Getting paid

[flino2004]

Their perspective is I didn't meet the deadline, but I didn't meet it because they kept dropping things on me, up until that morning. Should I negotiate final payment, or stand firm? I think, if I play my cards righ,t it can eventually be a good relationship.

Try to get your money, point them that you didn't get it on time bacause they didn't give you the info on time as well and don't try to work with them again... if they don't want to play right they won't do it later.

[stevesideas]

I'm also no leader but I got a feeling there's not much you can really do in this situation. At the end they will pay when they want to . I got one client that I'm still waiting for payment for 2 years now so nothing can surprise me anymore.
I just don't get people, and their lack of HONOR and RESPECT ! They want everything quickly and beautifully but when it comes to showing that they respect your work and pay .... well maybe I was just raised differently and this is how it is supposed to be

This is exactly how I think things should be done too. If clients want things delivered on time and to high standards they must adhere to your terms also. I think its very rude of clients to give late payment. I've had some in the past and had to chase them with at least one phone call and an email once a week. I find telephone calls much more powerful in persuading people to pay than emails. Try and speak to the same person each time and remind them of your terms and conditions. I also charge a 5% interest charge on the outstanding amount every month they are late in paying. That sometimes speeds up the payment.

I always make sure that I charge at least a 25% payment upfront before any work is started and make sure you schedule in payments that your client agrees to via email (not over the phone) so you have some hard evidence should you wish to take it further.

Obviously if you have a good relationship with a client and it is a one off then I guess its just a case of being patient. Some clients are a pain in the arse as we all know. Some are just very forgetful and don't realise your financial situation..whatever it may be. Either way they should be paying on time.

[glorybound]

I expect to get paid in full.... I don't thing int'l I will haggle on this one. I worked my butt off!

[glorybound]

I mailed a 5 day, pay or lawyer notice, and I got a call within hours. The architect apologized profusely, said the work I did was top notch, and he has just been very busy. The check came days later

[MoonDoggie]

Grats Bobby. Glad to hear it. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Not doing so makes you look like a jackass if you're wrong. If you're right, then no harm .

[Sawyer]

Grats Bobby. Glad to hear it. I always try to give people the benefit of the doubt. Not doing so makes you look like a jackass if you're wrong. If you're right, then no harm .

See thats the real trick. Always seem more gracious than you may feel. Sometimes its hard but I know that almost all of the times I had trouble getting paid it was a much bigger deal to me than to them - they just dropped the ball - but I felt personally attacked.

[glorybound]

I think I'll tell my power company that I was to busy to pay my electric bill

[prateekvishwa]

I think I'll tell my power company that I was to busy to pay my electric bill

ahha ha haa! i hope we can escape saying this. It is good to see you getting paid Bobby! i wish things will improve soon in India aswell so that clients start taking legal notices serious here. It is a good day for me aswell as today i got paid for the work which i did in 2009! I was doing followup with client since then but in vain.. finally i sent mail to the company MD & thankfully he was sensible enough to respond & that is how i managed to get my payment cleared.. I am happy to see 4k cheque in my hand

[glorybound]

prateekvishwa. I am glad you got paid, too!