Customer owes for two months wants appt!

[scullysmom]

We have a customer who owes for approximately 250.00 in past due grooming bills. She said that she did not owe, stopped coming in, then said after checking her payments she did owe and would pay her bill. She booked an appointment. Her check never came in of course. We called her and told her we could not groom her dog until her bill was situated. This customer can be abrasive at best. Did we do the right thing? I felt we had to stop and act like business people for once, but I feel bad for not giving the benefit of the doubt. She has been a slow-pay before.

[PoodlePal]

I think you handled it appropriately. I would recommend a sign at your front desk or in your grooming vehicle stating that "payment is due when services are rendered" or on your invoice stating "payment due upon receipt."

[toomuchfunbnme]

Good job. No pay=No Groom. I would not have rescheduled her after the first non payment. I personally would never schedule a service appointment for myself or my pet without having the money to pay for it. (Plus leave a nice tip) I can not imagine doing such a thing. And how does one forget that they owe someone $250? I can't beleive she even used "the checks in the mail" routine. Yikes. And she is abrasive too. Wow. I feel sorry for her dog, but not for her. If you are worried because you want to be a compassionate business person, you can be a compassionate business person without letting clients beat you up and abuse you. Be confidant that you did the right thing. Remember that the more successful you are as a business person, the more people you can help who truly need it and appreciate it. Good luck.

[Cosette]

I have a "payment due at time of services" policy so I've never dealt with this type of situation before. However, it seems to me you've already given her the "benefit of the doubt" more than once. First, when you groomed her dog a second time without requiring her to pay the previous balance owed, and second, when you booked a third appointment and gave her the chance to mail a check.
I don't know all of the circumstance involved, but based on what you've told us so far, I would not schedule another appointment for her dog until she pays the balance owed in full AND pays for her next appointment.
Sheri

[pamperedpups]

Edited.

[hairdevil]

no I would not book another appointment with her until the bill is paid. I don't think legally though you can hold someones dog for nonpayment. Better check with an attorney before trying to pull that off! just in case!!

[carla]

No way would I groom the dog if she owes money.

[redbird]

?

You have given her 250 benifits of a doubt and she knows it.

You are not the electric company, where someone is going to freeze to death if they don't get power.

I would never bill for a service that is not a necessity anyhow.

You groom the dog, you get paid for that dog that day. Period.

[misscatahoula]

Given her payment history, I'd want the 250.00 plus the full amount of the next grooming upfront in cash before I'd groom her dog again.

[scullysmom]

Thanks you guys!! I thought it was right, just wanted to check. It was a horrible deal to. 20 bones a groom every two weeks. We really technically would have lost money even if it was paid. This deal was brought to us by another shop (who went out of buisness). Oh yes, we used to pick up and deliver the dog and do nail caps.

[mustluvdogs1]

Get money sent upront first

I don't even have to read this one to know you need to be paid before any more grooms are scheduled or performed...You already know this...don't be a pushover. You deserve to be paid for past services rendered...it is theft of service. Court may or may not be worth it. If you take Monday off or work a Sunday to make up for lost time.

[Mary1980]

Put up a sign that says.....We'll give credit when banks cut dog hair. lol

[Tzu-crazee]

This lady is simply a BULLY. No $$ No groom.

[sheilabgroomer]

You ABSOULTELY did the right thing and most people understand that as much as we may enjoy what we do, we do it to survive!
I got a phone call from my son's after school center yesterday. The worker politely informed me that we missed last week's payment and could we please send it in Tyler's bookbag or drop it off when he is picked up. OF COURSE!!! I was horribly embarassed that we missed a payment, but it was an honest oversight. As much as I hope they enjoy keeping Tyler I certainly don't expect them to do it for no pay! If she balks at paying or acts to abrasive tell her that you think she would be happier taking her dog elsewhere. Who needs that kind of stress where she is making you chase down money owed you!!

[mint2b]

I have never

I have never heard of billing for grooming. I had a lady to come to me years ago who promised to come back to pay and I knew that she was not coming back. I grew up in the same nieghborhood as she did.I didnt want to keep the dog for payment. I had already been stuck with a couple of dogs before.Where do these people come from?Yeah Im judging them people like this can really make you not trust people. I cant believe you asked if you did the right thing.