What to do when contractors..........

[Dbonezny]

DONT pay on time?

I'm trying not to be an ahole with this guy I work with. I'm doing work with/for a cleaning company thats fairly big, pretty high on the ad lists. When I signed on with him, I agreed to a 15day Net. I now have two invoices 30+. The first time he sent me a check, he waited for the invoiced to add up over $700, then sent me a check for 5 jobs instead of 6. Now again, i'm at 6 jobs plus a job I did for him back in Nov. I faxed him all the invoices again and on two of them I put stamps of PAST DUE.

Now, I got this contract through a friend of mine, he's actually the sr accounts manager and he talked to the owner about dumping his carpet cleaner and going with me, because of this.....I don't want to come off as a complete jerk BUT, man. It's costing money now. My friend sent me a text yesterday that said..

"Hey, Eziekel said he's never had a vendor send him an invoice that says PAST DUE and he was like "Man I sent that **** a few days ago" he's all mad"

I mean, maybe if you paid on time it wouldnt happen? Last time the check didn't get here, the issue was them forgetting OR not placing the suite # on the address and when they did, the check took 1day to get to me.

How do you handle this w/o coming off as a prick?

[sharp_shepherd]

First of all the only problem is that most businesses pay on net 30 but other than that you are doing good. I would tweak a few things though. I would put on the back of every single invoice your policies, guarantees, interest charges etc. Change everything that deals with B2B to net 30 so you don't sound pushy. Start charging interest (mentioned on the back of your invoice) starting on day 31 or whatever you decide to to. I charge 18% APR starting on day 31 and on day 61 I suspend the account. I know it may be hard to suspend someone's account until paid in full but you have to get paid for what you do. You work hard and you deserve to get paid. You might want to send a letter to the guy explaining yourself in a friendly way. The thing is alot of these property managers know that carpet cleaners are a dime a dozen and they see you as such. I try not to do business with many of them and when I get a call I from any PM'ers I have them fill out a credit application just to show them i'm serious.

Some of the jobs i do (water damage and crime scene) require payment at the completion of the job and i have them sign a paper stating that before I even begin work. I take a deposit which I have my book keeper verify funds on so that way I know if i'm going to get stuck before I do to much expensive work.

I don't mess around....I need to get paid.

[Rafa-L]

just be honest with the guy.

Sir, I appreciate the opportunity to work for you and especially grateful for the work. I don't want to be misunderstood and lose the opportunity for future work. Is there anyway I can arrange with you for me to pick up payment? I'm really in need of cash since a few things have suddenly come up that I did not forcast nor expect. Again, I appreciate your time and the opportunity. Call me anytime day or night, I'm here for you whether emergency purposes or not, your welcome to call anytime.

My pastor taught me an ole saying long ago..... "Never slap an alligator while your head is in it's mouth"


I know how you feel. I have a commercial account that calls me about 3-4 times of the year as back up for their guy whenever he does not show up or on vacation. The office takes about 60-90 days plus to pay. I hate that since I'm there for them at the drop of a dime whenever they call. Each time they call I increase the invoice a bit more for me being inconvenienced. Hate to do it but if you don't value me after I do the work but only when you're in a pinch, then I simply add $$$ plus on the invoice and have no regrets either way.

I even put on the front invoice in big bold print "3% 15 net 30"
They ignore that and pay the extra. Guess the checker writer and signer don't care. Neither do I whenever I have to wait that long.

[donerightcc]

need to start implementing the fees myself, thanks for the post!