Virtual Assistant Forums | Work from Home

Wordpro Wizard · #1 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009

Seems to me that so many VAs today are not getting paid - how do you chase someone a state or continent away without incurring huge costs, so you let it go and lose?

I suspect there are many "clients" out there who go from VA to VA, never paying a bill, just on to the next (sucker?). New VAs especially, anxious for clients, are especially being used and abused.

Is it possible, here where it is private and out of search engine sight, to have a "Blacklist" thread. Posters would have to relate their experiences, not just denegrate someone because they didn't like them. Tess?

I'm not posting this as it is a problem of mine. In fact I've a client who I've not heard from in a couple of months who still has as $48 prepaid credit, however back over the years (since the early 80s) I've been used and abused a few times and perhaps such a thread would give a heads up.

Lynne

Business-Bytes · #2 (**permalink**) 10-11-2009

I think this is a great idea, Lynne. Kind of built in protection of sorts. I wonder if there are any legal ramifications, though?

uniquely40 · #3 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009

Hello Everyone

I am seriously contemplating creating a database about dead beat and non paying clients, and making it available online to all VA's. It's time to put a stop to this practice of NON PAYMENT for work which have been done. Also maybe in the distant future reporting them to the credit bureau.

Total Resource Connection · #4 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009

I'm not sure I agree with the premise of this. I think instead of pointing out the deadbeat clients, we ought to be discussing best practices again.

If you are charging a retainer - and/or billing up front, there shouldn't be a deadbeat pay issue.

If a once - well paying customer becomes a slow pay, then why is the work still being done without readjusting the payment schedule?

Why is work being released without payment?

Are you settling for knocking your price down only to not have your work valued and not paid for?

I have no problems taking someone to small claims court for non-payment. I did it for a client one time - after the owner had a stroke and I knew I wasn't going to get paid unless I could levy the bank account. (It ultimately wasn't worth it in the end.)

There was one other situation where I didn't request $$ up front because I was new - and quite frankly a little desperate for the business - he tried to jerk me around. He forgot he had mentioned his partner's name, his partner was none to happy that the money he put out to pay me had been spent on something else. I was immediately paid - and only released further projects when paid in advanced. The trust was absolutely broken though, and that relationship didn't last long.

So twice in about 6 years, I've had serious issues with payment. Any other issues, when it was made clear, no payment, no work - it resolved itself rather quickly.

The economy, while tight - isn't so bad that we need to knock down best practices and then be surprised we aren't paid.

(I keep re-reading this and it sounds harsher than it's intended to - but I'm not sure where to soften it. We need to be the ones protecting our business by our decisions, not blaming others. I think the general idea of a deadbeat list is fringed with libel and slander since it can't be proven here that it was intentional.)

leedrozak · #5 (**permalink**) 10-12-2009

I don't agree with a black list. My reasoning is that I have a solid payment plan and if I make the mistake of getting a deadbeat, shame on my for not following through with my terms. I have only had one extremely slow payer (who was an acquaintance that I took on for a small project) and I now know I have my terms in place for a reason.

VIPlifestyle · #6 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009

I agree there should not be a black list. I have a strict no payment, no work policy and have very few problems with payment issues.

Clerical Advantage · #7 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009

A black list would run into all kinds of legal ramifications. I agree with Cheryl that VA's need to change their payment structure, collecting a prepayment amount and if at all possible, not delivering the finished product until paid.
For example, when I create blog headers I put a "Sample by T.Marie Hilton" watermark on the graphic until paid. It allows the client to see the finished product, but not use it until I've been paid. If at all possible, don't release the finished work until paid.

uniquely40 · #8 (**permalink**) 12-24-2009

I have just re read this thread about blacklisting a client. One person said you will ran into legal issue.

1. If you have a signed contract with the client -- what type of legal action can their have against you, you provided them with a service that's specified in the contract.

2. Why should you as the service provider adjust your payment schedule, this is a business not a hobbie. If your client request an extension, well that's a different story, but the client should be inform of how many extensions you would allow them. I would also prepare an addendum to their retainer stipulating the same.

3. Work should not be release until payment is receive in full, but sometime that is not the case. What will happen if work is release before final payment should be stipulated in the retainer.

I've always believe that everything you do with a client should be written into a retainer or contract. Anything can happen during the course of your relationship with a client, if their know your stipulation then everything should go smoothly.

But then you'll get some clients that will test you; I don't like it when I am tested; I usually take the legal route to handle situations. Life is to short, I don't need bad clients.

I have 3 bad clients which I have proof that they're exactly that. I am creating a database with bad clients name and making it readily available to VA's. I made numerous attempts to retrieve the monies, but no good. It's time to put a stop to this practice of moving from VA to VA to get the work done without payment.

CJ's Virtual Business Solution · #9 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009

I don't believe in lists of this kind. I believe we are all responsible for our own actions. As a business owner another VA and I could contract with the same client with different results. For some reason he may not treat you fairly and have no problem with me or vice versa. Using a list like this could "cost" one of us a client. I also have a question about any legal ramifications here - could the client consider it libel?

I have written contracts with all my clients (reviewed by an attorney) so if they default I can legally take them to court. When I had my first business in the mid-90's I had a client who refused to pay because he couldn't open the excel spreadsheet I prepared for him. My attorney filed a claim in small claims court and the judge determined that the client didn't even know how to access excel and the fault was not mine.

I wish that each and every VA gets only the BEST clients. I know that's not possible - but I dream big for all of us.

Carol

uniquely40 · #10 (**permalink**) 12-25-2009

Originally Posted by CJ's Virtual Business Solution

I don't believe in lists of this kind. I believe we are all responsible for our own actions. As a business owner another VA and I could contract with the same client with different results. For some reason he may not treat you fairly and have no problem with me or vice versa. Using a list like this could "cost" one of us a client. I also have a question about any legal ramifications here - could the client consider it libel?

I have written contracts with all my clients (reviewed by an attorney) so if they default I can legally take them to court. When I had my first business in the mid-90's I had a client who refused to pay because he couldn't open the excel spreadsheet I prepared for him. My attorney filed a claim in small claims court and the judge determined that the client didn't even know how to access excel and the fault was not mine.

I wish that each and every VA gets only the BEST clients. I know that's not possible - but I dream big for all of us.

Carol

We all have different views in how to handle our clients. I deal with non paying clients, the way credit card reporting company do. I will created a list from information that is giving to me from different VA's. As long as the VA have the proof that the clients is bad and their records are kept extremely well. Concrete stipulation will be in place before acceptance. I can't in good conscious past along a client that is bad to another VA. Some of us work by testimonies, referrals and word of mouth. But the final decision to work for that person is the VA's and not mine, I will just giving them a another outlook.

Remember I am not talk about a client that didn't pay their bill for two months, etc. I am speaking about a client that you have tried repeatedly to get payment from which entails sending them their invoices via Us Mail (certified and return receipt requested) and email for collections. Anyone dealing with the court system, know there must be a paper trail in order to validate any court proceeding. Bottom line, ' GET IT IN WRITING'.

Maybe I am sounding harsh but the reality is, this is my business and not a hobbie. I like to cover all bases. The decision to do this was long and hard, but you have to draw the line some where.