My 0% cc rate is running out before...

[anna7602]

I get the big check a client owes me. I can pay off the whole balance this month anyway, but I was supposed to have been paid in July. I am really annoyed that this client still hasn't paid me and is now basically taking an interest-free loan from me with MY money.

Every time I inquire about my payment, I get an email saying they're researching it with the HR department. Just pay me, people! I don't send an email to my creditors telling them I'm researching things until I can get them the money they're owed!

[pamela]

What does your contract with them say? I'd consider adding to future contracts a penalty for not paying within a fixed period of time.

[dexteroni]

Oct 8, 2012 7:11:34 GMT -5 pamela said:

What does your contract with them say? I'd consider adding to future contracts a penalty for not paying within a fixed period of time.

Definitely. 30 days and then 2% penalty, and 2% more after the next 30, and then legal action will be taken (or whatever terms you're comfortable with). What are your current terms?

[anna7602]

Oct 8, 2012 7:36:34 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Oct 8, 2012 7:11:34 GMT -5 pamela said:

What does your contract with them say? I'd consider adding to future contracts a penalty for not paying within a fixed period of time.

Definitely. 30 days and then 2% penalty, and 2% more after the next 30, and then legal action will be taken (or whatever terms you're comfortable with). What are your current terms?

Nothing like this. I need to do this going forward, as well as write in "rush fees" as part of my standard contracts (for another client who has a tendency to get things to me super late and still wants me to deliver on the original timeline). Although I suspect trying to do this will cause clients like the current one to push back and not want to sign.

So effing annoying.

[dexteroni]

Oct 8, 2012 10:28:42 GMT -5 anna7602 said:

Oct 8, 2012 7:36:34 GMT -5 dexteroni said:

Definitely. 30 days and then 2% penalty, and 2% more after the next 30, and then legal action will be taken (or whatever terms you're comfortable with). What are your current terms?

Nothing like this. I need to do this going forward, as well as write in "rush fees" as part of my standard contracts (for another client who has a tendency to get things to me super late and still wants me to deliver on the original timeline). Although I suspect trying to do this will cause clients like the current one to push back and not want to sign.

So effing annoying.

Yeah, lay out a rough timeline - "Work will be delivered two weeks after client submits information to (whatever your title is). Work requested in less than two weeks will be subjected to a rush fee of $X."

Do you have issues with them asking for changes? That's a common complaint of freelancers. This would also be the time to add something about that too. "Price quoted includes one revision. Additional revisions will be charged at the standard hourly rate."

It can be hard to change terms on existing clients, but if they're costing you money, it's worth it. If they walk, you'll find others, and they'll be used to your terms from the start.