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.

 

[richy3333]

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.

I agree. I was shafted by builders, then when we moved thought I should give the breed a second chance. Good karma and all that. Well karma bit me on the arse as the first 'new' builder i worked for shafted me! My policy is also no builders.

 

[gazj82]

All I can say us good luck to those who require a deposit upfront, payment the day you finish etc etc, I think you'll struggle to build a successfully business. People pay when they want, simple as!
If you're paying your wholesalers over the counter as you collect gear, bigger fools you.... I'll use my credit and pay later.
even my most loyal customers would laugh in my face if I asked for money upfront or immediate payment and to be honest I'd be too embarrassed to!
its a pile of pants, but it's business!

I agree with the above, I don't know what world you guys live in where you get paid up front, or on the day of completion! It just wouldn't wash round here.

I think its a matter of trust, and weighing up your customer before you start, if I don't think I can trust the guy to pay me I walk, although this is not very often.

I also use my wholesalers credit in the same way as vxwestie.

I don't expect to be asked to pay for my van to be serviced when I pick it up at my local garage, and they wouldn't expect me to be paid as I left on a call out either.

 

[vxwestie]

I agree with the above, I don't know what world you guys live in where you get paid up front, or on the day of completion! It just wouldn't wash round here.

I think its a matter of trust, and weighing up your customer before you start, if I don't think I can trust the guy to pay me I walk, although this is not very often.

I also use my wholesalers credit in the same way as vxwestie.

I don't expect to be asked to pay for my van to be serviced when I pick it up at my local garage, and they wouldn't expect me to be paid as I left on a call out either.

At last, someone with some sense.
At the end of the day, it's about trust. If I don't trust them, then I don't work for them.. I always have plenty of customers who I do trust.
Yes, sometimes people do take the pi$$, but believe me, it doesn't get forgotten the next time I write an invoice.
I guess if you HAVE to work for unscrupulous customers then you're quite right in protecting yourselves. Personally, I'm not in that position.

 

[joe.ninety]

At last, someone with some sense.
At the end of the day, it's about trust. If I don't trust them, then I don't work for them.. I always have plenty of customers who I do trust.
Yes, sometimes people do take the pi$$, but believe me, it doesn't get forgotten the next time I write an invoice.
I guess if you HAVE to work for unscrupulous customers then you're quite right in protecting yourselves. Personally, I'm not in that position.

It's quite clear from what you say that your 'business' terms are based on a loyal, regular, large customer base and if it is working for you then far be it from me to tell you differently. Regular customers aside, I don't quite know how you expect to know that a new customer is untrustworthy or unscrupulous?

Personally, if someone takes the 'michael' with me then that's the last time they will see me, there won't be a next time writing them an invoice.
I provide an honest, reasonably priced service, and it's as much about them having a tradesman THEY can trust as it is the other way. It's a two way street and there's plenty out there that are going to rip them a new one. If they don't have the common sense to know that and don't keep me on their side, then they are in for a few salutary lessons. Most likely from Bosnian Bill and his mates.

Cheers