ForumsHome Based Business

I'd go see the customer and ask, face-to-face, "How come you haven't paid me yet?"

If they are withholding payment because they were dissatisfied with the work, you'll learn what (if anything) you can do to correct the problem and get your money.

If they are withholding payment because they have financial difficulties (and you simply happen to be the easiest creditor to ignore), appearing before them in-person will make it tougher to ignore you -- and you may get paid right then. Asking in person also gives you the chance to be empathetic to their situation, yet assertive. A carpet cleaning business grows on the basis of referrals, so think about what you want your word-of-mouth rep to be -- not just among your "perfect" customers, but among the "less-than-perfect" ones as well. It's probably better to be known as a business that is willing to work something out with a customer, rather than an enemy who hounds them with phone calls, letters, threats, and lawsuits.