Non-paying cash customer

[WindshieldMedic]

Has anybody run into a cash customer that decides not to pay you after you successfully repair his/her windshield? What do you do? Do you take the cash up front or wait until you finish the job?

[Coitster]

It happens occasionaly that someone will not pay you for a windshield repair. They will give different excusses sometimes. For example I told a lady that her chip would disapear about 85% but she would still see a scar. I got done and WOW, the chip was like 98% gone. You couldn't even see it from the outside. She came outside and then sat in the vehicle and could see a very, very small distortion about 5% worth. She said that she expected it to disapear all the way. I said "I told you there would still be a scar." She still refused to pay for it, saying that she was just going to replace the windshield.

Now I knew that she had no intention of replacing it but their was nothin I could do, sometimes you are going to have to deal with jerks. Its not worth my time to get in some big debate with the customer. Just move on to the next job and forget about it. It almost never happens.
David
Coitster

[screenman]

Most you win some you lose. Make sure you always undersell and over deliver.
Remember you are replacing the strenght of the screen first the cosmetic improvements are a bonus. We all know that the large combination will not come out 99% so do not sell it as such.

Just get on to the next job and learn something from this experience.

I have only had it happen once in 18 years.

[GlassStarz]

Undersell over deliver never had anyone try not to pay but the 6,4" 220 lb thing might come into play there

[Layne]

Hmmmm---Might just say that I need to tap this lightly with this little hammer to smooth everything out...Oooops!

[Bois]

Layne, I know how you feel.
Sometimes I had a windshield vodoo "doll" for those customers who give an excuse for not having the repair fixed or say they'll stop by next week, etc.

Dale...

[toab]

From what I gather this is a case where you just have to eat it and move on because the time that you spend useing small claims justice turns out to be down time on your part during business hours when you could be out fixing windshields for somebody else.The only part that I have not figured out is how to act when I leave the site so that they do not bad mouth my business to 50 other people but still get my point accross that i've been ripped off.

[jonnyques]

didnt you ever make practice bulls eyes? Id just offer to put the damage back in. Then see what they say. After all if she going to replace it anyway, what should she care. I just say its a refund. Ok Id explane that it is a good repair, and the advantages of repair over the replacement option. Also remind her of what was offered... THIS IS A REPAIR!. ID then mention that I will file a mechanical lean against the vehicle for a non payment ( I dont know if you can do that in the USA). At this point your never going to get a referal from her anyway, so personaly, Id have fun with it and just stress her out abit. I just wouldnt want her to walk away with that great feeling of knowing she just screwed you and got something for free.

[chippy]

Boy! I'd sure hate to be a dissatisfied customer of yours, Jonny.

"Stress her out a bit"?!?! Fun? Wow!

[Frank EU]

Providing the job has been done correctly, and the communications with the given customer have been according professional standards, then I would say that Jonnygues is right. If it would come that far, I even would have the customer being chased by a debt collecting agency. What happens in another business? Will they allow you to get away without being paid? Business is business! You won't get a referal anyway from her.