More Insanity

It has never ceased to amaze me at how computer programmers seem unable to add a couple of lines of code that prevent their latest accounts package from producing a statement of chaser for less than a full pound, but in fact it actually seems to be getting worse.

 

In the last week we have both received a statement / chaser for the princely sum of £0.00 ... and then to top that off a letter threatening legal action for -£2.36 ( or some other credit less than £5 ).

 

So not only are they actually owing us and not the other way around, but they are still sending letters informing us that unless we allow them to pay us, or possibly unless we send an invoice of our own, then they will take us to court! I've heard of accountants trying to tie things up right to the penny, but even for one of us this kind of action seems extreme.

 

But even this pales into insignificance to the letter that we received in today's post. One of our big corporate customers, who occasionally send us requests for property valuations, have updated their own accounts and order processing centres, at what appears to be a phenomenal cost.

 

However they in their wisdom ( slyness ), have decided that rather than accept this as their own one off charge, they have decided to pass on the costs and have thus created kickback to themselves from both customers AND suppliers alike.

 

As such, from now on, anyone who wants to receive work orders from them must pay a one off "subscription and support fee". That's right, before you can even start to do any work for them ( which they want and is for their benefit ) and before you can bill them for any work done you must first pay them for the privilege of being able to receive orders from them.

 

And here was I thinking that financial blackmail was against the law!!! It would be totally remiss of me to point out or in any way mention which Commercial Instruction Distribution centre have dreamt up this money making scheme, so I wont say which. What I will say is that whenever I personally think of them I cannot help but think of the awful pun of 'tree-skin hen-action', but that's just me I guess!