Collecting outstanding $$.

I'm a nice guy.

Now this customer's payment ($4-Figures already) has been outstanding for 60days. But I'm a nice guy.

So I'm supposed to meet him later and collect my payment, as we spoke earlier about it. Allow me to remind that I'm a nice guy.

What do you suppose I should do if he somehow tries to delay payment further? I know that I'm a nice guy, but my boss isn't as patient as me, and he is urging me to take legal actions.

And now I'm wondering how to put it in words to this customer of mine, 'cos I'm a nice guy.

Mind sharing your thoughts please?

http://www.vanityfair.com/images/cul...pranos0704.jpg

are you a nice guy?

Hanratty>> Wicked!!

Argonauta>> Hanratty or me?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Googooboyy

I'm a nice guy.
...But I'm a nice guy.
...Allow me to remind that I'm a nice guy.
...I know that I'm a nice guy
...'cos I'm a nice guy.

...thoughts please?

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by argonauta

are you a nice guy?

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"I got a chick pregnant and can't back out of it" or "I just found out that I have a 5 year old son"

Nice image find hanratty21, lol.

If it's a website - take it down. Otherwise annoying persistence also pays off. Our admin lady is an ex-stoner, and doesn't pick up the subtleties of people being annoyed at her. She's relentless - phones every day until they just crack and pay :D

I do signboard prints. My customer did a few signboards and its already installed up on his cafe. Technically, the prints are still mine as he's yet to pay in full. Should I take them down? And burn a bridge by disrupting his business?

Oh, I gotta get one of em ex-stoners then!

This is a boardroom question.

Hence thread moved.

For printwork we have a simple cash on delivery policy. Trustworthy clients we give some time, but until a client has proved themselves trustworthy they pay COD.

Running your own business, or doing freelance work, being the "nice guy" is going to get you burned. Or in general dealing with public. It's ok to be a nice guy. I would consider myself one, but when it comes down to business, you can't mess around with people and their bull****. Everybody is going to try and take advantage of the nice guy. You have to lay down ground rules.

I would suggest possibly easing into legal matters. Start with a nice calm threat. More along the lines of, "If I don't receive the other xx% of the payment, I'll be forced to contact a collections agency." Or even offer some kind of alternative. Ask if they are struggling for money, and see if you can work out some other payment plan that keeps everyone happy.

But when it comes down to it, if they refuse to pay, the best option is to contact a collections agency. They'll hunt him down for you and make him pay.

You do have a contract, right?

Aahh, the boardroom serves its purpose! Pardon my ignorance, and thanks for moving!

Okay, contract? Um, my company is a small group where we work almost like family. We have regular customers who print with us (banners/hoardings/vinyls) and regulars print with us on a trust basis (more like a close friends some of my customers. Oh, new customers are demanded to pay cash upon collection though!). The system has worked fine thus far, and only this customer seems to be delaying payment.

Today (or yesterday?) was another case of meet-up to collect payment but turned out to be further postponement. Thing is, without the contract an external collections agency might have little case against him, but we do keep signed copies of Delivery Orders to acknowledge receipt by our customers.

Thanks for the advise Taco, and the rest, I'll be sure to keep communicating and asking. I do not want to appear threatening, but if I have to then I guess its the last option.

Dont worry about contacts and such right yet. The threat alone of legal action will usually scare the client into action 90% of the time.
You could always try the scapegoat technique of "Hi, we've been waiting for your payment for some time now. Can you give us some sort of estimate of the time before which we will receive our fee? I hate to nag but my boss is pushing me toward legal action and I don't think it needs to come to that! *big smile!*"

sorry for the quick 'high-jack' here..

but Matt, would you please, check in with your OLD life for a moment today....

There is a matter we need to discuss..

Thanks

Quote:

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Originally Posted by MyFriendIsATaco

Running your own business, or doing freelance work, being the "nice guy" is going to get you burned. Or in general dealing with public. It's ok to be a nice guy. I would consider myself one, but when it comes down to business, you can't mess around with people and their bull****. Everybody is going to try and take advantage of the nice guy. You have to lay down ground rules.

I would suggest possibly easing into legal matters. Start with a nice calm threat. More along the lines of, "If I don't receive the other xx% of the payment, I'll be forced to contact a collections agency." Or even offer some kind of alternative. Ask if they are struggling for money, and see if you can work out some other payment plan that keeps everyone happy.

But when it comes down to it, if they refuse to pay, the best option is to contact a collections agency. They'll hunt him down for you and make him pay.

You do have a contract, right?

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:) I've learned from mistakes my man.

Latest Updates: A post-dated cheque is given, after the friendly gesture of letting him know my boss-taking-legal-action-but-me-nice-guy-will-give-1week stance.

A little bit of a development better than none, right?

Thanks a lot for hearing me out. I'd definitely have to recommened a 'contract' kind of system to my boss to 'legalise' future course of actions. Of course I wouldn't want to have the appearance of a bureaucratic corporate vulture~ Now that won't be nice. ; )

well, if there's one thing you'll learn....get a contract with this guy in the future if anything. Maybe not all your clients need a contract, but i guarantee it's less headaches collecting cash from those who sign than don't.

And, in case another client flakes out without a contract, the delivery order should suffice if it needs to go to a collection company. If there's a signature, after they received it, they'd be ordered to pay in court.

It's always just safer to have a contract. Not even for yourself, but for the client as well. They have a piece of paper with your signature that says you will deliver their project within a specified timeframe. Also, you are assured you will be paid in full x amount of days after you deliver, or however you want to set it up.

I believe a contract should be used for just about any situation. I hate to say it, but it's a proven fact that even family members can try to screw you over if you let them. Just watch some Judge Judy! You'll understand.

Unfortunately, in the business world, and in my opinion, it's always just better and easier for all parties involved if everything is down on paper.

One other thing to keep in mind for this specific situation, if you have email logs or IM conversations or whatever related to the project, more than likely it can hold up as a sort of "verbal" agreement in court without an actual written contract. It's not the best evidence, but it can work if it came down to it.