What Would You Do?

[Smowball]

Just curious, most of you know I’m self employed. Spend my week delivering and collecting orders. Weeks ago I delivered an order to a regular customer. Her neighbour, who I’d never spoken to before, came out and asked if she could order a specific product.
I said sure, and ordered it for her.
It arrived and I went todeliver it. She was out. I tried 3 times. Gave up and left it in her porch, with a note saying please ring me on this number to arrange payment..... never got a call.
So next time I was in that area I put a hand written note through door saying same thing. Again no response.
Now, my brain is saying just forget it, she’s stitched you up, but the other half is saying she’s taking the absolute ***...... your Thoughts ??

[Prudie]

I still don't know why you wouldn't consider speaking to the regular customer neighbour? Presumably it was they who told this woman what you do otherwise why would she ask you in the first place if you've never spoken to her.

[Calicogirl]

I can assure you that knocking on the door early in the morning gets extremely good results- all the neighbours are coming out to go to work and people don't want a scene on their doorstep- and no, don't let it go- that's the road to hell tbh because where do you draw the line? £5? £50? £500? £5k? etc etc etc- it's the principle and the fact that you can't be seen to be had over, that's not good business. I always nail debtors unless they have a genuine problem, then I'm only too happy to help generally.

[woofgang]

I'd do the early morning door hammering.

[sanmac]

The trouble for Smowball is that SHE would be the one creating the scene on the doorstep not the neighbour.

[Calicogirl]

Sanmac it's the age old Bailiff tactic- it works- and
a. they won't call the police
b. the police won't turn up if they're called
c. if you are a nuisance to them they will pay you to get rid of you.

[anneasquith]

Smowball, try the early morning door knocking and let us know how you get on . ;*)

[Calicogirl]

It's no odds to me if she does or she doesn't Anne, but a sensible alternative suggestion might be more helpful than smirky emoticons when other people are trying to help Smow eh?

[Old_Geezer]

Left in the porch ? How do you know she received it ? Probably would've been best to have left it with her neighbour, your regular.

[Smowball]

I’ve spoken to the neighbour, my regular customer, and she says she doesn’t really know her - only to say hi when passing.

[pixie374]

I definitely wouldn't involve a regular, good customer. It is nothing to to do with her, there is nothing she can do about it and it may come across as gossip. It puts her in an awkward position.
I would leave a note through the door, asking her to pay or contact you by tomorrow... If she has genuinely not got around to it, it will show her it isn't too late to do it now. If she doesn't respond in any way, then obviously don't deal with her again and be careful who you give credit to in future :-) xx

[MallyJ]

If you do catch up with her she may well simply say that she never received it.....there is no way to prove that someone else came along and nicked it..or didn't. Maybe mark it up to experience...unless the item was very expensive....if it was then hound her every time you are inthe area...shame you don't know where she works....

[Smowball]

It’s not expensive at all, it’s just the principle that’s bugging me. There’s no way she hasn’t seen two notes put through her letterbox.

[pixie374]

Have you given her a date to pay it by, snow?

[pixie374]

Smow... sorry x

[Smowball]

No I haven’t. I just assumed she’d ring me and pay.

[pixie374]

I would try it... give her two days. It makes it easier for her to just pay, as it saves her the embarrassment of bring late and inconveniencing you (I know!) But you just want it paid, really. If she doesn't by then, she isn't going to... although she also won't know what happens after that date... so may focus her a bit.

[david small]

Forget it and her smow, she’s not worth the effort. You will be less inclined to trust an unknown person. Her deceit will maybe play on her conscience, sad really over a trifle.

[pixie374]

I would forget it after a "final date". I don't know if this is a local, personal business, but either way (and maybe especially so) professionalism and reputation are important. Knocking on doors at 7am might well get your money back... but unless it is hundreds of pounds you can't do without... Might well lose you more potential (paying) customers to make it self- defeating.
I do hope you get it back though xx