Legal Question in Credit and Debt Law in Pennsylvania

Customer not paying old invoices

Can anyone please suggest me what action I can take, when my customer is not paying old invoices. The items were send by UPS. I have the shipped label and open invoices.


Asked on 6/26/07, 5:21 pm

2 Answers from Attorneys

Robert Davies The Davies Law Firm, P.A.

Re: Customer not paying old invoices

you hire a guy like me to first demand payment (for a small percentage of the amount owed) and if not, then to file suit if that makes sense (can you collect, where is the debtor) for a percentage of the amount owed.

I do this kind of work. If you would like me to assist, please call my office. I am in Hackensack. You can then decide how you would like to proceed.

My contact information can be obtained from the links below, just click on the Attorney Profile link. Let my secretary know you found me through LawGuru.

Disclaimer: Your question and any response does NOT create an attorney-client relationship between you and this law firm. You can not rely on the statements made by an attorney given over the internet. The exact facts of your situation, including facts which you have not mentioned in your question, may completely change the result for your situation.

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Answered on 6/26/07, 6:14 pm
John Corbett Corbett Law Firm LLC

Re: Customer not paying old invoices

You probably don't want to hear this but now is not the best time to be asking that question especially since you do business interstate. Mr. Davies gives you a solution to take care of your immediate problem. I'm sure he can help. Regardless of whether you get a fully successful solution this time, consider the fact that there will be a next time if you stay in business. Misunderstandings happen and every business field has its deadbeats. Plan ahead for that. The time to handle the next deadbeat customer is now.

Have your lawyer look at your terms of sale and the process by which you sell. Here are some things that work for some businesses: Don't give credit for amounts that are too small to collect. Learn to use the Small Claims Court in your home State. Arrange to accept payment by credit card. Then, accept credit card and cash only unless there is a good personal guarantee. Never ship to a customer with a credit balance unless you have a long-standing relationship of trust. Remember that big companies are slow pay. If you extend them credit, you have to have a sound marketing plan that results in charging them more for the privilege of taking longer to pay. The reality is that they won't pay interest outright, so you have to give equivalent discounts when customers pay by cash or credit card. For credit cards, know the charge-back policies for your providers and learn to do damage control. In short, plan on an environment that consists of at least some customers who are slow pay, no pay, or outright cheats. Get help from your resource providers, including your lawyer to minimize their effect on your net revenue.

My firm handles matters of this type. If I can be of further help to you, call or email. If you remind me that the contact was through Lawguru, the first consultation will be free.

See also: http://info.corbettlaw.net/lawguru.htm

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Answered on 6/26/07, 6:42 pm


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