Appreciation post: A client's offhand comment about his own business changed how I chase payments

I was at a coffee shop in Tacoma last month, meeting a client who was 60 days late on a $2,500 invoice. Instead of getting mad, I just asked how his cash flow was. He sighed and said, 'Honestly, I pay my plumber the same day he finishes because I know he'll drop everything if I have another leak.' That hit me. I realized my own payment terms were vague and I wasn't showing my value clearly. Now I list exactly what happens after a project ends on my invoices, like file access and support. Has anyone else found that being more open about your process gets you paid faster?

3 comments

3 Comments

jamesc7918d ago

Sounds a bit over the top for a late payment chat.

derek_ross18d ago

Wait, you just let a $2,500 late payment slide for a coffee chat?

ivan46218d ago

Ever think about the time cost? A coffee chat is maybe an hour, plus travel. If that $2500 is tied up for another month, you're losing the chance to use it. Jamesc79 is right it sounds like a lot, but maybe the real payment was getting that client to finally answer their phone. Some people only move when you're face to face.