Small Business | Forum « Quandary>>> Take back a client that did not pay in the past

Quandary>>> Take back a client that did not pay in the past (6 posts)

Topic tags: business practice, contract, former client

Sherry said
1 year, 4 months ago:
A former client has shown up, wanting my services. Should I accept his business after a signed contract? He says he will pay this time.
@ursa | # | Top
Jules Webb said
1 year, 4 months ago:
If your comfortable working with him then accept on the condition that he pays in advance.
@juleswebb | # | Top
Joan Muschamp (Fagnani) said
1 year, 4 months ago:
I agree with @juleswebb – get some sort of retainer and bill against it. He needs to regain credit worthiness with you, and you need to minimize risk.
Remember, this is business- you can preface it nicely, and be reasonable about the size of the upfront payment (half of your estimate, perhaps). But I would make sure you are paid before you turn over any deliverables.
@joanmuschampfagnani | # | Top
Caroline Chen-Whatley said
1 year, 4 months ago:
Does he still have outstanding payment he hasn’t paid you yet? I would request that as well. Did you create an invoice for it and have recorded proof that you billed him previously?
@carolinechen-whatley | # | Top
Cal Evans said
1 year, 4 months ago:
@ursa
Personally, I’d only do it if I needed the money. Life is too short to deal with customers who don’t respect you. If you are comfortable with your existing customers then I’d politely decline.
IMHO, etc.=C=
@calevans | # | Top
Dexter Eugenio said
1 year, 4 months ago:
i would take them back, but:
* either get paid before any work is done
* have their CC on hand to deduct the money on the spot (just after the job is done)
* or shorten the terms of the invoice (from 14 to 7 or whatever).
ive done this in the past with a couple of clients. sometime theyre lazy, sometimes their situ sucks, sometimes theyre just idiots. but were all human
so give em a chance, but make sure you get paid first!
@dextereugenio | # | Top