I had a lady. I underbid the project intentionally because she had three kids, single mom and her deck was incredibly nasty. I went to her the morning we were completing that we would be finished by noon and that the remaining half was due upon completion. She looks me right in the eye and told me she would have the check ($750) When I knock up her kids say she had to run out and she would mail the check. I knew right away I was in trouble but I had a signed contract and a digital copy of the first half she paid.
I called her every day for a week. I remailed her an ivoice with a SASE. The second week I sent a personalized letter via registered mail. I explained to her that she was taking food from my children's mouth and how, as a parent, could she do that in good conciense. I call every few days (always messages) I offered her terms..never a call back.... The third week I informed her I was filing a contractor lien against her property. I called her the fourth week and told her the time was up and that on Monday I was filing liens, a civil action and criminal charges (an obvious bluff). It worked.. last Wednesday, to my surprise, I opened a letter and out popped a $700 check..the deadbeat still got me for $50
Since that day I will not discount a nickel to anyone, young, old or impoverished. It's unfortunate that losers like this lady (she drives a Mercedes SUV I later found out) spoil it for mankind. --Thanks