getting paid.

[Rick b]

How many of you guys struggle to get paid too?
It seems no matter how much I help or do a good job I still get very bad payers.
What do you do to combat it?
I've been a spark for 17 years and still can't get a grip on this.

 

[telectrix]

make sure your payment terms are made clear before you start.

 

[oldtimer]

Must be a culture thing my customers pay just after job complete and the letting agents I work with it 4 weeks

 

[Rick b]

Terms are very clear on bottom of invoice.
A waste of ink sometimes.
I don't mind also waiting 30 days if its been agreed before hand.
It's very disheartening. Especially when they say how pleased they are with the job once I'm done.

 

[oldtimer]

Just to add 60% of my work is letting agents 2-4 weeks 30% Joe Public paid within a day or 2 10% private landlord 1 week

 

[danzor]

Never had a problem, I've had some clients chase me for my bank details. I've never really had a bad customer, just builders can be a pain now and again

 

[Rick b]

Maybe I'm just unlucky. Which I know I am. I seem to get a few bad payers.
I'm currently working my --- off with no benefit!!
I need to save for my playstation 4!!!!!

 

[ayjay]

it may depend on the quality of your work?
i suppose i,m going to get lynched now

 

[richy3333]

The Scots are just more honest

 

[Welchyboy]

Maybe I'm just unlucky. Which I know I am. I seem to get a few bad payers.
I'm currently working my --- off with no benefit!!
I need to save for my playstation 4!!!!!

What type of work are you doing and who are your customers?

 

[Rick b]

It's def not the quality of work. I have never had one complaint about that.
My work is varied. The current out standings are a new build house and eicr of a hotel.
But also little stuff like installation of two double sockets.
I generally get paid eventually but it takes me to the edge of desperation then I get paid.
I want to be paid at least within a week of completion. It's all quoted so its not like the bills a surprise!

 

[MDJ]

when you give a fixed price quotation for the Job you need to insert conditions within that written quotation. If you want to be paid a week after completion then you need to add that your terms are 7 days from date of invoice after customer satisfaction of completion of works. a day or 2 after you have finished the job you should phone them up and ask if they are 100% happy with the works carried out. If they are then suggest the invoice is on the way and thank them for the work, if not then sort out why. However IMHO 7 days is a short period of time and you may end up losing work with these strict times, I allow 2 weeks for domestic customers and 28 days for Industry, JMO.

 

[Guitarist]

I tell prospective customers at the start that anything over £500 will require 30% up-front to cover materials, with further 30% after first-fix (if there is any) and balance at the end of the job. I always insist on cash or a cheque before I leave the site unless it's a regular who sometimes pay later that day online. What I don't do is work for contractors of any kind.

 

[LlandrilloSpark]

I had an customer this Xmas just gone who owed me £1700, I finished the job, he was pleased, he had the invoice in his hand, his chequebook and pen were on the kitchen table yet he said " ill pull the cheque in the post", 2 weeks later I got it........infuriating

 

[Guitarist]

I had an customer this Xmas just gone who owed me £1700, I finished the job, he was pleased, he had the invoice in his hand, his chequebook and pen were on the kitchen table yet he said " ill pull the cheque in the post", 2 weeks later I got it........infuriating

And you said "I'd like it now please".

Imagine if he offered to send a cheque to the cashier in a petrol station. They'd call the police.

The only time someone did ask if they could send a cheque, I told them that they'd have to tell my kids why we couldn't go shopping that week. We British can be really weird when it comes to money.