Client invoice reminders?
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- doggydoggdog
Why do I always feel like a client thinks I'm short on cash when I send a reminder about overdue invoices?
How long is best to wait after time period listed?
- reanimate0
Maybe because you are short on cash? The client knows, man.
- sine0
penalties for paying late?
- doesnotexist0
do you outline payment schedule in your agreement? and also penalties?
so when a date to pay approaches i just send an invoice. no reminders really.
- detritus0
I just had to write the following, which is more than a little annoying as it's for a stupid-small invoice and I went out of my way to help the subject...
”[SUBJECT], I'm afraid the impression I have now is that you're simply avoiding paying this invoice. It is now over 6 weeks overdue, which exceeds the legal right you have to pay an invoice within 30 days.
I am now able to take legal action should you continue to defer — obviously I'd rather not bother going down that route as it's tiresome and expensive for all concerned.
Please get in contact to confirm that you have read this and to let me know when you will be paying this outstanding amount”.
- passive agressive, imo. i would pick up the phone and call them.doesnotexist
- Of course it's passive aggressive - can't come out all aggressive, can I? And his phone number's off...detritus
- ...I'm very much direct, ut this guy's fobbed mye off with what I can only assume is a sob story, but perhaps not, hence passivity.detritus
- the passivity.detritus
- I def wouldn't send that.fyoucher1
- if you have to send something like that you'll never get paid anyways.doesnotexist
- *shrug* whatever, I've never not been paid in the past, and as a pre-lawyer letter, it's quite forgiving, I'd say.detritus
- I say it's fine, and it's honest. Other companies have no shame in asking for money that is owed them.monospaced
- formed0
Just be straight up. Interest accumulates at 30+ days at the max rate allowable by law (which can be high, I forget the actual language).
Reminders every 30 days or so. I only resend invoices/statements for long outstanding debt.
I've never charged interest, though, but it is there should some client be a real pain. Never been worth haggling for a few bucks - if they pay, then it is good, but having it there so they are aware they can't just go on vacation is a good fall back.
All invoices are "due upon receipt". No one really pays attention to that, but I have had a few clients that wait a month if you don't have that on the invoices.
I'd never send the above letter, I prefer a much nicer route. Never had a client that just wouldn't pay without a good reason. Reminders are enough, imho. The exception would be if you are talking directly to an accounting dept, in which case I'd be more firm (they seem to respond better to 'terms and conditions', etc.).
- that was my third reminder, and frankly I don't care to keep his custom.detritus
- Julesvm0
use an invoicing / bookkeeping service: fresh-books, solo or harvest etc.
they send auto reminders to your clients at pre-set intervals from the time you invoice. I have it set at 30 days, 45, 60, 75 and 90. Also has the added benefit of not having to remember / do it yourself.It's less personal if it says that it's an automatic reminder. Doesn't come off as needy and gets the job done. I've only had one client get past 90 and they were never going to pay me anyways... it happens.
- e-wo0
Invoice for 30 days
Auto-reminders every 7 days after that period (Harvest)
Phone calls at 45 and 60 days
Legal action at 90 days
- detritus0
Hey look at that — I got paid and got an apology.
- Yeah, but you probably won't get any more work. Wish I got paid in 6 weeks.fyoucher1
- As I said, I don't want any more work from them!detritus
- That might sound arrogant - as I said, i helped them a lot and they lied to me for weeks, about a piffling amount. Fuckit.detritus
- as i said, I said I said. as i said, I said I said. as i said, I said I said. as i said, I said I said. as i said, I said I said. as i said, I said I said. as i said, I said I said.detritus
- ohhhhhsnap0
zencash.com (worth it if + 2K total)