Had a client tell me 'the check is in the mail' 4 times before I changed my payment terms

Last year I was doing some web work for a small boutique in Austin. Nice people but every month it was the same story. First time I let it slide. Second time I called. Third time I emailed. Fourth time I showed up at their shop and the owner looked me dead in the eye and said 'oh yeah I keep meaning to drop that in the mail.' That's when I switched to 50% upfront and the rest due on delivery. Has anyone else had to physically go pick up a check before?

2 comments

2 Comments

ross.kim5d ago

I have been there SO many times and it is EXHAUSTING. Clients will smile and say "it's in the mail" when they know damn well it's sitting in a drawer. Having to physically go collect money feels like being a debt collector instead of a creative professional. You really start to see who respects your time and who just sees you as a vendor they can string along. The 50% upfront rule is the ONLY way to keep your sanity, honestly. Good for you for making that change before you got burned any worse.

henryr455d ago

Wait, do you really think clients owe you better just because you showed up in person?