Ive got rid of smaller ones that dont pay bills on time, itys just not worth chasing.

that reminds me - must pay second tax payment soon LOL

Id certainly alter something, i wouldnt just go regardless else it will get worse.

see I take the other view ( no really LOL) thus

customer supposed to pay upfront for service - you wait they dont pay means you wait and they dont HAVE to pay. If you`ve already been then they GOT to pay

it`s a very old argument about is the visit from this years or last years payment - ADI`s question is about a fault callout which makes it difficult but theres always the chance they will get somone else to do it and pay them next year instead. I have slow payers - we know they are slow payers but at least they are paying

send em a box letter asking if they want to carry on?

This poxy government makes us pay half up front.

Carrying out services then asking for payment does not bother me. I do the work the customer pays, the same as it is for the vast majority of trades, if not all.

If they asked another proper firm to take it over, 160 addressable devices, the takeover fee might put them off, so they would propbably stay with us.

They cant keep going from one firm to another to drag payments out, surely?

it does - this  must be the longest I`ve managed to drag it out to

did you fit it ? ( not just this one you understand) if not ask yourself why you got the contract, usually the reason for switching is non payment - as you say no-one saves money by getting something taken over

Some do, and eventually go bump owing several companies for the same thing spread over 12 Months.

I do have another story that I started writing then realised we are in public so I won't!

Yes i fitted it. If i was asked to take over a new system, then id be doing some checks to find out the truth why i was being asked.