As a newsagents we deliver to an old people’s home and, obviously, from time-to-time customers in their twilight years pass on, leaving us with a bill to collect. Not a problem usually as we often get a relative come down and thank us for the service and the matter is settled.
One of our customers from the old folks’ home passed away a good few months back – not a problem, I think, it will be settled. The unusual thing about this customer was that I was forwarding the bills onto their relative in town who would come and settle the bill. Of course, being the nice guy I am, I didn’t even charge them for the stamp. Hey, I’m Mr Wonderful.
So after the passing I send out the bill to the relative expecting them to pay up and forget about it. Bills get sent out, reminders, etc but I think they might be busy dealing with the bereavement. No problem – it will settled, eventually. These things take time – be gentle – death is involved, etc.
Imagine my surprise when I get a letter from the company dealing with deceased customers probate and I am to apply as a creditor to them to get the bill settled. I was a little bit flabbergasted. Couldn’t the relative just settle the bill like they had been doing previously? It’s not a huge amount. But no – we have to apply to get our money back.
This place never ceases to amaze me…

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