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Update: I used to think being nice about late payments was the only way
I was chasing a $1,200 invoice from a client in Austin for over two months, sending gentle reminders. Then my friend Sarah, who runs a small agency, told me point blank at her office, 'You're not a bank, you're a business. Stop asking and start telling.' The next email I sent had a clear late fee policy and a payment link, and I got paid in 48 hours. Has anyone else had a moment where a friend's blunt advice finally got you to change your invoice process?
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casey2684d ago
Why not just add that late fee from the very first invoice?
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luna2614d ago
Seems a bit harsh for a first time late payment.
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wesley6394d ago
Yeah, but you have to give people a chance to learn the system. A first late payment is often a simple mistake, like they missed the email. I agree with luna261 that hitting them with a fee right away feels like a trap. I send a clear reminder first, and my policy says the fee starts on the second late notice. It sets a fair tone but still protects you if it becomes a habit.
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