missing customers.........

[steve garro]

how long do you give them before you toss the paperwork & write off the deposits? i have a husband & wife i have not heard from in a few years..........efforts to contact have failed.

[EnginCycles]

Just put it on the back burner and if they ever contact you tell them they can get back in line and pay current price (all pre-paid). It is their deposit if they ever get in touch. No refund but still good for a pre-paid sale. That is how I would deal with it.
-Drew

[themanmonkey]

Steve I don't have any framebuilding customers in this situation, but I've run into this a ton in shops. After 3 months of a bike being left at the shop I send a registered letter and document any phone calls or emails I've sent. If there is still no response I'll put it all in a folder and let sit for a couple more months. Then one more last ditch effort similar to the first and if still no response the bike goes up for sale as unclaimed property. The laws for this change a bit depending on where you are.

What Drew said is pretty good advice too. In a lot of cases folks have more important priorities than a deposit on a bike frame. Family emergencies or death are realities of life and you can't wait forever. Do your due diligence and then let them come to you.

[steve garro]

but, can't you even throw out tax info after 5yrs?

[N@Weller]

but, can't you even throw out tax info after 5yrs?

I thought it was 7