B2C selling - checks on consumers

[chudson]

Does anyone credit check or ID check consumers they work for?

I've been running my electrician contractors for over 10 years now, so you would think I would know the answer to this but I've never really bothered to do it. I do credit check commercial clients, but a while ago Credit safe suggested I do some ID checking on consumers.

I kind of agree as although every single job doesn't even get booked without a signed contract, what if the consumer doesn't actually own the home or falsify their name.

I've not been knocked by too many consumers, but it has happened for a few smaller amounts of money and despite getting a CCJ secured against each non payer, I still never got paid, perhaps because the person wouldnt care as it wasn't really their name.

Thoughts?

 

[SJD]

By consumers, I'm guessing you mean domestic customers ... ?

Balance the cost of checking (checking fee and time) plus the potential loss of goodwill vs what you might not have lost. I suspect you won't find it worthwhile for most small jobs.

And as a customer, for a small job where I intend to pay there and then, I'd be offended to be asked for ID.