3d head (canceled project-client unhappy)

[glorybound]

Recently, like last month, I had a client go ballistic because I didn't start her job. I told her that I don't start without a deposit and she told me that I should have told her that. I reminded her of the contract she signed, which says I don't start without the deposit and she doesn't get my work unless the balance is paid in full (I never enforce that one). She said, "I told you that I put the deposit check in the mail last Friday". Four weeks later she has the work; the deposit, or the balance, has never arrived. It was a small project, so I am letting it go; it was an inexpensive reminder to follow protocol.

[Syclone1]

Recently, like last month, I had a client go ballistic because I didn't start her job. I told her that I don't start without a deposit and she told me that I should have told her that. I reminded her of the contract she signed, which says I don't start without the deposit and she doesn't get my work unless the balance is paid in full (I never enforce that one). She said, "I told you that I put the deposit check in the mail last Friday". Four weeks later she has the work; the deposit, or the balance, has never arrived. It was a small project, so I am letting it go; it was an inexpensive reminder to follow protocol.

Ive gone through that with a few clients where I live over the years and now I never give in, I don't care how big or small the company is. Its 50% up front and the rest on delivery. The only exception is if Ive had a client for a year or more of steady work and payment and then Ill be more flexible.

I do like your deadbeat client list idea though.

[Morbid Angel]

Recently, like last month, I had a client go ballistic because I didn't start her job. I told her that I don't start without a deposit and she told me that I should have told her that. I reminded her of the contract she signed, which says I don't start without the deposit and she doesn't get my work unless the balance is paid in full (I never enforce that one). She said, "I told you that I put the deposit check in the mail last Friday". Four weeks later she has the work; the deposit, or the balance, has never arrived. It was a small project, so I am letting it go; it was an inexpensive reminder to follow protocol.

Bobby the way I deal with payments these days is if the client wants to send me cheque and its an asap thing, they can photograph the front/back of the cheque and you can do mobile deposit using your smart phone directly to you bank account in a matter of minutes. No wait for "mailed" cheque, no excuse for "i've sent it 4 weeks ago" type crap.

[glorybound]

You print, sign, and scan? I never thought of that.

[Morbid Angel]

You print, sign, and scan? I never thought of that.

Yeah you don't have to do anything except deposit, which you can do straight from the photo image on your computer monitor

[glorybound]

Well, if I don't get a check from that one clients, I'll email her requested a photo copy

[Oleg_Budeanu]

I don't see anything wrong with the model to be honest. Well hair looks a bit more like "fur", though that's a plus for the company - their medicine (or whatever they are doing) is making your hair so dense that it looks like fur
I just think that they just changed their mind. Though i see more than 60% of work done, so 20% of payment is really unfair.
About pre-payment debate, well for new clients i think that is a primary rule nad if you are working as a team or a small company - definetely you should always ask that, as you have expenses. For example i have couple of clients which i've been working with more than 5-8 years and i never ask for a pre-payment, only if there are expenses like buying models or rendering on a renderfarm.