getting PAID: time it takes
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- freshdude
usually, I get a check in a week or so after i send invoices.
for one job, I sent an invoice last month on the 22nd, and they confirmed -
but haven't gotten a check in the mail yet.how long more do I wait to inquire about it?
- Continuity0
In North America, my understanding is that Net 30 Days from Invoice Date are the usual business terms (that's what I remember when I was freelancing in Canada, anyway).
I would say you should start making enquires ten days past that, if you haven't received your cheque yet. If, after 15 days, you still haven't got paid, start sending out Red Ink letters. If that fails to shake anything loose, head for Small Claims Court.
If you're a freelancer, you need to be merciless with delinquent clients, because this is your income and your money to live on.
- zr0
I'd suggest tighter control than that. Instruct your accountant to chase payments from the day after that period expires. he can get away with being less polite about it.
Also 30 days is not mandatory, consider making payment terms part of your initial negotation.
- You're not wrong. Toward the end of my freelancing stint, I would either term Net 15 or on delivery, depending on the client.Continuity
- georgesIII0
60 days here,
lots of payment put in old untill client decide to kindly transfer me my money.first time I ever deal with a 60 day notice and it will be the last time too.
- Ranger0
You should outline it in a contract and also confirm it on your invoice. On my invoices I've got a billed date, a due date and a line saying please pay within XX days.
Smaller clients I say 14 days, usually they pay immediately. Larger companies I usually say 30 days, anything longer and it can become a hassle. Especially if they start forgetting emergency jobs they requested or amends and start questioning stuff done months ago.
It gives you a date when you can phone up and remind them. But also, if it is a bigger job you should split it down and invoice stages of the job, they're not going to withhold payment from the start of a job if you are still working on it.
- maikel0
Ranger has it right. YOU need to tell them when to pay; also you need to write down that they agree to pay X% interest on the outstanding sums to be paid, in case they get delayed.
Most of the time you won't need to enforce this, but if things go wrong you have enough tools to recover your money.
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I must say though that the company I work for delayed FOREVER a payment for a fellow QBN'r that is developing for us. Shame on me!
- freshdude0
hmmm?
- sublocked0
This is why you accept payments online via credit cards.
There's an app for that (http://getcashboard.com)
/shamelessplug
Continue on.
- inkpink0
just send an email; "inv# is 30 days past due" ...all you can do at this point without making yourself look desperate.
90 days is when i get pissy and start making threats, although you still gotta behave somewhat professional.
- meffid0
*cheque
*enquire