First of all, it's not a ton of loot, it's $161.12. The problem is it pisses me off because the lady never intended to pay. She has done this to a string of others as well.

I mowed her lawn while she was laid off of work with the promise of catching up.

Can I charge her with theft of services? Can I go to her job with an invoice marked "past due"? Can I beat on her door in the evening until she answers or calls the cops? If I sue her in small claims that's no guarantee that she'll pay but after that can taking her back be contempt of court for not paying in accordance with the judge's order? Anyone know the statute of limitation on such cases in PA?

If I didn't have to mow her neighbor I'd not think about it every week and get so pissed.

I don't know if theft of services fits. If you go into a restaurant, eat a meal and leave without paying, that is theft of services. You could check with your local magistrate. The civil route, small claims court is expensive, with you outlaying costs until a constable finally orders a sale of her property. Anything with a lien on it would be exempt. Good luck.

Since you did work with promsise to pay, it is an "open account".

You can send her an "open account demand letter", and in most cases be able to charge late fees, interest and may help with legal fees, and it establishes demand.

Figure out what your state requirements are for the proper information in the letter.

Like you said, it may be futile, but it might be worth a shot, and if it gives you some satisfaction, there is that.

You got a shovel?

For that kind of money you'll never recoup it. Write it off as a bad debt (in this case it is picture perfect definition of a bad debt that can be written off) is the best advice both financially and spiritually.
The time it takes you to try to recoup it is better spent on something else. Going after her at this point would be for the sole purpose of vindication or retribution - neither or which will be as satisfying as moving on.
Let it go. Put it out of your mind. She has most likely spent her life and most likely will spend the rest of her life begging / borrowing / stealing.

I always remember what "Sonny" from a Bronx Tale said....."fuck em, you got off cheap, it only cost you $20 to get rid of him. He will never be back in your life".
For $161 cut em loose.
Not worth the hassle imho.
Never have to do anything for them again.
Good lesson learned

quote:

Originally posted by weekendshooter:
I don't know if theft of services fits. If you go into a restaurant, eat a meal and leave without paying, that is theft of services. You could check with your local magistrate. The civil route, small claims court is expensive, with you outlaying costs until a constable finally orders a sale of her property. Anything with a lien on it would be exempt. Good luck.

I hate to piggy-back off the OP too much, but I'm in a situation where someone owes me $2600. I do have a lien on the title for the property he was sold. Could you elaborate on anything with a lien being exempt? I've been looking at recourse as him not paying has cost me considerably at this point...


To the OP, I tend to agree with the above that the $161 may not be worth what it would take to get it, unfortunately...

quote:

If I didn't have to mow her neighbor I'd not think about it every week and get so pissed.

Just make sure you don't blow any weed seeds over into her yard when mowing the neighbors. Or your fertilizer spreader has a hiccup and throws a wad of fertilizer onto her lawn burning the grass or making it grow extremely fast.

collection actions take time and money. she knows that. you'll have to decide if it's worth pouring good money after bad.

that said, does she own the home? If yes, see if you can file a lien.

No good dead goes unpunished.
People with bad credit and no money have it for a reason. They have all sorts of excuses and every now and then one is actually true. Most are not.
I have a few mementos hanging in my office to remind me of things I did that I shouldn't have done.
Take a picture of her front yard and hang it up to remind you next time. Don't waste any more time on this one.

And on the next Judge Judy ...

quote:

Can I charge her with theft of services?

That will most likely be a civil matter. In my business, people have taken their cars without paying for the repairs. (A funny story on one particular incident for another time.) There is no crime because they can't steal their own cars, even if our parts are on them. It may cost you more than $161 to file a small claims court case. Maybe you can write it off on your income tax as a bad debt, non payer or something.

quote:

Originally posted by dusty3030:
Let it go. Put it out of your mind. She has most likely spent her life and most likely will spend the rest of her life begging / borrowing / stealing.

Great advice.

I know it's a tough pill to swallow because I'm like you. It would really burn me - not the money, the scammer mentality. But dusty3030 is right on. Put it behind you and don't let it eat at you.

If I can't collect, can I embarrass her socially so that no one else gets duped? Basically make it known that she doesn't pay her bills?

quote:

For $161 cut em loose.
Not worth the hassle imho.
Never have to do anything for them again.

That's probably the best advice....

quote:

Can I go to her job with an invoice marked "past due"? Can I Can I go to her job with an invoice marked "past due"? Can I beat on her door in the evening until she answers or calls the cops? If I sue her in small claims that's no guarantee that she'll pay but? If I sue her in small claims that's no guarantee that she'll pay but

1. Don't go to her employer. They don't owe you the money.
2. You can beat on her door in the evening until she answers or calls the cops... but it won't accomplish anything and may end badly for you.
3. If I sue her in small claims that's no guarantee that she'll pay but...

But nothing. This is your only option. Either write it off or take her to court.
Chances are, she won't show. You will win a default judgement but be prepared to offer the judge a detailed list of the charges, including your court costs.
If you get a judgement, and if she's still employed, then you can then apply to garnish her wages. But... that's another process.
Collection after judgement isn't always easy.

Keep sending her a statement every month with late charges. If she never pays you when it's time to file your taxes write it off.

Do you have a godfather?

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
If I can't collect, can I embarrass her socially so that no one else gets duped? Basically make it known that she doesn't pay her bills?

Don't stoop to this low. Just move on- better not to do anything that can come back to bite you in any way.

Since you're in the neighborhood reasonably frequently doing the neighbor's lawn, catch the next guy she 'hires' as he's about half way through, let him know how she stiffed you and perhaps he'll be inclined to pack up - leaving her w/ a half-mowed lawn...that looks nice.
s.

Depending on your state, you can put a lien on the home and/or you can assign the debt to a collection agency.

These could affect your customers credit score......if they care.

Mike

quote:

Originally posted by AH.74:

quote:

Originally posted by mark123:
If I can't collect, can I embarrass her socially so that no one else gets duped? Basically make it known that she doesn't pay her bills?

Don't stoop to this low. Just move on- better not to do anything that can come back to bite you in any way.

Is it stooping? I have friends that also mow in the area (we don't compete) and they will eventually get a call from her.