I don't think publicly embarrassing (former) clients is the way to gain new ones. It might work for a gas station, but shouldn't we hold ourselves to a higher standard than that?
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layoric
Guest
Thanks for the other info, but already stated why went back. I don't think it's unprofessional at all. However, I feel these forums allow us to be frank with one-another, and like the ability to voice our opinions and rebuttals.
Hopefully, as you stated, things can be resolved eventually from the bank anyhow.
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layoric
Guest
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layoric
Guest
There Are Consequences
The bank was NO help. Just had me calling every day like a moron to see if the people had funds in their account. Actually got information from the police, that I can request the check to be protested (verified I can do this with the bank later). There is a $25 fee for this. What happens then is that we would bring the letter to the police, who would then go to the person directly, and get them to pay. I don't know exactly what the police would do - beat them into submission, hand them a letter and walk away, I guess I'll find out when/if that time comes.
For now, I'm sending a certified letter tomorrow, stating the facts, and adding a returned check fee on there. After a week, or so, if they don't pay from that point, it's off to start the protesting with the bank/police.
This information is being posted mostly to let you all know that there are supposedly legal repercussions we can take for these situations.
Also found out that there are check verification systems that can be purchased/used - and if you go through them for payment (and associated fees deducted of course), then any bad checks that occur, THEY will still PAY (the authorizing company). I'm going to check into these fees soon - avoids problems. Hopefully not too expensive.
The bank was NO help. Just had me calling every day like a moron to see if the people had funds in their account. Actually got information from the police, that I can request the check to be protested (verified I can do this with the bank later). There is a $25 fee for this. What happens then is that we would bring the letter to the police, who would then go to the person directly, and get them to pay. I don't know exactly what the police would do - beat them into submission, hand them a letter and walk away, I guess I'll find out when/if that time comes.
For now, I'm sending a certified letter tomorrow, stating the facts, and adding a returned check fee on there. After a week, or so, if they don't pay from that point, it's off to start the protesting with the bank/police.
This information is being posted mostly to let you all know that there are supposedly legal repercussions we can take for these situations.
Also found out that there are check verification systems that can be purchased/used - and if you go through them for payment (and associated fees deducted of course), then any bad checks that occur, THEY will still PAY (the authorizing company). I'm going to check into these fees soon - avoids problems. Hopefully not too expensive.
Thanks for the update. I wish you all the luck. Deadbeats irk me as much as anyone and I realize, $100 is $100 but you've already spent ALOT of time, effort and worry over this. Plus you admitted you are only really out $10 in parts plus your time. Not sure what your time is worth but if you spent all the time you have spent and will spend trying to collect the $90 in profit on getting new business, you'd probably be making ALOT more than $90.
I think I'd keep checking with the bank, let the police handle it and put it on the back burner. It's a bad situation and you got the short end of the stick, but I'm afraid you are going to spend too much time and worry over this. I'm not saying to just let it go, but I'd let the (slow) wheels of justice work while you keep checking with the bank.
Good luck sir and let us know how it ends up.
I think I'd keep checking with the bank, let the police handle it and put it on the back burner. It's a bad situation and you got the short end of the stick, but I'm afraid you are going to spend too much time and worry over this. I'm not saying to just let it go, but I'd let the (slow) wheels of justice work while you keep checking with the bank.
Good luck sir and let us know how it ends up.
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layoric
Guest
Wow
The lady received my certified letter. Called me on the phone, stated she'd start making payments. THEN she claimed that the laptop was still not charging. I told her it was tested before it went out and working perfectly, but I noticed that it had extensive damage, looked as if it was dropped or yanked hard.
She then asked if she could bring it in, and wanted to know how much it would cost this time.
I told her it'd be no extra charges if it was something that wasn't fixed correctly, but if it was different, I'd give her an estimate. She then made an appointment for later the next day to drop it off!
WOW - so here's the possibilities:
The last option is highly unlikely, being the way it was repaired. All other possibilities point to extra charges and possibly more fraud. REGARDLESS, if they actually show up, I'll then have the laptop until they pay for the previous charges, and any possible future charges.
The lady received my certified letter. Called me on the phone, stated she'd start making payments. THEN she claimed that the laptop was still not charging. I told her it was tested before it went out and working perfectly, but I noticed that it had extensive damage, looked as if it was dropped or yanked hard.
She then asked if she could bring it in, and wanted to know how much it would cost this time.
I told her it'd be no extra charges if it was something that wasn't fixed correctly, but if it was different, I'd give her an estimate. She then made an appointment for later the next day to drop it off!
WOW - so here's the possibilities:
- They broke it again
- they're bringing in a different laptop
- their battery is going
- something came loose
The last option is highly unlikely, being the way it was repaired. All other possibilities point to extra charges and possibly more fraud. REGARDLESS, if they actually show up, I'll then have the laptop until they pay for the previous charges, and any possible future charges.
Xander
Banned
- Reaction score
- 66
- Location
- Niagara region, Ontario
When it's done, tell them they need to pay cash before they get their laptop back.
NeutronTech
Active Member
- Reaction score
- 4
- Location
- Grayling, Michigan
Just tell them you will be glad to warranty it if it was something related to your repairs. But since it is not paid for yet, the warranty hasn't started. So you can't work on it until the previous bills is paid. Once it's paid, you'll be more than happy to look at it.
Also, I don't know that you can hold the laptop from them until the previous balance is paid. I think that might be illegal, especially since you already agreed to the payment plan and that didn't include returning the laptop as collateral.
Also, I don't know that you can hold the laptop from them until the previous balance is paid. I think that might be illegal, especially since you already agreed to the payment plan and that didn't include returning the laptop as collateral.
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layoric
Guest
Oi
Well, they actually showed up!
I gave them an estimate, along with the original invoice. On the estimate it states that equipment will only be returned once all previous and current bills are paid in full.
The girl who dropped it off (daughter, actual user of laptop) said it doesn't work again. I told her it was tested 100% before it left, and worked once they got it. Plus I like the info on the warranty not valid until paid for
Anyhow - the girl said that they made a payment online earlier, did I see it? No, I replied, I haven't checked. I did check later, and they actually made a $50 payment through PayPal, although they used a CC so I lost a small amount for fees
Well, I didn't have anything else to do, and was irritated with them claiming it didn't work, so I looked it over.
Opened it up, and the clip that holds the CMOS battery is GONE, and the battery is rolling around! The CMOS battery tests bad, probably drained from shorting out rolling around.
It's late now, but I suspect that putting in a replacement battery will fix it. Meter showed power connection good, and resistance flowing through from the jack (not sure if that's the correct terminology).
One thing seems clear, they are very hard on this laptop. Another thing is clear, they will be charged an additional hour for this repair, plus the battery cost, since I have a one hour min. charge anyway, they'd be best off to pay that plus the cost of the battery, since it'll be paid within the 1 hour charge.
Whether I can or not, I'll see what happens trying to hold the laptop until they pay. If it doesn't work out, I may just undo the repairs, and give the thing back, saying I refuse to work with them again. I don't know --- we'll just have to wait and see I guess.
Well, they actually showed up!
I gave them an estimate, along with the original invoice. On the estimate it states that equipment will only be returned once all previous and current bills are paid in full.
The girl who dropped it off (daughter, actual user of laptop) said it doesn't work again. I told her it was tested 100% before it left, and worked once they got it. Plus I like the info on the warranty not valid until paid for
Anyhow - the girl said that they made a payment online earlier, did I see it? No, I replied, I haven't checked. I did check later, and they actually made a $50 payment through PayPal, although they used a CC so I lost a small amount for fees
Well, I didn't have anything else to do, and was irritated with them claiming it didn't work, so I looked it over.
- It actually IS the same laptop
- The previous repair is GOOD
- The screen is nasty again, after my thorough 1st time cleaning
- The adapter has my elec. tape ripped from previous repair, but it still works
- There is something rattling inside now
Opened it up, and the clip that holds the CMOS battery is GONE, and the battery is rolling around! The CMOS battery tests bad, probably drained from shorting out rolling around.
It's late now, but I suspect that putting in a replacement battery will fix it. Meter showed power connection good, and resistance flowing through from the jack (not sure if that's the correct terminology).
One thing seems clear, they are very hard on this laptop. Another thing is clear, they will be charged an additional hour for this repair, plus the battery cost, since I have a one hour min. charge anyway, they'd be best off to pay that plus the cost of the battery, since it'll be paid within the 1 hour charge.
Whether I can or not, I'll see what happens trying to hold the laptop until they pay. If it doesn't work out, I may just undo the repairs, and give the thing back, saying I refuse to work with them again. I don't know --- we'll just have to wait and see I guess.
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layoric
Guest
Laptop Doesn't Work, Now What!?
As I mentioned before, they actually made a payment of $50. When I got the laptop back, something was rattling in there. Curious, I opened it up, it was the CMOS battery, the clip had broken off, and it was sliding around in there.
Well, I tested everything with a meter:
Next, removed all components, still nothing.
Diagnosis: Motherboard shorted/fried from metal battery sliding around.
Knowing that the customer was very abusive to the laptop, and that I had such problems with them, what should I do next, after giving diagnosis?
Considering it's not an expensive laptop, I'd normally not recommend replacing the motherboard, but this information could be provided (new board would be $150 PLUS labor) and perhaps then they'd agree to sell it at the cost of the prior payment.
I'd like to make it clear, that it's not that I want the laptop or anything, it's just that with the issues prior, I'm looking toward a solution that they and I can just wash our hands of it, without either party feeling like they got screwed or something. That's why I thought perhaps offering to take it off their hands and avoid any future payments on their end would be a good solution.
As I mentioned before, they actually made a payment of $50. When I got the laptop back, something was rattling in there. Curious, I opened it up, it was the CMOS battery, the clip had broken off, and it was sliding around in there.
Well, I tested everything with a meter:
- Original power jack repair still good (proud of that repair holding up to abuse)
- The board IS getting power from the jack
- fuse-resistors near the jack plug on board are still good
- Brick good as well
Next, removed all components, still nothing.
Diagnosis: Motherboard shorted/fried from metal battery sliding around.
Knowing that the customer was very abusive to the laptop, and that I had such problems with them, what should I do next, after giving diagnosis?
- Return laptop, still expecting old payment
- Return laptop WITHOUT old payment
- Offer to buy laptop for past payment of $50, use as project laptop
Considering it's not an expensive laptop, I'd normally not recommend replacing the motherboard, but this information could be provided (new board would be $150 PLUS labor) and perhaps then they'd agree to sell it at the cost of the prior payment.
I'd like to make it clear, that it's not that I want the laptop or anything, it's just that with the issues prior, I'm looking toward a solution that they and I can just wash our hands of it, without either party feeling like they got screwed or something. That's why I thought perhaps offering to take it off their hands and avoid any future payments on their end would be a good solution.
Itech
New Member
- Reaction score
- 0
- Location
- Birmingham, UK
First time for me
Install a "kill switch" on their systems, that I can initiate a termination of the computer system should their payment go sour?
LOL!
i new one person who use to do this everyday to the Fast Food Delivery Guys and nothing ever happened to him. sad really..
Knowing the full history of what happened with this customer, I'd give them the laptop and the $50 back, explain your diagnosis, tell them you are refunding their money as a goodwill gesture, have them sign something acknowledging it, and just end the relationship right there.
Its starting to get ugly and you need to end it now!
Just my opinion of course...
Its starting to get ugly and you need to end it now!
Just my opinion of course...
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layoric
Guest
Now it's mine
Sent certified letters - now the laptop is mine. Probably just sell it to chop-shop to get the money I lost in it.
Now I know how to deal with checks
Sent certified letters - now the laptop is mine. Probably just sell it to chop-shop to get the money I lost in it.
Now I know how to deal with checks
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gazza
Guest
I never accept chq's, it's either cash or credit card as I to have been done over like you have. The time and cost of chasing up the money is not worth it, they are shysters. If I have a completed job offsite, I will always get the customer to pick it up and pay for it, no money no computer.
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