Has going super nice vs staying firm ever actually worked for you?

I had a client last summer in Phoenix who owed me $4,200 for 3 months of engine work on his classic truck. I tried the patient route first, polite emails and reminders, nothing happened. Then I switched to a stricter tone with a 5 day deadline before I'd file a mechanics lien, and he paid in 48 hours. But then I hear other shop owners saying being too aggressive just makes people dig in and never pay at all. Anyone else find one approach works way better than the other, or does it just depend on the person?

3 comments

3 Comments

kai_ramirez384d ago

Three weeks of polite reminders got me absolutely nowhere with a contractor who owed me $1,800 for parts. I finally just sent a text saying I'd be at his job site Monday morning to pick up cash or the parts back. He had the money in my hand by Sunday night. But then I had another guy who got so defensive after one firm phone call that he refused to even talk to me anymore and I had to eat the whole bill. It really does feel like flipping a coin with some people, no matter how you play it.

pat_harris5d ago

@ray_burns nailed it. I had a guy who paid after one angry phone call and another who blocked me everywhere after I sent a certified letter. People are just wired different, nothing wrong with trying both until something sticks.

ray_burns5d ago

Honestly I think people overthink this whole thing. You had one case where being firm worked and now you're wondering if maybe being aggressive ruins everything? I've seen guys wait 6 months being nice and still get ghosted. And I've seen other shop owners lawyer up day one and get paid no problem. Really feels like it depends on how much that person values their reputation or their truck more than any strategy you use. Some people are just gonna flake no matter what you do.