I just thought I'd put this out there and see if anyone else has had an experience with a client similar to this.

We decided to part ways with an existing client for mutually agreeable reasons - no harm, no foul. She had one outstanding invoice that was already 14 days past due when we ended the relationship and now that it is 30 days past due compounded by late fees she is flat out refusing to pay, making up all kinds of allegations about the code we did for her (just because she can't figure it out, and it's a TEENY tiny little HTML site written in PHP) and trying to say that our attempts to collect are harrassment (two paypal reminders and two emails - to which she replied very snotty, rude and nasty comments that I've never ever had to experience in my professional life much less from someone I respected and worked with for eight months, too bad the respect wasn't at all mutual!).

Now as far as I'm concerned collecting on an invoice (or at least attempting to) is not harassment but she's clearly in a snit in her own life and maybe none of this actually has anything to do with me in the end, yet she continues to take it out on us.

Finally last night she cancelled our paypal request and sent us an email copying someone she claimed was her lawyer.

Instead of engage the client further I wrote the lawyer an email requesting that all copyrighted programs on the client's URL be removed to which I rec'd no reply. Some lawyer

In the end, it's better to learn the lesson now on a $300 unpaid tab than later when she's got two or three invoices out and unpaid. Good to know it now, and the best part is, I've developed an entirely new approach to new clients - deposits must be made before work begins and must be replenished before work continues.

I am so curious about anyone else's stories about not being paid or not being respected or both?? Spill the beans ladies

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I totally feel you. I have a client who, by all measures, is less than great at paying invoices. This past week, he was over 3 weeks late. Not only that, but every time I asked him about it, I got a vague answer in return.

When I finally was ready to let him go, I received the payment. Now, I would have to say he is at the bottom of the list of my clients. I love the idea about deposits, I don't do that, but it is definately a great idea.

I have another client who is on the ball when it comes to payments. He not only pays the day I do the work, he usually pays extra, in case it takes me longer(If there is extra money left over, it goes on the next project.)

Finding a method that works for us, takes time, and perseverance.. Getting good clients is the key.

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Winslow Girl Virtual Assistant
www.winslowgirlva.com
Taking Virtual Assistance to the Next Level

Yes, I agree - sadly, I thought she was an excellent client, which is the reason we took her on. She came as a referral - something I *thought* would make this kind of thing a non-issue....boy was I wrong.

For our existing clients I won't require a deposit, some have been with us for two years almost...but new clients are going to have to work around my newfound fear of getting taken advantage of...
Oh well....it's all a lesson (and so, a gift, really) in the end! That's the only way to look at it I suppose

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I also was taken by someone who I did not even require a written contract because he was a long-time friend. I learned a hard lesson. He still owes me for about 5 months work (I could have bought a car with the amount of money he owes me) and never paid me a dime! Instead, he kept giving me a story and kept moving up the date until I finally stopped the work and he gave me a huge attitude. Undoubtedly, our longtime friendship is over.

I can't stress how important it is to have a detailed written contract and follow through with your policies and procedures. If you want to give your client a credit or discount you can include this on the invoice and you both feel good about it.

Edsupport, I am sorry to hear that a friendship ended. It just goes to show that no matter who they are, a signed contract should always be received before commencing the project, it not only protects you but also the client.

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Vicky
www.c-vas.eu

Yes, you are right it really does protect both parties. Customers might not always see it this way. It does offer protection for both of you if a dispute were to arise later.

Well, I was burnt by a client 2 years ago, and he still owes me 15-days worth of invoice.

I've had this happen a few times and it's really stressful. With one client - we worked a payment plan with him and he came thru - believe it or not!

The other two clients - it took some gentle reminders to get them to pay up. In my contract that I use - it has a clause that states the client has a grace period of X days ( usually 15 to 30 depending on the job) to pay their invoice and then the client is in arrears.
What I have done is given the client a final notice prior to late fees which states what they owe and then a reminder of the contract clause.

One client paid when they got their final notice prior. The other client pitched a fit when he got a 10 percent penality on top of their bill - and then promptly paid.

I looked at it this way - if they were unhappy with the work - they should have spoken up when they were presented with the final project. If not - its too late.

Also - with any client - I conduct an exit interview so I know if any bumps are going to occur. In that exit interview we discuss the final bill and when it is due along with any project issues they may have.

I'm so sorry this happened to you.

I had this happen to me once also, but as you said it was a lesson well learned. I no longer do work for a client without being paid first or receiving a deposit.

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Kim Beckers
Online Business Manager

Half up front and rest at completion is the best way I have figured out on how to deal with clients. Sometimes though it is just good business if you let the client go.