How to collect money owed without being "too rude"?

Question

I bought a little shop recently and didn't buy any of the previous owner's payables, like store credits. We had an agreement saying that if anyone came in and wanted to use their store credit, that I would honor it and she would reimburse me. This past weekend, several people used theirs and now she owes me about 2 grand. She was pretty good about paying me before, but now she won't answer my phone calls, emails, or voice mail messages. She won't call me back, either. I'm just wondering how I can threaten her without sounding too mean. There has been a bit of a power struggle with our relations because I used to be her employee, now I'm the one in charge. I think she's broke and addicted to alcohol and drugs (her friends have confirmed) so I'm sure she's not thinking rationally. I have already decided not to accept any more store credits unless she pays up front, but how do I go about collecting the money she owes me now? Thank you!

Answer 1

Contact an attorney. You should get professional advice here for the sake of your business. I think you will be able to collect but you may have to take her to court or try to send her to collections. I think this is too complicated for a really good answer here. Good luck!

Answer 2

check your contract and if it is in there, do not hesitate to sue;

it is called "tough love" in some situations.

Part of your proof is that she began reimbursing you which

proves that she had an agreement to do so.

Next, find a collection agency and prepare to use them.

get a bank line of credit.......for 30-90 days so that you are

not ever out of operating cash.

sorry about her dissing you

Answer 3

If you didn't have it in writing, you are most likely out of luck. Sorry.

If her friends can get her clean and sober, then you might have a chance later on when she is rational but at the moment she probably is throwing whatever money she has away which is why she's avoiding you.

Answer 4

You could try taking her to small claims court.  Sounds like the kinds of cases I've seen in TV court.  Could work.

Seems too late to avoid being 'rude'.  But probably pragmatic move in terms of running your business.

Answer 5

* We had an agreement saying that if anyone came in and wanted to use their store credit, that I would honor it and she would reimburse me...

What? That is stupid. It is worth nothing unless in a signed contract. Only a moron would promise to pay someone else's credit bills!

* This past weekend, several people used theirs and now she owes me about 2 grand.

Send her an itemized invoice.

* She was pretty good about paying me before, but now she won't answer my phone calls, emails, or voice mail messages. She won't call me back, either.

I would not either.

* I'm just wondering how I can threaten her without sounding too mean.

Small claims court.

* I think she's broke and addicted to alcohol and drugs (her friends have confirmed) so I'm sure she's not thinking rationally.

Oh well, but leave that out, it is not relevant.

* I have already decided not to accept any more store credits unless she pays up front.

Great Idea!

*but how do I go about collecting the money she owes me now? Thank you!

Small Claims court