payment contract?
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- qruise
im trying to do some more online freelance work with bigger clients and farther away.. so less "security" than local peeps. im new to this.. assuming me and the client agree on a form of payment (check/paypal) how should i go about making it formal? should i fax a contract over and make them sign it and fax it back? i dont have a fax machine, haha. other ways to do this? just lookin for some help. do you ever ask for down payments, sorta?
- blaw0
re: no fax machine.
there are plenty of free 'fax via email' services available.
http://www.efax.com/
http://faxzero.com/etc.
- OSFA0
ALWAYS ASK FOR DEPOSIT!
- ********0
NO FAX SIGNATURES
In the industrialized nations I know (US, UK, France, Italy) A faxed signature is not a legally binding signature.
I usually use a fax to confirm the intention – but always have them mail the signed contract.
also, I agree with OSFA, always a deposit, and always use a full contract with cancellation fees, rights, etc.
Check the AIGA for examples, or the GAG in the states.
- qruise0
you mean force them to do a direct deposit? also im curious if u ask for your total fee at the end, or if say, theyve approved of a mockup or proof, do you ask for some money at that point before continuing further?
- ********0
No, not direct deposit – just a deposit.
for example:
30% of fee upon commencement
30% of fee upon deciding on a creative/conceptual direction
30% of fee upon completion
Another way is 50% upon commencement, 50% upon completion.
Overall, have a good read of the Graphic Arts Guild Pricing and Ethical Guidelines book – its a great resource for getting started with these things
- OSFA0
I would say,
30%deposit
30% upon deciding on a creative/conceptual direction
and 40% at delivery.Also, one thing I can suggest is write a contract including cancellation fees and changes before and after delivery. Cancellation fees might be calculated based on the stage of the project. Once finished and delivered, it should be 100%, half way, about 60%, etc...(i hope I make sense)
Oh and one more thing, the deposit, make it *non-refundable.
- qruise0
so i can basically just e-fax someone my contract, and tell them they have to sign it and mail it back to me physically, and that i wont produce work until i recieve it?
- qruise0
^ ?
- willhaven0
have them siging it and Fed e it back to you, with a check for 30% of job to start it rolling. If they balk at that - they probably are not a seriously client and wont pay anyway.
-Also make it a Non -refundable retainer payment clause.
Be sure to include a cancellation feeand depending on the job type, make sure you state that no original Flash FLA files are to be given over unless previously specified or priced accordingly. I've had clients ask for them at the end , and I tell them its industry secrets. "You wouldnt give me what makes you special would you against your competition?"
- didn't think so
- version30
phone conversation and pdf invoicing has worked for years for me. work for people you trust
- ********0
sorry, 30, 30, 40...
Thanks OSFA, I was wiriting a bit quickly ;)