Hi guys,

I think I'm just looking for some reassurance that I have done the right thing.

I had a client that I took on a couple of months ago and he has failed to pay Novembers invoice. He is given 30days to pay but it is now nearly 3 weeks since the 30days were up I issued a second invoice for Decembers work and reminded him that the other was still outstanding but he has not paid either as yet.
I have now sent a solicitors letter to ask for payment within 7 days and emailed him to let him know this and that I can not continue working with him until this matter is resolved. I don't want to fall out with the client but I feel he left me no option. I am only just starting out and rely on payments being made promptly.
Has anyone else had this experience and if so what advice would you give.

Thanks
Karen

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First Class Office Assistance
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yes, get it quite often..... my first tactic is to re-send the invoice, just in case it didn't go through the first time. Following which I'll re-send it again with a direct note to say it's overdue please could they chase it up for me. After that... thankfully hasn't happened yet, that usually does the trick and fingers crossed it stays that way!

Hope you get it sorted

And yes, it is frustrating when you rely on the money...

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Bridie's Typing Services - specialising in transcription services
The professional's choice

For me I have a company policy for all new clients which is they must pay in advance. After they are established they are put on a billing schedule. If they don't pay by the specified date, no more work is done. I just don't want to track down clients so this is easier for me. I also don't want to work with clients that are not going to pay me on time.
HTH

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Thanks for the input guys.
After sending them the email today telling them a solicitors letter was being sent they paid me immediately. Its a shame it took for me to do that to get what was owed

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Well, as long as you got the money, it's all a learning experience that we can benefit from that will help our businesses. Glad you got paid!

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JoCarole
http://www.shoreofficeservices.com

Hi Karen, I'm so glad to see this was resolved in the interim. This is a good time to pause and take a look at your new client policies as well as your invoicing and late payment policies. In my own business development these policies came 'late' too, that is, *after* an unpaid invoice situation came to the front for me. I never wanted to experience that again and immediately put policies in place to keep that stress out of my business and life. It's one of the best things I've ever done for my practice and my sanity.

Check out the Business Policies and Procedures and the Billing Policies sections for conversations and info on this very topic.

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Hi Tess,

Thanks for the info I will definitely check them out.

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