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Author Topic: Would you pay in advance for a service?  (Read 2996 times)

KaraShannon

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Would you pay in advance for a service?
« on: June 27, 2023, 08:28:12 PM »

Interested in what you think ladies.  I contacted a carpet cleaner, he was a bit brusque by email, saying he'd been in the business for 10 years and that the prior person I was going to use gave me the wrong advice (it wasn't bad advice and it all really comes down to difference of opinions / approach).

Anyway I put that down to him probably having a lot of unreliable customers etc.  So I asked to book him for next week.  He's not emailed to say he will book me once I've paid and given me bank details. 

I can understand giving a deposit, but full payment doesn't feel right.  What you other's think?
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Flossieteacake

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #1 on: June 27, 2023, 08:33:19 PM »

I would look for a different person. If you were to pay in advance then he could keep the money and it would be so difficult to get your money back. I have heard of people having to put a deposit down but not to pay in full.
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KaraShannon

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #2 on: June 27, 2023, 08:34:58 PM »

As I thought Flossieteacake.  There were enough red flags, but I was giving him the benefit of the doubt.  But I'm not that gullible.

Thanks  ;)
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DottyD68

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #3 on: June 27, 2023, 08:44:20 PM »

I agree with Flossieteacake.

A deposit is acceptable but not the full payment. And personally I think it's highly unprofessional to criticise other service providers, especially in an email.

Hope you find someone who provides a good overall service.
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KaraShannon

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #4 on: June 27, 2023, 09:01:16 PM »

Thanks Dotty, yes too many red flags.  And me feeling a bit on the low side I'm prey to it.  But not that much, lol
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Minusminnie

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #5 on: June 28, 2023, 05:17:59 AM »

Just wondered if you had thought of buying a carpet cleaner to save all the hassel.  I bought a small one years ago about £70 odd at the time.  It has certainly proved its worth and been handy over time. Mine is lightweight and easy to use but you do need somewhere to store it.

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SarahT

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #6 on: June 28, 2023, 06:32:37 AM »

No way. Walk away from that one. Sounds wrong.
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CLKD

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #7 on: June 28, 2023, 08:20:43 AM »

I agree.  Open the windows and let the air through ;-).  We have a VAX cleaner but it's too heavy for me to use  ::).  Is this in your new place?

Some professions insist on payment up front and I am always reluctant unless I know the trades person really well, i.e. our builder when he was doing our extension . [that sounds posh don't it  ;D]. 
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jaypo

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #8 on: June 28, 2023, 02:37:53 PM »

Deposit,yes,full payment,DEFINITELY not
We run a business & if a customer decides to go ahead with the quote,we ask for a deposit,which is returnable within 7 days if they change their mind
« Last Edit: June 28, 2023, 07:21:01 PM by jaypo »
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Dierdre

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #9 on: June 28, 2023, 02:47:34 PM »

I'd never pay in advance, I only pay when I'm happy with what's be done. Always pay with a credit card too so you're insured just in case.
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getting_old

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #10 on: June 29, 2023, 07:07:08 PM »

I'd never pay the full amount, and would only pay a deposit if it was for them to buy supplies, however the attitude stinks. It's extremely unprofessional to criticise someone else like that. If he'd said that he'd do things differently and explained why that would be fine, but no need to refer to the alternative method.
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KaraShannon

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2023, 09:44:23 PM »

Thanks everyone, I didn't reply due to stress, but I did heed the advice  :)
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sheliacrawford

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Re: Would you pay in advance for a service?
« Reply #12 on: September 17, 2023, 11:52:48 AM »

I'd never pay the full amount, and would only pay a deposit if it was for them to buy supplies, however the attitude stinks. It's extremely unprofessional to criticise someone else like that.I would like to note that in the article here https://worldfinancialreview.com/the-rise-of-online-shopping-entertainment-and-payment-methods/ it is written that you should trust only reliable payment systems when paying for services, for example gambling games. I can trust them, but not an unfamiliar specialist.  If he'd said that he'd do things differently and explained why that would be fine, but no need to refer to the alternative method.

Absolutely agree. This is a very unprofessional approach to work.
« Last Edit: September 21, 2023, 08:41:29 AM by sheliacrawford »
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