Cash only for elderly customers?

[Chris142]

We have had a few bad dealings lately. And it's from people over 70. They will OK the work then pay with a ck on a closed account or call the credit card company and have the charges reversed.

We basically have no recourse. The D/A is too busy to mess with bounced checks and the CC companies always side with the card holder and not us.

Had another $900 job get cancelled today by a CC company. Think I'm going to be cash only from now on.

Thoughts?

 

[spasm3]

Do you have a work order where the customer signs , authorizing the work?

 

[JHZR2]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Do you have a work order where the customer signs , authorizing the work?


+1.

If your shop is too busy to pursue fraud on a pre-authorized $900 charge, Id say its the shop's problem.

 

[simple_gifts]

Seems you need to make a lot of decisions for an apparently absent owner; I seem to remember other decisions like these. It is his $900, not yours; Shouldn't he decide what to do?

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: spasm3
Do you have a work order where the customer signs , authorizing the work?
yes everything is filled out to the book.as well as a written and signed estimate. They sign it then a few weeks later we get the ck back or a notice that the CC reversed the charges

 

[Rolla07]

Yeah, if the customer auths the work with signature, wouldnt that force the CC company to go in your favor?

 

[Rand]

Cant you file a lien on their vehicle for unpaid work?

 

[spasm3]

Originally Posted By: Chris142
Originally Posted By: spasm3
Do you have a work order where the customer signs , authorizing the work?
yes everything is filled out to the book.as well as a written and signed estimate. They sign it then a few weeks later we get the ck back or a notice that the CC reversed the charges


Then you need to take them to small claims court. Its possible a few of these customers know each other and are getting over on the shop. Take one or two to court and it may stop.

 

[Chris142]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Cant you file a lien on their vehicle for unpaid work?
but I don't have access to the car

 

[cheech279]

One simple decision: accept no personal checks.

For the $900 customer, have the owner or office manager write a letter telling the crumb he has 10 days to pay the bill or the shop will file felony charges against him for obtaining services under false pretenses/grand larceny. No, that's not extortion.

And as others have said, if you have a signed work authorization from a shmoe who disputes or reverses the charge, email it to the schmoe's credit card company. Also, on your company's end seek the help of a loss control person with the bank that has your merchant credit card account.

You can't let crooks and deadbeats win.

 

[1maniac]

Sounds like youre being scammed.
There are only a few reasons a cc comapny can initate a charge back. One being a stolen card number.
Who is you cc payment processor? What are their policys ? Go and google "chargeback fraud" it can ruin a business. Once the word gets out that you are an easy target, you can expect more of this to happen. The world is full of scammers and they all learn from each other. The "elderly" thng is part of the scam. Playing on your goodwill. Get educated, and soon!

 

[Ethan1]

You might have a chance to dispute the chargeback if you have a signed repair order AND a signed final invoice showing that they accepted the work, but the credit card companies are very liberal about charging merchants back.

If a check bounces, give the customer a call. If the customer hit you with a frivolous chargeback, don't bother with a courtesy call; just file with small claims court. They usually pay up as soon as they get the certified letter from the court. Don't miss any court dates, bring every shred of paperwork, and rest assured that most judges have little patience for scammers who target local businesses.

 

[Ethan1]

Oh and GOOD GOD don't make a cash-only policy that only applies to the elderly (as your title suggests?), or you'll be the target of a civil rights lawsuit!

 

[3800Series]

File charges and make a wall of shame. Put it right behind the front counter for all to see.

 

[901Memphis]

Stop accepting personal checks = yes for sure

 

[Noey]

Well, why is this a pattern with you? Everyone gets screwed at some point, but if it's a pattern, maybe you should take a closer look at that? Why are these folks so unhappy with you?

 

[Kuato]

Originally Posted By: Rand
Cant you file a lien on their vehicle for unpaid work?


This is exactly what the mechanic's lien is supposed to guard against.

 

[crazyoildude]

To bad you were so far away i know a couple of guys here in north jersey that specializes in collecting from deadbeats..LOL

All kidding aside pursue it with your credit card company and sue them for the bad checks and get a judgement against them and put a lein on their property or go after their bank accounts unless they have a good reason to stop the credit cards you will win as for the checks passing bad checks is illegal for any reason.

 

[Dave Hess]

Elderly crooks.

 

[GiveMeAVowel]

This activity reeks of travelers or gypsy crime syndicates.


A LOT of the time you'll see them using their own "tools" of the trade, one of which is having their own elderly and young children commit crimes because they disarm potential victims when it comes time to react to the actions. Same thing with drug activity, they will use seniors to deal and collect money because the elderly don't fit the MO of a drug dealer.