School Accounts

[Darren B]

Is it just me

I regulary get schools ring me asking for stuff on account.

I explain what my terms are and they always agree, i send the stuff then spend 2 months chasing to get the money. Only 2 schools have paid me in advance and those that want it on account give me grief.

Does anyone else experience these sorts of problems. I currently have one that has promised to sort it out for the last 2 weeks that owes me £240 for over 2 months.

Cheers
Darren

[jont]

We supply all the colleges and uni's in Sheffield and several others around the country. The Sheffield stuff is on a 30 day account and the rest we insist on payment prior to dispatch for first order and 30 days thereafter.

We don't experience any issues at the moment (recipe for disaster) but have learnt to ensure we receive an official purchase order, the name of the person who will pay the account and a ruthless accounts manager who will tear them limb from limb if they are late ... she suffers from Napoleon syndrome and is a nasty as can be if they are a day late :)

[Jim Riley]

95% of our sales & 100% of our debtors are schools and colleges.

Agree with Jont about getting valid purchases orders

Our experience is that they will pay (eventually) - an average of 60-75 days, depending on which LEA or independent school.

The upside is - very low level of bad debts + high level of repeat business

Also very responsive to direct marketing!

Jim

[acompton]

I've had a few orders from schools, but they are usually from the PA and some worthy member stumps up their credit card.

I was a primary school govenor for 9 years so I know a little of their inner workings. Accounts are the responsibility of the Person-in-the-Office. They are always over-worked.

Alan

[Darren B]

Not just me then,

The Sheffield stuff is on a 30 day account and the rest we insist on payment prior to dispatch for first order and 30 days thereafter.
I think i will adopt this stance from now on, i think it is reasonable to request this and shall just explain that due to the large number of scams we now use this method the validate accounts blah blah blah can always find some old rubbish to flower it up.

I always make sure they fax me an official purchase order.

Some schools are decent enough to request cheque with order and some pay by card then without any fuss.

cheers for imparting your experiences

Darren

[george]

One school we deal with on a once a year basis explained to me it takes three weeks to get a cheque from them. It has to be ordered, approved, counter approved, printed, etc.


I bet they'd pay the councellors flights to the `town twinning` jolly there and then though.


Councils = bunch of *rse. :D

[Legends]

bunch of *rse. :D

George

How very American of you :D

[jont]

I think we have found the new Actinic Poet Laureate .. hopefully he has time alongside his Goat presidency for other gems of straight talking wordsmanship? You sure your not a Yorkshireman at heart George?

[Darren B]

Yorkshireman at heart George?I have a few friends that are born and bread yorkshire and some of georges comments do have an air of similarity to them :D

[jont]

born and bread yorkshire

Warburtons?

On reflection he is a football fanatic so he can't be from Yorkshire otherwise he would have topped himself by now :)

[george]

Oi! Red Nose Day last week, Pick on George Day today? Whatever next.



Born and bred in the North East of Scotland, Aberdeen, West Ham United and Scotland follower. Just to establish those facts. :)



Women from SotB like my accent generally. Well those who can understand it that is. :D

[george]

Warburtons?

On reflection he is a football fanatic so he can't be from Yorkshire otherwise he would have topped himself by now :)


Jonty, are you the Honey Monster stunt double? :p

[jont]

Jonty, are the Honey Monster stunt double? :p

I used to stunt for Bella Emberg but she lost weight. Bitch!

[leehack]

Laurel an fkin Hardy strike again.

[Darren B]

Laurel an fkin Hardy strike again.

Too true-------------------------------------------;)

[jont]

Lee - if you're feeling left out pop on a dress and we can be Mungo, Mary and Midge :p

[Darren B]

Bill Ben & Weed :D

[leehack]

DHL me one of your dresses Jont, i'll happily join in.

[jont]

Bill Ben & Weed :D

LOL

You will have use fighting over who is who.

[leehack]

I bagsy Weed.

[jont]

DHL me one of your dresses Jont

You sound like Mr Nbungo and his Nigerian shop.

[leehack]

Poor bastard, he can't get his money out of the country, so frustrating.

[jont]

That's why he wants my frocks ... huge market for second-hand clothes in Japan .. apparently

[Darren B]

DHL me one of your dresses Jont, i'll happily join in.

Mrs Lee stopped you using hers :rolleyes:

[leehack]

Mrs Lee stopped you using hers :rolleyes:

Her maternity dresses wouldn't even fit me!

[Darren B]

Her maternity dresses wouldn't even fit me!I remember those days (not the days or wearing the maternity dresses), my boy is 5 and i tell you now, i can not belive how time has flown. He does not know it yet but i am taking him to eurodisney this easter.

Being the tight bugger i am i have booked a hotel 8 km from the park because it's cheaper, and used my tesco's vouchers for cheap euro tunnel tickets.

Still have not got my money from the school yet, got a nice letter to fax on monday with the interest calculated for the late payments act e.t.c

Darren

[brian.mc]

I remember those days (not the days or wearing the maternity dresses), my boy is 5 and i tell you now, i can not belive how time has flown. He does not know it yet but i am taking him to eurodisney this easter.DarrenHope he's not internet savvy or the surprise might be spoilt!!

[brian.mc]

We always get a call from our local secondary school on the last day of term in June, ordering bouquets for retiring staff. Of course, they're closed until late August, so, allowing for the usual beaurocracy, we don't get paid until September/October.

It's frustrating, but at least we know the payment will eventually materialise, whereas with individuals or companies there is always a risk.

As they don't usually order online, but prefer to phone, we make sure we sell them a product with a decent margin which helps to cover the cost of waiting for the cash.

[Darren B]

Hope he's not internet savvy or the surprise might be spoilt!!


He is very internet savy, but this forum is not one of the sites he would go to, no games you see. besides it's not in his favorites menu

Cheque turned up saturday morning with remitance advice, no order number reference, no dates not even the schools order number? Glad i got the money but could you imagine if i was doing hundreds of cheques i would have to try and find the account, or was it a case of they new we were waiting for it so know who it was for

cheers
Darren