Rates and Billing

Discuss setting rates and find billing resources and information.

Forum Sponsor (Advertise with us)
Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
    #1 (permalink)  
Old 03-18-2009
cinshan's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Silver Lining Business Solutions
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 59
Default Deposit or No Deposit
Hello everyone! I have been working hard on building my website and was thinking....

Do you require a 50% deposit? What is the norm? I have checked out a few different VA websites and some do and some don't.

Not sure what I should do.

As always thank you for your help.

Cindy
Reply With Quote
    #2 (permalink)  
Old 03-18-2009
Rebecka Melson's Avatar
Resident Member
Company name: Virtual Business Services
 
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Oklahoma, USA
Posts: 1,118
Send a message via Skype™ to Rebecka Melson
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
I always charge a deposit from new clients. It's a minimum $100 but could be more depending on the project.
__________________
Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services
Reply With Quote
    #3 (permalink)  
Old 03-18-2009
Tess's Avatar
Senior Member
Company name: Codehead, LLP
Latest blog post: SEO Q&A
 
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 9,131
Blog Entries: 3
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
I also always charge new clients a deposit [min $250 but depends on what they're contracting for] against six months regularly paid invoices or the close of the project, whichever applies. After that, it cycles back to them - assuming there is no balance due.
__________________
Create a welcome packet for new clients with this guide and free templates!

(Available in PDF and Kindle versions)
Reply With Quote
    #4 (permalink)  
Old 03-19-2009
MontereyBayVA's Avatar
Contributing Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 70
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
Deposit for what? A webpage? I have thoughts if so, but...don't want to answer the wrong thing.
Reply With Quote
    #5 (permalink)  
Old 03-19-2009
cinshan's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Silver Lining Business Solutions
 
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Mays Landing, NJ
Posts: 59
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
Not necessarily for a webpage, as I will not be offering that service. For any of the services that I will be providing. Let's say a client............ok now another question came into my head......

Are most your clients on a retainer with you? I

If they are on retainer, request a deposit but if they only need your services for 2-3 hours than no deposit?
Reply With Quote
    #6 (permalink)  
Old 03-19-2009
VirtualLorri's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Virtual Synergy
 
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Missoula, MT
Posts: 119
Send a message via ICQ to VirtualLorri Send a message via AIM to VirtualLorri Send a message via MSN to VirtualLorri
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
I don't do project work, so I don't require deposits. I work on retainer only and retainers are paid in advance for the month.
__________________
~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~
Lorri Morin, CPVA
www.virtualsynergy.net
Reply With Quote
    #7 (permalink)  
Old 03-19-2009
KyleSC's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: KSC Virtual Assistant Services
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Grand Junction, CO
Posts: 66
Blog Entries: 1
Send a message via Skype™ to KyleSC
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
For my retainer clients, they pay the month in advance. I have a few pay-as-you-go clients, and they pay the following month after the work is done. Even though they are PAYG, they are still on-going clients, so I don't charge a deposit. I have never had a problem with clients paying me.
__________________
Kyle Sheldon-Chandler
KSC Virtual Assistant Services
Reply With Quote
    #8 (permalink)  
Old 03-19-2009
New Member
 
Join Date: May 2008
Posts: 45
Send a message via Yahoo to Tricia
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
I don't require a deposit but if it is a new client I just started working with I do ask for a month in advance. I know this don't help you much but just wanted to put my two cents in.
__________________
Tricia
Saving You Time Is My Business
Reply With Quote
    #9 (permalink)  
Old 03-20-2009
leedrozak's Avatar
Resident Member
Company name: My Office Assistant
Small Business Practical Times: Web Security: Password Protection
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Western Pennsylvania
Posts: 2,263
Blog Entries: 13
Send a message via Yahoo to leedrozak Send a message via Skype™ to leedrozak
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
My retainer clients pay month in advance and my PAYG clients pay monthly however I do require an initial deposit based on the project scope. Once they are established with me I forgo any additional deposit and bill on a monthly basis.
__________________
Lee Drozak
My Office Assistant
Reply With Quote
    #10 (permalink)  
Old 03-20-2009
Apex Virtual Assistance's Avatar
Contributing Member
Company name: Apex Virtual Solutions
 
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Posts: 113
Blog Entries: 1
Send a message via Yahoo to Apex Virtual Assistance Send a message via Skype™ to Apex Virtual Assistance
Default Re: Deposit or No Deposit
I always get a deposit for projects and my retainers like everyone else must be paid in advance. I collect the deposit for security measures. Being a virtual assistant means that you typically don't see your clients and I would hate to start on an assignment and not get paid. At least with a deposit, I'll have something collected for my work in the event that the customer doesn't pay.
__________________
Trena Stubbs of Apex Virtual Solutions
& Author of The Road to Going Virtual
Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Payments by direct deposit? ndlandis Payment Processing 29 10-31-2011 10:10 AM
Does your deposit expire? My Office Zilla Rates and Billing 14 07-16-2008 10:42 AM


All times are GMT -4. The time now is 07:47 AM.

International Virtual Assistants Association
Project Management for Virtual Assistants
Work from Home | Become A Virtual Assistant
Virtual Assistant Directory
Affordable WordPress Themes
Create a Professional New Client Welcome Packet
Virtual Assistant Forums Advertising

© Virtual Assistant Forums 2012
All content and images are protected under copyright law and may not be reproduced in any way without express written consent.