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What to do if customers don't pick up merchandise

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J

jench

Guest
If running a small out-of-the-house sewing business, (alterations, making clothes/curtains etc.) what happens if a customer does not pick up the merchandise? Many efforts have been made to contact them but no response. In some cases the merchandise is complete, some not since it requires more customer input. None of the work has been paid for yet. How long is the sewer obligated to hold onto the merchandise and what happens if the owner moves and it is no longer possible to contact them? The business is in Maryland.
 


HomeGuru

Senior Member
<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by jench:
If running a small out-of-the-house sewing business, (alterations, making clothes/curtains etc.) what happens if a customer does not pick up the merchandise? Many efforts have been made to contact them but no response. In some cases the merchandise is complete, some not since it requires more customer input. None of the work has been paid for yet. How long is the sewer obligated to hold onto the merchandise and what happens if the owner moves and it is no longer possible to contact them? The business is in Maryland.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Check with your State Office of Consumer Protecton. I recommend that in the future you collect a substantial deposit and give them a receipt with the job order number and description and containing a disclaimer such as " property will be disposed of if not claimed within ______days of this transaction."

If the customer complains about the policy tell them that you may have a legal right to charge them for storage.
If they still complain, tell them sew what.

 

JETX

Senior Member
One question:
You say that "None of the work has been paid for". Has the customer paid anything (material or labor)? If not, it is yours to do with as you please without further action.

However, if the customer has paid for the material, and you are wondering about the labor cost. Then you need to make all diligent attempts to contact the owner of the material. Do you have an address and/or phone number for your customer? Call them (keep notes of calls and dates) or write them a certified letter advising them to contact you within a specific deadline re: their material. If not contacted, you will hold for __ days at $___ per day storage fee. If not picked up with 10 days of storage fees, cost of storage will be deemed in excess of value and you will be free to sell their material to recover your fees.

I agree with the other responder (HomeGuru). You need to get at least the cost of the material up front and, preferably, a little extra to cover your start-up labor. Give them a receipt with some type of notification statement as he suggests.


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Steve Halket
Judgment Recovery of Houston
[email protected]
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This is my PERSONAL OPINION and is not legal advice! Consult your local attorney for your specific situation and laws!
 
J

jench

Guest
Actually, the customers bring the materials to the house and the labor is provided. Occasionally additional materials are needed but for the most part, it is labor provided. In fact, a few of the pieces are at a stopping point because the owner needed to give additional information or materials to finish the project. An example of items left would be a skirt that can't be finished without extra material or a pair of jeans that have been patched but the owner, though called, has moved out of town and can no longer be reached.
 

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