Need help with Notice for customers

[Loman]

Hi, i've got quite a few cases where I was asked by clients to repair their equipment and then they never come back to collect and pay for it.

Some of these things are going back 2 years and are cluttering up my place.
I have one piece that came in 4 months ago and (as I've leaned from my mistakes) I've asked for a deposit of almost half. Since then, the guy just disappeared and his Cell isn't working anymore.

Most of these clients cannot even be contacted again and those whose contact info is correct keep on making vague promises of possible future repayment.
I've got one that is keeping me on a line for the past two years now. The value of his repaired item has depreciated so much I doubt I will be able to get half of my expenses back.

I'm thinking of having a sign made like:
All goods must be collected and payed in full within 3 months or they will be sold to defray costs.

So I guess what I want to ask is whether or not the "sign" above would work or is even legal etc.
Does someone perhaps have an example I can copy?

What is my next step, can I just sell these "voetstoots"
Is 3 months long enough, or should it be longer?


My other question is what do I do with stuff where a deposit was paid? Should I also just wait 3 months? Should I sell it for the full price and refund the deposit when the guy comes round again?

Thanks

[xcorporation]

Withheld the deposit.
Notify the client after 3 months that their goods has been sold; and that their deposit has become invalid.
Once they start reacting - you can take more pleasant actions.

Your repair works sounds you need 100% cash upfront anyways - this way you dont bother with signs / legal aspects.

Dont bother with a minimal deposit; the market shifts constantly ; more into your disadvantage than anything else;
Meaning; the 10% depsoit; they could actually get a new item for 15% less than your total costs ?

Just a thought ...

[Loman]

At the moment I ask a 50% deposit, but there are idiots that don't come back to collect / pay the rest.

I'm just going to start selling them.

Thanks for all your help.
But I think i'll get a sign as well, just in case.

[xcorporation]

i always wanted hardware so that i can sell on e-bay

[HR Solutions]

I would def get a 50% deposit

[Loman]

Thanks.

Do you think this sign will be sufficient?
All goods must be collected and payed in full within 3 months or they will be sold to defray costs.

[HR Solutions]

Yes

[Loman]

Great, thanks

[Dave A]

All goods must be collected and payed in full within 3 months or they will be sold to defray costs.

It's good, but you would do better if it was on a document the customer signed when they give you the equipment for repair. Part of the terms on an estimate, or a works order, or an equipment receipt... something like that.

If there's lots of fine print, I see in some instances the service provider also has the client sign or initial next to some of the more "potentially contentious" individual clauses.

You might also want to include notes on the condition of the equipment at the time it was handed in. As example, when I hand in my watch for a new battery, they make notes on the slip about scratches to the face, casing, strap etc.

[Loman]

I'll probably have to do that as well. Thanks

I just thought a sign would be easier, quicker, cheaper etc...

[sterne.law@gmail.com]

Strictly speaking you actually need a court order to "take ownership" and to sell it.
What you could do is have a storage charge of R100 a day, starting 3 days after ready to be collected.
In this way if you sell it and customer does return to collect, his account is in excess of the value.