Out of Town Customers

[Teaspoon]

From time to time I have customers that live out of town/out of state.
They will call and request work to be done on property,they own here.
And give me an address to send my bill to.
How do you fellow Electricians handle these situations?
This usually works ok. But if a problem should arise.
I can see how it might become difficult to deal with.
Any comments,sugestions welcome.

 

[Dennis Alwon]

It is always a risk. If they live in town and don't pay it can be a PITA to deal with.

I have done a few jobs where the HO is out of town and have not had a problem as yet. I guess they could give you the wrong address, etc. I would get their phone number and call them back just to make sure you have something.

 

[ptonsparky]

95% of my customers are out of town. All are instate though.


OT: Rarely paid on the spot. Had one hand me a baggy with $2K in cash at the end of the cerial aisle in Madmart one day

 

[Dennis Alwon]

Had one hand me a baggy with $2K in cash at the end of the cerial aisle in Madmart one day

And as an outstanding American citizen I am sure you declared every penny.

 

[ptonsparky]

And as an outstanding American citizen I am sure you declared every penny.

believe it or not, I did.

 

[revolt]

Some customers I have dealt with if they gave me cash I still ask for 2 forms of ID

 

[One-eyed Jack]

Some customers I have dealt with if they gave me cash I still ask for 2 forms of ID

HIS/HER name was"CASH"

 

[GUNNING]

I generally never have a problem with out of town landlords. Its the service companies I get stiffed by. Once I got stiffed by a squatter. Landlords don't want trouble just fair honest dealings. They want there tenets taken care of and happy and paying rent. Don't think twice about an absentee landlord. Just do the job and the money will show up later.

 

[iwire]

I generally never have a problem with out of town landlords. Its the service companies I get stiffed by. Once I got stiffed by a squatter. Landlords don't want trouble just fair honest dealings. They want there tenets taken care of and happy and paying rent. Don't think twice about an absentee landlord. Just do the job and the money will show up later.

Did you just say landlords are OK?????

 

[rich000]

Get a credit card number before you start the work and charge a hold.

THEY are protected because they can always dispute with the CC company.

YOU are protected because it is a form of payment and if you do the work and have an invoice, the CC company can't dispute.

 

[satcom]

I generally never have a problem with out of town landlords. Its the service companies I get stiffed by. Once I got stiffed by a squatter. Landlords don't want trouble just fair honest dealings. They want there tenets taken care of and happy and paying rent. Don't think twice about an absentee landlord. Just do the job and the money will show up later.

Then I guess the 12K they stiffed me for will show up later! I have been waiting 4 years, so later must be more then that.

 

[Sparky555]

Out of state customers can be good if you still get a signed contract by fax or email and get a sizable advance by credit card.

 

[jaylectricity]

I have had exactly 2 customers that live in my town.

But I live in MA where the town changes every 5 minutes of driving.

 

[goldstar]

You have to evaluate the situation and make a determination as to how much you might get stiffed for. If it's only for a couple of hours of work and a small amount of material that's a judgement call you make on the spot. If it's for an extensive amount of work, get some $$$ up front, make sure you have signed contracts and any other "red flag" item you can think of to protect you from getting burnt.