Auto shop customer said 'I'll pay tomorrow', three months passed, 30k TL wasted — how do you prevent this?

same here, i work at an auto shop too. once a customer left 30k in debt, then moved out of town for 2 years. we lost that 30k. since then ive been working in 'i even gave a single lira on credit' mode. no job no deposit no leaving you a car without money. tbh if its too hard, just quit.

bro i'm not a doctor but i know this much: pay up or eat shit. you can't work and guarantee your money at the same time. if the customer says 'i'll pay on monday' and he does great if not take the money before the job is done. all the mechanics who did this got past this trouble, those who didn't are still eating shit. simple straight, just a job.

payment issues are very common in auto services. the solution is what's called 'installment payment' in the industry: labor cost = 3500 parts cost = 5000, total 8500. ask the customer 'do you have a 2500 deposit for the parts?'. if the customer says 'put it on the tab' or pays start the job. halfway through, ask 'customer, i need another 2500 for the rest'. this way you share the risk and the customer doesn't get anxious.

if the customer says 'i'll pay later' and there's a difference, hold the car. legally as long as you can claim the parts, you can hold the vehicle as collateral.

legally: there is a lien right for debts in auto services. the vehicle is yours until labor costs are paid. even if the customer sues, the car doesn't leave until the money is settled. but this 'hold' management isn't always easy because the customer can get angry. to prevent all these risks: deposit at the start (30%), second deposit in the middle (30%), final payment at the end (40%). once fully paid, hand over the car. this is the standard protocol in this sector.

you can also tell the customer: 'sir, i'm gonna pay out of my own pocket to run the workers but i also have debts to pay, if you pay too we'll both be at ease.' if the customer is understanding he'll respect that. but if he doesn't get it, then a deposit is necessary. your labor and worker wages come first.

Absolutely. If I were to add anything: Taking notes for two weeks yields better results than a six-month estimate.

The longer you delay cutting the team, the more people it affects.

Following.

I'll argue the opposite, don't get mad. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

Saved. like when we decide without measuring we always end up in the same place.

I agree with this. Extending terms makes customers happy but turns you into a financing institution.

If I were you, I'd go this route.

Thanks for posting. If the gap between accounts receivable and accounts payable turnover days is widening, revenue won't save you.

Proven by experience.

I agree, and I'd like to emphasize that. The real issue isn't the number, but what it's based on.

I'm also curious if anyone does it differently.

i agree with this.. then the biggest time-waster for us was not knowing who had the final say.

the answer varies greatly by industry; there is no one-size-fits-all rule but just leaving this note it might be useful.

My perspective changed after experiencing that. Looking profitable on paper but having no cash in the bank is very common.

That's all, sorry if I went on too long.

Saved.

Quick summary for newcomers: Trying to do this alone is the most expensive way.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

I agree with this. When the closure decision was made is as decisive as the decision itself.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

We got stuck at the same point for a while. Looking profitable on paper but having no cash in the bank is very common.

Proven by experience.