I had a client let me down last summer. It happens and goes with the territory. It’s why I have a cancellation policy. Anyway, this client had booked two weeks a month for the whole year, which is pretty big considering that most of my clientèle work to a few weeks out. Still, that’s what they wanted. Then about April time, they realised that they had over committed and pulled the plug. I reminded them that I had a cancellation policy and would be charging for those days that fell within its remit. They reinstated the work. Okay, fine.
In July, they pulled the plug again. This time they meant it. So I issued an invoice for the days that were cancelled at short notice. That invoice remains unpaid. Not a huge deal as I am sufficiently busy that the gaps in my diary filled up again.
This morning I received a text advising me that this company is planning lots of work in my area and need trainers and assessors. They were aware things didn’t work out too well last time, but stopped short of apologising…
But, of course, this time will be different.
Yeah, right.
The question really is not will I trust them again, for I won’t, obviously. It’s do I just ignore the approach, do I remind them of the outstanding invoice or do I go all out and advise them just which orifice they can insert their overture…
I’ll probably be diplomatic and ignore it, though the other options do tempt me.
In these circumstances, my conditions state 110% up front and the balance on completion..
Well, I did consider a massive price hike and see what they said…
Another vote for charging in advance. After the previous invoice, along with additional interest/fine, has been paid.
The flaw being, that they have destroyed the trust between us, so I no longer want to work with them.
Feign interest until you get paid the previous invoice (+extras) then…?
Possibly.
Although, to be fair, I really don’t want anything to do with them any more.
Make them pay the invoice plus an upfront fee for the next block of work.You don’t have to like or trust people to work with them, you just have to get paid. Or someone else will.
True, but I have enough work to be able to be fussy. I work in an environment where there are relatively few of us, so it’s a seller’s market. Let someone else do it. Let them get messed about.
I walked away from some work about eighteen months ago because the relationship with the client in question was likely to damage my reputation. My industry relies heavily on trust and reputation.
That’s a good position to be in. In that case, tell them to shove it 🙂
Who writes the contract, you or them?
When I was (I.T.) contracting through agencies up until about 5 years ago, the contract to work for a client was between the agency and my Ltd and was written by the agency. Following a short period out of work, I was offered something by an agency who had previously proven untrustworthy (50% markup which they lied about and ruined the end-client relationship and were nearly 2 months late paying). They didn’t shaft me as such, which would have been a total deal breaker on any future work.
I went ahead but insisted they add a late payment penalty clause into the contract, which they went along with because it looks really insignificant and petty when written down. For every day late, a penalty of £0.01 was charged, which doubled every subsequent day (so 1p the first day, 2p the second (running total 3p)).
They were two months late again and refused point blank to honour the contract they had written and make the penalty payments (work this out using a spreadsheet).
I never got it, before you ask, and they are no longer trading.
It depends on the client. However, I insist that my clause is built in, regardless.
Remind them that there is an unpaid invoice and that you are unable to commit to any future work until it is paid and ask for at least 50% up front deposit for the next work they from you. You might even ask for payment in advance?
That’s the professional way to handle it. Been there myself. I feel for you!
Go legal . Small claims court. That’ll teach the bastards.
I say have nothing to do with them and write off the unpaid invoice as bad debt. Sometimes one just has to cut all ties.
That is my preferred option.