I do believe that has been covered before, but I would like to get some new insight. Here is a short run down and my question:
I have a retainer client, this is his 2nd month. Of course first payment was received, no problem, because work would not begin without it. I bill on the 20th, reminder on the 1st and invoice is due on the 5th. When I sent the reminder on the 1st, he sent back an email that said "I have not forgotten about you." Which I thought ok cool, he will pay on time. It is now the 8th, he has been sent 4 invoices and the last 2 he has said nothing.

What do I do? Do I send a friendly email just asking when I should expect payment? Do I cease all work until payment is made? I don't want to burn any bridges but this is my business and I will not work for free nor do my bills get paid without client payment.

If you can offer any advice or help, it would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks and apologies for the length
Kirsten
Savvy Business Solutions

If it were me, I'd stop working immediately. If you don't stand up for your standards and procedures now, it may start a precedent where he is late with payment every month and you don't want to have to deal with that.

Personally, if your are friendly - yet firm - I don't think you will burn any bridges. You absolutely deserve to be paid for your work! Just my .02. Good luck!

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Blessings,
Carol

Thank You Carol!
Would you send an email asking when payment was expected and advise him that work will cease until payment is made?

Sorry to take so long to get back to you, I'm just seeing this now. We lost power here in Steubenville for almost 24 hours, so I haven't been able to get online.

If it's not too late, I would try to get the client on the phone. If that's not possible, then I'd send an email.

If it is too late, how did you make out??

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Blessings,
Carol

I agree with Carol - I don't work on retainer so I don't have a clear understanding of what the 'standard' policies are but I just wanted to ask, is the client still communicating with you in order to send you work requests? Either way, I'd definitely stop work and let him know you won't pick up again until the retainer is paid.

Again, I'm not sure what is customary for retainer agreements but if it was my practice/contract I'd probably require the retainer up front each month until the client is a part of my practice for at least six months [similar to my current policy of taking a deposit from all new clients against six months of regularly paid invoices]

I hope you're able to get this resolved! Do post back and let us know how it goes

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Ya, he is still requesting work and sending me emails about what needs done. BUT if I send him an email, he will only reply if it does NOT have to do with the invoice or payment. Pretty shadey. Well, when the invoice went out, it would have been paid up front. I have all retainer clients prepay for the month, but now his is 5 days overdue.

I guess I should make the dreaded phone call huh? =(

You'll need to make the call. I might suggest that you also respond to all his emails with a polite response stating no more work until past due invoice paid. You can tell him you still want to work with him but you do not let any of your clients get work for "free."

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CJ's Virtual Business Solutions
www.cjvbs.com

Tess,
So you have them pay a deposit? And still then pay their monthly invoice? So that after 6 months of regular payment, they then have a credit. So I should probably rewrite mine and have all retainers pay retainer and a deposit??

Hmmm...that may work out better

I would cease work until payment is made.

If you have a late payment policy in place, I would incur this as well. For as much as you don't want to burn bridges, you don't want to be taken advantage of either.

Tess,

Your deposit policy caught my eye as well.

Janine

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I too would have to agree with everyone here. Stop all work and send him an email, so it is in writing, that you will continue after the bill has been paid.

During the holiday seasons, for some reason or another, it would seem that clients tend to lax on payment, the only reason for this, that I can think of, is that they are coming to the end of the year and have other plans or have run out of funds...

Good luck on what ever you decide to do.

Sincerely,
Andrea~

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|