses are strapped for cash right now and holding on to what they have.  If you do get into some trouble with collecting money from a customer that owes you, here are some tips that might help you out.

Go ahead and get a partial down payment for the job before hand.  When we do our jobs, we get at least 40% down payment to help cover the materials we have to get in so at least we are not in the hole with that if they are late paying.

Make sure all your prices and quotes are clear when you give them the contract or bill.  If you do not write down everything, they will find ways to bring that back on you and say “it was not in the contract”  This is so important not to leave out of your information to them.  It saves you in the long run.

Contact the customer after you have not received the payment.  Contact them quickly after to touch base with them, don’t wait and put it off.  Customers cannot stand when a business calls them weeks later about a bill, maybe they did not even receive and then you go off on them.  So just stay on top of it all so it works for you and the customer.

If you honestly cannot get a thing out of the customer and they will not contact you back, consider turning it over to collections.  If the work was done and you tried contacting them but they have yet to get back to you and ignored the bill, then you might consider turning them over to collections.

And then of course, if this customer was completely a nightmare to deal with or you think others should be warned about them, then you definitely should file them on Business Beware   This is exactly why this site exists to warn businesses about these customers!

Those are just a few tips, but even if you stick to these few simple steps it will save you a few headaches!

www.businessbeware.biz

Complaints against contractors…Dishonest contractors

Okay, so I cannot tell you how many times I come across articles that say how the customers are so mad and want to sew some contractor over something they had done to their house, etc.  I totally understand this point of view from being a customer when you hire others to come to your house for a remodel or whatever the case may be.  You just want things done right and to what you want it to look like.

Homeowner complaints against contractors have been on the rise for quite some time but alot of this has to do with the simple fact that with our economy the way it has been going and alot of people that are out of work are doing things on the side….not licensed.  Yes people or some ‘Contractors’ are scamming you and doing a poor job of the work you want done because they either have no experience or do not have a license.  This is partly your fault as a customer as well.  You want to make sure that when you have a contractor come to your house that the person or company has a license, don’t just assume… we all know where assuming gets us. 

Just because these things happen and contractor fools you don’t let it make you think that all contractors are bad.  It’s just like politicians, there are some terrible ones out there and we think oh they’re all terrible but just remember there are some out there that are great despite the bad apples.

If you want to do a search for contractors you can trust ask your friends and neighbors, do a search on Angie’s list for reviews or you can even revert to the Better Business Bureau if you want.  Just remember that there can always be one bad/crazy person that can make the others in the group have a bad name, so don’t jump to conclusions!

www.businessbeware.biz