The Customers Always Right ...
Thursday January 17th 2007, 01:30 am
... A right pain in the ass!
I hate listening to people complain as most of the time there is a simple solution to what they are complaining about, and it frustrates me to know they either cant see it or they dont want to. Some people just like to play the victim. But today, I feel the need to rant, I'll let you judge if its justified or not! Brace yourselves!
I've been in full time employment for the last six years but I've still always done a few freelance jobs here and there to earn a little extra money and to keep my portfolio up to date. In those six years I've never once had a problem with payment from clients, invoices have always been paid within a few weeks. Recently thats changed. I won't name the two companies that are causing me the biggest headaches, well, not just yet! ;)
Combined they owe me just over £8,500, one invoice in November and three in mid December. Both are still trying to book time for me to work on other projects for them in February.
I've decided from now on to ask for deposits upfront and purchase orders, also somebody was telling me that there is a UK based company that pays you and invoices your clients for you, anyone heard of this or have any other advice to offer?
Okay, rant over, I feel like I'll at least be able to sleep now.
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Showing 13 out of (13) Comments
Posted by liz, at 20:07 on Sat, Apr 26th
I have worked in retail for many years. As sad as it is, the saying "The customer is always right" is a valid saying. I didnt realize how true it is until I opened my own store. There are some customers that are not right, for sure....but you can never let them know!
Posted by 1 Million in 365 Days, at 00:37 on Wed, Feb 13th
I've had my share of problems with partners that don't live up to their end of the deal.
Those companies do exist all over the world and I guess Factoring is what they do or what they are called! I don't know any specific names but Google does!:)
Posted by ATV Style, at 02:14 on Tue, Feb 12th
No, rant not over! I didn't get a chance to speak up yet, hehe.
It astounds me that people STILL judge others by their work position in life and not by the person they are. I graduated college, worked my dream job for a decade and continued taking college credit courses at night long after graduating. Learning is life long. My bosses had no clue of how deep the fires ran in me - until I became their bosses, lol.
Don't judge lest ye be judged!
Posted by black.pixie, at 17:54 on Sun, Jan 27th
Oh, I SO understand where you're coming from. I had 2 clients who owed me a combined total of over £800. It's nowhere near what you're owed but I understand the frustration nonetheless. They need some proper ass-kicking. I really hope they pay up soon. Good luck.
Posted by Inspiring Quotations, at 16:41 on Thu, Jan 24th
I\'ll bet those 2 companies that owe you £8500 are big firms. These people know that you don\'t want to lose their custom and take advantage of smaller firms doing work for their own benefit of an improved cash-flow. The best solution is to bite your tongue and try to build up enough capital so that you can absorb their late payments, while at the same time regularly invoicing them. I have heard of a service which offers financial assistance in these situations but can\'t remember who it is.
Posted by Toni, at 11:27 on Thu, Jan 24th
Yes, I am starting a new policy of asking for 50% upfront from clients I've worked for before and 25% from new clients. Also I won't hand over fla files until the final payment has been made.
Posted by Holly, at 14:31 on Sun, Jan 20th
I think with most service based business you should require a deposit. Something that as been has stressed to me over and over again as an interior design student is People will use you. So make sure they pay you first.
Hopefully it will work out and you will get paid.
Posted by Natasha, at 21:38 on Sat, Jan 19th
Yeah, that is one of the drawbacks of freelancing. I agree with David W. that having bases covered in a contract is very important. A similar incident happened to me a few years ago and I was so frustrated that I took a hiatus from designing and went to farm for a few weeks... Can you imagine, a graphic design farmer? Anyhow, I have since gotten back to my senses, and won't start any for fee project without a 1/3 payment upfront.
As for the invoicing service you mentioned in your post, I think it's called Invoice Factoring. I did a Google search and the following are the top 2 UK companies in the search results. I'm not affiliated with them, so I can't say which company is the best. I just thought I'd try to help. Good luck.
Lloyds TSB Commercial Finance Limited
RBS Invoice Finance
Posted by David Weisman, at 02:56 on Sat, Jan 19th
It doesn't sound like that invoicing company does much for you - assuming you already send invoices.
Posted by Joe Tech, at 17:47 on Thu, Jan 17th
As a business owner, I've always been pretty relaxed in business and didn't have any real problems starting out. With growth came more clients and problems like this came up, forcing me to harden my rules on payment, deliverables, etc. The best thing you can do is make sure every base is covered in a contract and that contract is signed and in your hands before beginning the project. Then, take payment in either halves or thirds (depending on the size). Some of my projects are in the $50k range, so I don't lift a finger until at least 1/3rd is secured.
Posted by Drew, at 03:38 on Thu, Jan 17th
I have not heard of that company but I too do not like listening to people complain. The worst for me is when you go into a store and hear the employees complaining, as a customer that really turns me off. What is worse is when I am in line at the airport and the flight is delayed and the person in front or behind me starts complaining and then looks to me to see if I will commiserate with thing. Sorry no, got better things to do.
But it does suck that you have done work and are being stiffed on the bill. I hope you get paid.
Posted by Contamination, at 03:25 on Thu, Jan 17th
It's difficult when being self employed to pressure clients into paying their bills. Here in Japan there are many people offering private lessons to students, but I often hear complaints like the student didn't feel like coming so the teacher doesn't get paid etc..
It makes me appreciate:
1. Paid employment
2. Systems that require payment upfront.
@James, I would hope she has done so!
Posted by James @ Total Web Review, at 01:32 on Thu, Jan 17th
That can be the problem with running your own business. As a small business owner you sometimes don't have the resources to counteract when someone doesn't pay us. Have you confronted your clients and requested payment for services? Maybe, hopefully, it is an oversight.
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