Freelance -- Getting Paid
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- dMullins
It was bound to happen at some point. I have a client who is a really nice guy. On one hand, I'd like to maybe work with him in the future. On the other hand, I am sick of waiting for him to get his act together. We signed an initial project agreement, he paid a deposit, I did a bunch of work, and now there has been no action on his part for about 40 days. Below is part of my signed agreement with him. Do I send a bill for the full amount, or what? He and I have tried to get together numerous times the last two weeks, but it hasn't happened because of him. I understand it's the holidays, but this project was started 10/5/2010:
PAYMENT TERMS
One half of this estimate, or [ $___________________________ ], is owed in advance of any work to be created; and one half upon final delivery is owed in the amount of [ $___________________________ ].• If any phase of the project is delayed by the CLIENT for longer than thirty (30) days, we will bill for the balance amount due and consider the project completed.
• Please note that the fee for re-opening a closed project is an additional 15% of the total project price.
- orrinward0
Get in touch with him and be stern but not disrespectful.
Explain that he owes you money and that he contractually owes you money and ask when you will be receiving it.
If he is a friend and wants to work with you in future, he will turn around and pay you. If he is avoiding paying you then you should re-evaluate your desire to work with him in the future.
- e_pill0
if you both have busy schedules but still try to make an effort in meeting to discuss the project, then i wouldnt jump the hurdle and just send him a complete bill.
it seems he isnt the type that is just not paying, as he is in touch with you to make it happen.. it is holiday time so that may be it, but dont hurt your work flow or work load by pushing the topic, just advise with email that payment is due and continue working. and advise that you need payment to continue working..
- dMullins0
Here's the email I was thinking of sending:
"Stan, I wanted to gauge whether or not you are truly interested in working together ongoing for your project. We started this project over two months ago (10/5/2010), and I have tried to re-connect several times. I have numerous other clients that I am juggling at the moment, and I was hoping to have our call on Sunday as agreed via email previously.
I think you and your wife are really great people, I love your business and the ideas behind it, and I hope you don't take this email in the wrong way. But, part of our signed initial agreement states that after 30 days of inaction by the client party, I will typically bill for the amount due and close the project down so I can focus my efforts on other work in the pipeline.
Please let me know if this is well-received. Remember, my intent here is to get this moving along productively. I am only interested in closing the project down as a last resort.
Thanks for your time."
- dMullins0
It's a branding exercise. I did phase one of explorations, fonts, etc.,, sent them over and have not been able to get time with them again since. We've not been able to meet face-to-face, and he blew off (intentionally or otherwise) a phone call we were supposed to have this past Sunday.
For me, it's more about getting this out of sight, out of mind if he is not serious. I don't have time to waste, especially not on small projects like this (under $1,000).
- e_pill0
remember if you send that email to close it with "i put my pussy on a pedestal"
- tasook0
Do you own a baseball bat?
- jteore0
Sounds like he has already wrapped up the job no?
Rule #1 about this industry: Never rely on someones payment to be on time in the world of freelance.
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Continue to make arrangements to meet up, stressing to him to make sure it is out of the way before everyone is out on Holiday in the next few weeks. Remind him it is vital to nail down an exact time and date because you have a schedule to keep as well.
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If he fails to pay you before Christmas, send him a friendly email, remind him what is due, and inform him that non-payment will result in you not working with him in the future.
If he is serious, he will calm your worried head.
- d_rek0
Typically I am all for a diplomatic approach, which you've handled well. But i think business and diplomacy don't often mix well. Diplomacy is about compromise. Business is about money.
Just be clear and firm. I don't think you need to mention anything about his wife and their ideas and how great it could be to work on this and that.
Just reiterate the specifics of your arrangement, the obligations he has made to you financially and the consequences of him not paying you. You don't have to be a dick about it but be firm, clear and resolute.
- dMullins0
Thanks, Derek. Good call, as always. I stripped out the happy-sappy BS. I think this is what I will send:
"Stan, I wanted to gauge whether or not you are still interested in working together ongoing for your project. We started this project over two months ago (10/5/2010), and I have tried to re-connect several times since submitting my original logo explorations on 10/18/2010. I have numerous other clients that I am juggling at the moment, and I was hoping to have our call on Sunday as agreed via email last week.
Part of our signed initial agreement states that after 30 days of inaction by the client party, I will typically bill for the amount due and close the project down so I can focus my efforts on other work in the pipeline.
Please let me know if this is well-received. Remember, my intent here is to get this moving along productively. I am only interested in closing the project down as a last resort.
Thanks for your time."
- dMullins0
Fine print is your friend. And best of all, I made this part very clear to them during our initial meetings.
- jetSkii0
Hire a bounty hunter to retrieve the money from your client who will work off commission from the retrieved finances. You can also instate that if the client does not have the money or the client will not give any money, then the bounty hunter may use force if necessary. You then collect 1) what the bounty hunter can collect of equal to less value ie: electronics, jewelry, etc. and/or 2) pay per damage ie: $500 for a broken nose, $1000 for a broken arm.
- vaxorcist0
knife, car tires, you know....
Yes... that mindset is tempting.....
But I'd just write a weekly 1 sentance email from now on with this client.... and spend the rest of your time seeking out better clients, qualifying prospects well before agreeing to actual work in the future.... almost all freelancers go through this painful phase....
- jetSkii0
...it sucks but you too can just accept the fact that you're a "sucker" that got screwed and couldn't do anything but bitch and complain about it for years to come.
my suggestion is that if you let these people walk all over you now, they'll keep on doing it, giving no hope for other designers.
- gramme0
I think the latest version of your email sounds good.
In related news, I spent three months trying to get in touch with a client about re-engineering our retainer agreement. My workload from them is more or less doubling, and I basically got to the point of telling them (in a nice way) that new contract = work gets done. No contract = who are you going to hire to fulfill the work I can't handle?
That got their attention.
- scrap_paper0
I think the other telling sign is the price tag associated with this project. It is unfortunate but my experience has always been that when I take on projects on the cheap I end up dealing with unprofessional and unethical people that end up being more painful and costing ME more then otherwise.
At < $1000 this guy could be anywhere from not interested anymore to trying to finish the project on his own to passing it off to his sisters nephews adopted monkey to do.
Unfortunately money talks. Don't charge anything less then 5k for a branding/identity project. Even that is on the cheap considering the money that companies pour into their branding. Both initial campaign and brand support afterwards.
Be as diplomatic as you can to finish this off but then be prepared to walk. Then buy this book http://www.amazon.com/Graphic-Ar…