[gwrightson]

can any body advise me ,
i did a job for a new customer a few weeks ago , very pleased with the clean asked
if i would i post her the invoice 
well as it was for a buisness that lets out there own properties, and a promise of more work ,  i agreed , promptly posted said invoice 
nothing recieved or heard for 4 weeks , so i telephoned , asking if they had recieved or had they over looked it in some way  in the most diplomatic way of course!!!. reply was well we always pay when 30 days have past so you will
be recieving shortly  this was nearly 3 weeks ago , still nothing
so what is the best course of action?
would a reminder, be in order and if so, what is the best way of putting it politly
with out been too pushy , bearing in mind possability of more work !!!!!
(actually makes me wonder if im bothered about more work from these)
so help please , has any body else suffered the same situation . im sure you must have
regards geoff

[strakercleaning]

I recently had similar with Mulberry in W1. I had invoiced with a 20% trade discount included. My terms on the rear of all my documents states that payments not recieved within 21 days will forfeit trade discount. Reminded them of this clause and had cheque within 3 days.
Basically i could have added 25% and sent out bill for that amount. Have done this once with KFH Estate Agents, i thought it would be the end of the working relationship but they paid the extra £144.25 with an apology and i have never waited for my payments since.

[Chris R]

Always send out a statement at the end of the month for any outstanding invoices. State on it that payment is now due. If still no payment telephone. If still no payment call around to the office. Always be polite. Some people are just slow payers, winds me up, but its part of being in business,
Cheers

Chris

[Dave_Lee]

I would phone them up and diplomatically say something like " I think you may have overlooked my invioce, I am passing by your place this afternoon. Is it okay if I call in for the cheque/cash then." if they start to stall say "Im passing anyway so Ill call in." Theres nothing like face to face in these circumstances, even if its with someone other than the business owner,
Dave.

[Fintan_Coll]

I agree with you Dave, you will find that if you call in person it usually gets the desired result, do'nt like doing it but sometimes there is no other choice.

[Phil Marlor]

I should'nt worry too much, I work for a letting agency who seem to pay up when they feel like it but as every job is worth over £200 I dont get too heavy with them.

Our industry is 95% pay on the day so a few credit accounts dont hurt.

Send a statement, wait 1 week, follow up with a phone call, tell them its way over due, I am sure you will get your money.

Its nothing compared to normal business practice, when my family ran a Computer business 15 years ago 3-4 months was the norm.with regards to payment and every account was credit payment, eventually we went out of business.

Phil

[Len Gribble]

Geoff

Wait till you until you deal with insurance, banks and Government you wait and wait, one word of advice builder will probably knock you, I now get the owner to pay, then they can sort it out with the builder.

Len

[Londoner]

It can be tricky in the rented property sector because you have the tennant, the landlord and the letting agent all pasing you around from pillar to post.

A while back my mate got a call from a man wanting a full clean on a flat. He turned up did the job asked the nice lady for the money and she said "Oh no, I don't pay, Im just renting the place"
She gave him the name of the letting agent but they didn't know anything about it.
It seems the landlord does it all the time to tradesmen etc and then goes missing when they want paying.

[gwrightson]

tks for all replys ,
think i will send a polite reminder , emphisis on "have you overlooked"
wait a week then call around
tks again geoff

[Big_Fish]

Hi,

State in your terms & conditions that payment should be made upon completion of job unless prior arrangements have been made in which case your payment terms are strictly _ _ days from service date. Failure to pay within the time allowed will result in payment being referred to your debt collection agent where any costs will be added to and payable with the invoice total.

Have used this a few times and also had to refer a couple of clients to the debt collector. Payment is usually immediate!

Good Luck,
BFN

[Len Gribble]

The only thing I would change in BFN reply, I would substitute debt collector with wife.

Len