As some of you guys are in a larger market ,there is proberly a policy that you can follow but those of us sole traders we have to us intuition and deplomasy .I.E.
I had a customer that queeried her bill, and wasn't going to pay for some items she said she didn't have, now this would be unusual as evertime the family or her came in they where ALWAYS told the price of what they had before I, only I added to the bill,now this family where big spenders in my shop and I didn't want to lose them, but with all the heated arguement that we had in the end I said that they had agreed on what they had and should therefore pay up,but no she wouldn't budge.
Ok I wasn't going to argue any more and if she didn't pay for the goods I would have no choice but ask her to leave and not return.
Now this woman has, by law stolen from me .
I have no choice but to leave it there, and forget about it ,It winds me up like hell.
It's not on that some people think they have the god given right to take what they like when they like without paying for it.
ok are we talking about a package of several items or just One big item? is this a case of where she picked up a box of several things and one thing was missing? if so forget that one thing if she is a big spender as long as she is paying for everything else she did get. but if its a case where she is saying she didn't get any of the stuff she is being billed for and you are certain this wasn't a mix up with another customer and you are certain she did indeed get what you are attempting to bill her for then you do not have to just leave it there. you can prosecute to the fullest extent of law and thats what you should do.
-- Edited by fdarn on Wednesday 26th of October 2011 01:45:20 PM
Sorry fdarn I didn't explain, just needed a rant. My shop has been trading as a butchers shop for over 200 years (not what it says on my web site) and in that time people (the holiday makers) have been using it for most of their lives as they have second holiday homes here. This particular family whom I've got to know over the 4 years that have owned the shop ,They have a credit account which I total up at the end of the summer. Each and every item they have of me is logged by me and me only not my staff. As they make their purchase I tell ,and give them a invoice with said items and price. Now this was disputed and an arguement was enfueled by this (I could not keep a cool head on this one as they did the same last year). I was not happy that millionaires have the cheek to basically take the piss out of normal hard working people .
I just don't know why they disputed what they knew was TRUE.
I have had that happen to me. I still let them shop with me they just lost charging priveliges. they pay as they go and we are now both happy and I figure I am ahead in the game because they still shop with me. but it is a bear to go through it. I firmly believe that is why these rich ones have the money is because they are willing to screw whoever they need to to be able to keep it.
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I'm not a vegetarian, but have eaten many animals that were.
Thats gotta make you feel good doesnt it? I'm happy that you got your money, and an apology to boot! I just had another thought, do you have them sign the charge slip when they come in? May not be a bad idea, thats what I have all my wholesale customers that have charging priveleges do. Saves a lot of headaches then I can tell them who signed and what day it was. Very glad you got your money!!!
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I'm not a vegetarian, but have eaten many animals that were.
Good to see it get resolved. To add how we do things at my store, we always give the customer the benefit of the doubt. We know people rip us off constantly, but they always shop constantly. Let me tell you a little about our store: it's in one of the wealthiest parts of the country. The people think they are entitled. They have money to burn. So why make a big deal?
That's not the point. They don't care about the money. You do. They don't.
The point is is that they are looking for a 'win.' It's a game to them. They have to win (steal with your permission) every now and then. It's maddening if you're not used to it. But they will always continue to shop, and when they do, you win. That's how they define themselves as 'loyal customers.' We let them get away with it so they will return. Now these aren't the people that have $100 baskets of groceries--they are those who have $300-500 baskets.
That's why you don't burn your bridges. That's why you give a little to get a little. They aren't stupid. They have connections and you want those connections as well. I would be very interested to see if they continue to do business with you.