RickyM Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Could you update us on your situation? Have you received payment yet or another excuse? It would be good to hear some of the excuses if you would be so kind. You don't have to identify the person, or yourself. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJC1 Posted September 1, 2015 Author Share Posted September 1, 2015 It's getting to the crux because they've requested more work. Essentially on tick They now have to pay what's due before we will even consider doing more work. I will know very soon what's happening in terms of dates. An email is due and a scheduled phone call. The excuses range from Ignoring emails Being evasive like deflecting the question Cash flow Family issues, this was once and I ignored it was so stupid Claiming poverty Send invoices to my accountant Stalling by questioning every item on billing Questioning original agreement We get everything on paper so there is no escape! But a bird in the hand and all that.... There is issues with the business. I don't want any nasty surprises and to find out I win a money claim, but get zilch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RickyM Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 It's getting to the crux because they've requested more work. Essentially on tick They now have to pay what's due before we will even consider doing more work. I will know very soon what's happening in terms of dates. An email is due and a scheduled phone call. The excuses range from Ignoring emails Being evasive like deflecting the question Cash flow Family issues, this was once and I ignored it was so stupid Claiming poverty Send invoices to my accountant Stalling by questioning every item on billing Questioning original agreement We get everything on paper so there is no escape! But a bird in the hand and all that.... There is issues with the business. I don't want any nasty surprises and to find out I win a money claim, but get zilch I see. You are right to withhold a service if you aren't been paid but do you have a contract with them that states when payment should be? It sounds to me (and probably others) that you should walk away when you've got payment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
footietalk Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 Name them and shame them on facebook/twitter. No room in business for people who are irresponsible and won't communicate! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chez2 Posted September 1, 2015 Share Posted September 1, 2015 You don't have to walk away. Obtain payment up front. Excuses we have been given for clients on 30 days net terms: only work part time holiday forgot overlooked cash flow problems someone off sick didn't receive invoice and statement We send all invoices on email so they can't claim they haven't received them. One company used to always have an excuse. They often blamed they company they sub contracted invoicing to. Everyone and their granny had to okay the invoice even though it was given a purchase order and a regular job with an email request for the collection to prove we had been asked to provide the service. We still surcharged them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steveroberts Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 You don't have to walk away. Obtain payment up front. Excuses we have been given for clients on 30 days net terms: only work part time holiday forgot overlooked cash flow problems someone off sick didn't receive invoice and statement I agree with everything you sat Cheryl, but one exception. 'Holiday', 'forgot', 'overlooked', 'someone off sick', 'didn't receive invoice' are normally the excuses given for the underlying problem; cash flow. Cash flow is normally at the heart of the issue. I wish clients would just be honest about it. When we have had difficulties, I have always informed my suppliers before the due date. You normally get a very good reaction to this; it's when you do not know, that causes the grief! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
slordy71 Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 It's getting to the crux because they've requested more work. Essentially on tick They now have to pay what's due before we will even consider doing more work. I will know very soon what's happening in terms of dates. An email is due and a scheduled phone call. The excuses range from Ignoring emails Being evasive like deflecting the question Cash flow Family issues, this was once and I ignored it was so stupid Claiming poverty Send invoices to my accountant Stalling by questioning every item on billing Questioning original agreement We get everything on paper so there is no escape! But a bird in the hand and all that.... There is issues with the business. I don't want any nasty surprises and to find out I win a money claim, but get zilch sounds like they are using you as cheap borrowing, is the debt more than £750? if so issue a stat demand if that has no result then you probably will never get paid, in future a payment up front initially i learnt that lesson the hard way a few years ago, good luck Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJC1 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 made headway this morning. following a demand I was paid some of the due invoices with a promise on remaining overdue Invoices in 1 week. All other due dates (in future) they claim are uneffected and will be adhered to. Its all on paper. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:21 ---------- sounds like they are using you as cheap borrowing, is the debt more than £750? if so issue a stat demand if that has no result then you probably will never get paid, in future a payment up front initially i learnt that lesson the hard way a few years ago, good luck Yes mate, its more. Too much just to 'write off'. I dont doubt that. Its not a nice feeling to be taken for a ride, ive learnt lessons. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:25 ---------- I agree with everything you sat Cheryl, but one exception. 'Holiday', 'forgot', 'overlooked', 'someone off sick', 'didn't receive invoice' are normally the excuses given for the underlying problem; cash flow. Cash flow is normally at the heart of the issue. I wish clients would just be honest about it. When we have had difficulties, I have always informed my suppliers before the due date. You normally get a very good reaction to this; it's when you do not know, that causes the grief! Thats the bit i dislike about all this...its hard to build a relationship if a client is not negotiating, misses dates and keeps quiet. I guess its embarassing to admit cash flow problems. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:25 ---------- Name them and shame them on facebook/twitter. No room in business for people who are irresponsible and won't communicate! I wont be doing that. Its unprofessional. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:27 ---------- You don't have to walk away. Obtain payment up front. Excuses we have been given for clients on 30 days net terms: only work part time holiday forgot overlooked cash flow problems someone off sick didn't receive invoice and statement We send all invoices on email so they can't claim they haven't received them. One company used to always have an excuse. They often blamed they company they sub contracted invoicing to. Everyone and their granny had to okay the invoice even though it was given a purchase order and a regular job with an email request for the collection to prove we had been asked to provide the service. We still surcharged them. Insanely good advice here. we will become much tougher on surcharging. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tinfoilhat Posted September 2, 2015 Share Posted September 2, 2015 made headway this morning. following a demand I was paid some of the due invoices with a promise on remaining overdue Invoices in 1 week. All other due dates (in future) they claim are uneffected and will be adhered to. Its all on paper. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:21 ---------- Yes mate, its more. Too much just to 'write off'. I dont doubt that. Its not a nice feeling to be taken for a ride, ive learnt lessons. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:25 ---------- Thats the bit i dislike about all this...its hard to build a relationship if a client is not negotiating, misses dates and keeps quiet. I guess its embarassing to admit cash flow problems. ---------- Post added 02-09-2015 at 11:25 ---------- I wont be doing that. Its unprofessional. Well if it's on paper it must be true! Get the money up front for the next job. If they really want it they'll pay for it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TJC1 Posted September 2, 2015 Author Share Posted September 2, 2015 Well if it's on paper it must be true! Get the money up front for the next job. If they really want it they'll pay for it. Its some fallback...going by this clients sketchy record I am not 100% confident. Thanks for the tip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now