I'm pretty new to the photography business and it seems one day I'll come across a late paying client. It's a small job that costs $300 and the client has been late for almost a month. So, I'm hoping you guys can give me some advice on how to chase down the payment. Proper contracts and invoices are issued, and I've been consistently chasing via email or phone. So what can I do? I thought about approaching the police but I don't think it's correct right?
What to do to make a late client pay up?
- Thread starter ZavierO
- Start date
Its not a Police related matter. Its business.
If drag too long you can go Small Claims Tribunal.
If its not a big amount most people would just wait a bit.
If its a big project, some people will secure a deposit/pre-payment first, with late fees spelled out, contract properly drafted and signed, so that in case of non payment you have the cause to sue. Unless the client company wind up.
Its a B2B or a B2C job ?
If its a direct B2B job will pay lah .
Its a matter of time and procedures .
For example , you finish the job on 21st Sep , deadline for the company Finance invoice submission is 20th of each month so you missed the boat for September .
After sitting around for 01 month , the invoice finally reaches the Finance dept on October 20th .
There is maybe another 2 weeks for processing ( signature of Department Head , Finance Head , President and god knows who )
By den after the delays you would get your cheque in November ...
In essence wait .
As for B2C...
If its a direct B2B job will pay lah .
Its a matter of time and procedures .
For example , you finish the job on 21st Sep , deadline for the company Finance invoice submission is 20th of each month so you missed the boat for September .
After sitting around for 01 month , the invoice finally reaches the Finance dept on October 20th .
There is maybe another 2 weeks for processing ( signature of Department Head , Finance Head , President and god knows who )
By den after the delays you would get your cheque in November ...
In essence wait .
As for B2C...
Ya it's a B2B job. Thanks for the advises, I guess ultimately is to wait and constantly bug them until they pay. It's a case I'm raising because they've missed the promised deadline by quite a significant amount of time. Guess I should've added a late fee clause, didn't think about that as I've never encountered something like this before.
Did your contact person in the company explain what's going on and how long you should expect to wait? E.g., "Your payment will take X weeks to process from receipt of your invoice." While the process does usually take time, the least they can do is explain it to you... there's no reason for you to be kept in the dark.
Sion
Senior Member
All my clients have to pay me before I deliver them the files.
If they are slow in paying me then they'll be slow in getting the files.
Slowest time the clients pay me in memory is 1 week.
For only $300, is it worth your:
1) talent
2) gear investment
3) labor and time
to ultimately achieve:
1) unhappiness
2) being made a fool and shame
3) dischantment from photography
That's why amatuers suffer and suffer bad.
Inexperience is ok - Once bitten, twice shy. Learn to do things properly, charge properly, and move on. Twice bitten, deserved to die.
Many old threads on how to charge. Read advices carefully.
1) talent
2) gear investment
3) labor and time
to ultimately achieve:
1) unhappiness
2) being made a fool and shame
3) dischantment from photography
That's why amatuers suffer and suffer bad.
Inexperience is ok - Once bitten, twice shy. Learn to do things properly, charge properly, and move on. Twice bitten, deserved to die.
Many old threads on how to charge. Read advices carefully.
I would say that even with 'contracts', it is useless unless you enforce it (e.g. take the other party to court).
So wait + keep chasing, there's no real way other than to take the company to court. Sadly some companies love dragging -.-
So wait + keep chasing, there's no real way other than to take the company to court. Sadly some companies love dragging -.-
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