Guest guest Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 What do you all do when a mom has a Lactina that she has not paid for in two months, her credit card will not go through and she will not answer any of my phone call messages or emails or letters. Of course as life would have it, this is one of the very few pumps that I own, rather than rent from Medela, so I cannot go to them for help. What do I do first as far as collection agency, going to her house to try and get the pump back (scary?), small claims,etc.? Thanks, Ann Yikes, Ann. I'm dealing with the same thing, except since this is a pump that is owned by Medela, I'm off that hook -- except -- for some reason I don't have the book which I used to rent the pump so all I have is her name & address. So far she has paid for a full year (go figure), but has not responded to me since April, 2006. Yesterday I sent her a certified letter which documented the dates I had sent her invoices and dates I'd left messages on her phone. I said that if I didn't hear from her I would be obligated to turn her case over to Medela for "action by the appropriate authorities." as I "had to consider the pump stolen." Now, since you own the pump, I would do the certified letter with the "will turn the case over to the appropriate authorities as you have to consider it stolen property" phrase unless she returns it by....... Good luck. I HATE this. And this is the first one I've had in -- gosh -- years. The last one at least left the pump on the sidewalk -- didn't even put it on the porch. Sigh. JanLactation Education Consultants My Mother of the Bride Blog Torrey's Blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 17, 2006 Report Share Posted October 17, 2006 What do you all do when a mom has a Lactina that she has not paid for in two months, her credit card will not go through and she will not answer any of my phone call messages or emails or letters. Of course as life would have it, this is one of the very few pumps that I own, rather than rent from Medela, so I cannot go to them for help. What do I do first as far as collection agency, going to her house to try and get the pump back (scary?), small claims,etc.? Thanks, Ann Yikes, Ann. I'm dealing with the same thing, except since this is a pump that is owned by Medela, I'm off that hook -- except -- for some reason I don't have the book which I used to rent the pump so all I have is her name & address. So far she has paid for a full year (go figure), but has not responded to me since April, 2006. Yesterday I sent her a certified letter which documented the dates I had sent her invoices and dates I'd left messages on her phone. I said that if I didn't hear from her I would be obligated to turn her case over to Medela for "action by the appropriate authorities." as I "had to consider the pump stolen." Now, since you own the pump, I would do the certified letter with the "will turn the case over to the appropriate authorities as you have to consider it stolen property" phrase unless she returns it by....... Good luck. I HATE this. And this is the first one I've had in -- gosh -- years. The last one at least left the pump on the sidewalk -- didn't even put it on the porch. Sigh. JanLactation Education Consultants My Mother of the Bride Blog Torrey's Blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 This is a hard one - I have luckily never lost a pump !! I would think that Jan is right - send a certified return receipt letter or actually my husband has offered a few times to call himself and say he was a collection agency and the pump needed to be returned by such and such date with the correct payment or at least the pump returned and a payment schedule could be arranged. He hasn't had to do it yet - Thank G-d! Scary because I would much rather lose some money then a pump I owned. I always get drivers license or social security numbers. I do not take credit card numbers because I don't use credit cards yet and then if some one said just put it on my credit card and I say I don't take them- I look foolish. Good luck - I'd say forget the money and give me the pump!! Donna Kimick, IBCLC, RLC Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 This is a hard one - I have luckily never lost a pump !! I would think that Jan is right - send a certified return receipt letter or actually my husband has offered a few times to call himself and say he was a collection agency and the pump needed to be returned by such and such date with the correct payment or at least the pump returned and a payment schedule could be arranged. He hasn't had to do it yet I sent my certified letter on Monday, she called me yesterday, and said: A. Never got the three bills I sent out, but did get the certified letter.... B. Never received the three phone messages I left. C. The cleaning ladies put the pump in the closet and she thought her husband had returned it. D. She'll return it today. ???????? We'll see. JanLactation Education Consultants My Mother of the Bride Blog Torrey's Blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 I would show up at her house. >From: ibclc@... >Reply-To: >To: >Subject: Re: Runaway pump >Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:06:01 EDT > > >In a message dated 10/17/2006 1:58:09 P.M. Central Daylight Time, >aconsmith@... writes: > >What do you all do when a mom has a Lactina that she has not paid for in >two >months, her credit card will not go through and she will not answer any of >my phone call messages or emails or letters. Of course as life would have >it, >this is one of the very few pumps that I own, rather than rent from >Medela, >so I cannot go to them for help. What do I do first as far as collection >agency, going to her house to try and get the pump back (scary?), small >claims,etc.? Thanks, Ann > > > > >Yikes, Ann. I'm dealing with the same thing, except since this is a pump >that is owned by Medela, I'm off that hook -- except -- for some reason I >don't >have the book which I used to rent the pump so all I have is her name & >address. > >So far she has paid for a full year (go figure), but has not responded to >me >since April, 2006. > >Yesterday I sent her a certified letter which documented the dates I had >sent her invoices and dates I'd left messages on her phone. I said that >if I >didn't hear from her I would be obligated to turn her case over to Medela >for > " action by the appropriate authorities. " as I " had to consider the pump >stolen. " > >Now, since you own the pump, I would do the certified letter with the > " will >turn the case over to the appropriate authorities as you have to consider >it >stolen property " phrase unless she returns it by....... > >Good luck. > >I HATE this. And this is the first one I've had in -- gosh -- years. > >The last one at least left the pump on the sidewalk -- didn't even put it >on >the porch. > >Sigh. > > Jan > >_Lactation Education Consultants_ >(http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com/) >_My Mother of the Bride Blog_ >(http://www.motherofbridebyjan.blogspot.com/) >_Torrey's Blog_ (http://www.marriedcouplebytorrey.blogspot.com/) > > > > > ><< copy_20of_20purplesling.jpg >> _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.\ live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create & wx_url=/friends.aspx & mkt=en-us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 I would show up at her house. >From: ibclc@... >Reply-To: >To: >Subject: Re: Runaway pump >Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2006 15:06:01 EDT > > >In a message dated 10/17/2006 1:58:09 P.M. Central Daylight Time, >aconsmith@... writes: > >What do you all do when a mom has a Lactina that she has not paid for in >two >months, her credit card will not go through and she will not answer any of >my phone call messages or emails or letters. Of course as life would have >it, >this is one of the very few pumps that I own, rather than rent from >Medela, >so I cannot go to them for help. What do I do first as far as collection >agency, going to her house to try and get the pump back (scary?), small >claims,etc.? Thanks, Ann > > > > >Yikes, Ann. I'm dealing with the same thing, except since this is a pump >that is owned by Medela, I'm off that hook -- except -- for some reason I >don't >have the book which I used to rent the pump so all I have is her name & >address. > >So far she has paid for a full year (go figure), but has not responded to >me >since April, 2006. > >Yesterday I sent her a certified letter which documented the dates I had >sent her invoices and dates I'd left messages on her phone. I said that >if I >didn't hear from her I would be obligated to turn her case over to Medela >for > " action by the appropriate authorities. " as I " had to consider the pump >stolen. " > >Now, since you own the pump, I would do the certified letter with the > " will >turn the case over to the appropriate authorities as you have to consider >it >stolen property " phrase unless she returns it by....... > >Good luck. > >I HATE this. And this is the first one I've had in -- gosh -- years. > >The last one at least left the pump on the sidewalk -- didn't even put it >on >the porch. > >Sigh. > > Jan > >_Lactation Education Consultants_ >(http://www.lactationeducationconsultants.com/) >_My Mother of the Bride Blog_ >(http://www.motherofbridebyjan.blogspot.com/) >_Torrey's Blog_ (http://www.marriedcouplebytorrey.blogspot.com/) > > > > > ><< copy_20of_20purplesling.jpg >> _________________________________________________________________ Stay in touch with old friends and meet new ones with Windows Live Spaces http://clk.atdmt.com/MSN/go/msnnkwsp0070000001msn/direct/01/?href=http://spaces.\ live.com/spacesapi.aspx?wx_action=create & wx_url=/friends.aspx & mkt=en-us Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Sounds like the certified letter is the best option, after a couple of phone calls not returned...just jump to the chase, then you'll find out sooner if they've skipped town/moved... My pump came back today, complete with payment, and a lovely chat w/ the mom. She's had it nearly 18 months. Go figure. JanLactation Education Consultants My Mother of the Bride Blog Torrey's Blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Sounds like the certified letter is the best option, after a couple of phone calls not returned...just jump to the chase, then you'll find out sooner if they've skipped town/moved... My pump came back today, complete with payment, and a lovely chat w/ the mom. She's had it nearly 18 months. Go figure. JanLactation Education Consultants My Mother of the Bride Blog Torrey's Blog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 My dog ate my homework :-). - ibclc@... wrote: I sent my certified letter on Monday, she called me yesterday, and said: A. Never got the three bills I sent out, but did get the certified letter.... B. Never received the three phone messages I left. C. The cleaning ladies put the pump in the closet and she thought her husband had returned it. D. She'll return it today. ???????? We'll see. JanLactation Education Consultants My Mother of the Bride Blog Torrey's Blog All-new Yahoo! Mail - Fire up a more powerful email and get things done faster. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Sounds like the certified letter is the best option, after a couple of phone calls not returned...just jump to the chase, then you'll find out sooner if they've skipped town/moved... If that doesn't do it, and you've decided they're deadbeats and have no intention of continuing your relationship, you might try this more severe option. I have found simply filing a suit in small claims court to be very effective (not pump related); paying the extra $28 to have the suit noticed (delivered by hand), by a uniformed US Marshal no less, will scare the bejeesus out of them! It got me the desired response, settling out of court *fast*... good luck, lee Hulburt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Sounds like the certified letter is the best option, after a couple of phone calls not returned...just jump to the chase, then you'll find out sooner if they've skipped town/moved... If that doesn't do it, and you've decided they're deadbeats and have no intention of continuing your relationship, you might try this more severe option. I have found simply filing a suit in small claims court to be very effective (not pump related); paying the extra $28 to have the suit noticed (delivered by hand), by a uniformed US Marshal no less, will scare the bejeesus out of them! It got me the desired response, settling out of court *fast*... good luck, lee Hulburt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 18, 2006 Report Share Posted October 18, 2006 Hi Ann,I've had this happen several times. In the worst case, I hadn't gotten all the info on the rental form, so I was afraid that Medela wouldn't honor the insurance. This was a "disadvantaged" family that I'd thought to help. Mother was deaf and father translated. When I went to their home in person (the original apartment, not where they moved) since it was daytime, no one answered the door (duh) and I left a message on the pad at the door.I finally called the police to report a stolen pump. They told me that rental items weren't considered property, it would be more a civil breach of contract matter. But I was fortunate enought to have a female officer (who had breastfed) respond to my call and she said that she'd stop by the person's home to see what was up. Then she came back and said that while checking it out, she found that the father was going to be served a warrant for arrest the next day and she'd asked the officers doing the arrest if they'd pick up the pump at the same time. Just in case she "unofficially" gave me all the missing info for my contract, so that worst casing it I could send it in to Medela. But they did get the pump and I went to pick it up the next day at the police station. It was bizarre. The police were so tickled that they could help. Turns out the pump was sitting in a closet gathering dust. So maybe call the police to report stolen property. See what they say. You might get lucky like I did.I have gone to someone's home to see about payment. I took someone else with me and knocked on the door and asked about the pump. They were mortified! They gave me the pump and actually gave me the several months overdue payment. Of course I felt like a heel, cause it was all cash and I worried that I was taking the food out of their mouth, but....So if you go to someone's home, I'd take someone with you, preferably someone tall and strong.Good luck Ann,Regards, Cindi Runaway pump What do you all do when a mom has a Lactina that she has not paid for in two months, her credit card will not go through and she will not answer any of my phone call messages or emails or letters. Of course as life would have it, this is one of the very few pumps that I own, rather than rent from Medela, so I cannot go to them for help. What do I do first as far as collection agency, going to her house to try and get the pump back (scary?), small claims,etc.? Thanks, Ann Ann Conlon-, IBCLC Triangle Lactation Consultants www.trianglelactation.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest guest Posted October 19, 2006 Report Share Posted October 19, 2006 I am glad to read the individual stories-it makes me feel less abused <g>. I lose about a pump a year. I have tried all sorts of hoop jumping to get around this issue including charging only my cost so the mom can catch up, writing off late fee's, personal notes, etc. I have taken moms to magistrate court ($60 +my time) where they either haven't shown up, or bring the pump without payment. The judge always finds in my favor, but to get my money, I have to attend another court date-if they don't show there, it costs me $100 to get them arrested. I can pile those costs onto the rental fee, but what's the point-I obviously can't get blood from a stone. The last pump problem I had, I tried an example from someone the list. The mom wrote me a hot check when she returned the pump after the certified letter. I waited for funds to hit the account for 3 months, but didn't cash it so there weren't charges to me or her (never happened). Finally, I wrote her a note asking her to send me minimum payment when she could and returned the check. She's probably still laughing. Oh well, it was worth a shot. The one thing I don't do is show up at a front door-you never know what you can walk into and a pump isn't worth my health or well being. My terms are payment in 10 days from renewal date-and that's not business days. Moms can pay in person, mail a check, or online at my website. On day 11, there is a late fee. If she is three weeks overdue, I will call or send a postcard reminder. By one month, I send the certified letter. The wording is carefully non-confrontational (I don't want to deal with harrassment issues)but clearly states the account will be turned over to Medela, Inc/Hollister to initiate the collection process. If the pump and payment isn't in my hands in 10 days after the letter went out, I report it to the manufacturer, file the paperwork, and wait for my replacement pump. I am sure that I am not the only person these moms are ripping off, so I don't take it personally-it's the hazards of doing business. However, if I owned the pump, I would definately report it stolen. The high value probably makes it a felony in your state and you might at least get it back. Plus you will probably need a police reort to file with your business insurance. Altman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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