We Have Bills Too!

A customer comes in to check his mailbox, and approaches the front counter holding his late notice on his mailbox rental. I prepare myself for battle… Sure enough, he asks “I’ve been a customer here for years. You’re really going to charge me a late fee?!” I ask him to allow me to check when his box rent was due. (It seems like it’s taking an eternity for the program to boot up…I love MBM!) His rent was due May 1st. (which means we initially gave him a rental notice 2 weeks before that) It is now the 23rd. I make him aware of the fact that we normally allow 10 business days after the due date without charging a late fee, and since we are an additional 2 weeks past that, that unfortunately, I do have to apply the charge. “Well, not that $10 is a lot, but it’s the principle. I’ll just move my box. There are plenty of other places that want my business.” He adds some comforting words to me: “I know it’s not you personally.” Gee, thanks.

And I am inclined to agree with him, it is the principle. It’s the fact that you are a full month past due. We are a business! We need our money too! And 10 business days is far more than any landlord, or credit card company, or city utility company will give you without penalties! So stop your whining, pay up…and you’re not moving your business for a lousy $10! Who are you kidding?!