Getting payment from a client

[teniworks]

I was wondering if anyone knew of any other threads or had any advice as to how I can get money from my client. It's another case of being taken advantage of out of school. I had a client that want me and another person to do some work for them. After we did the work, the client was supposed to pay us (this is in March of this year). Now it is September and I still haven't been paid. I have contacted the client several times and they always promise a check by the end of the week. The other person that I worked with got their check only after threatening legal action. I'm not the best when it comes to being assertive about money. So how can I tell this client that I will not put up with "you'll get your check by week's end" and I want my money now. Do I have to threaten with legal action? We did have a contract but, it's not the best in the world. Although it does break down the hourly rate and items created. I don't want to sound like the crazy person who says that they are going to "slap someone in the face" if I don't get my money but, I'm so pissed about this now that I don't know what else to do.

[GraphixNPrint]

Simple, do a little homework on the person/company, get all the info you can from online sources;

local tax office for property records
business license records online etc...

then do what I do; example:

Dear Sirs,

After repeated billings with no response, we have electronically submitted the above referenced account for collections. Our collection agency has completed a preliminary background identifier investigation to ensure collection information is reported correctly to the 3 major Credit Reporting Agencies. The following information was derived from this investigation:

Owner or Principle of Business : Robert W. REMOVED - Sole Proprietor
Licensure issued to Business: 100XXXX.355 - Clark County Nevada Licensed ExXXXXXXator, Exp. 07/31/2007 1480 - Nevada Department of Agriculture Business ID 20XXX5 - Nevada Department of Agriculture Licensed Commercial Applicator ID

Owner or Principle Address Match : The Mail Depot, REMOVED Pest Control, XXXX Industrial Rd., Las Vegas, NV 89109
REMOVED Pest Control, PO BOX 2XXXX, Las Vegas, NV 89126-XXXX
LASTNAME, Robert X., 7XXX AbXXXXlle Dr., Las Vegas, NV 89119-XXXX

Party Contracting Work: LXXXXce AleXXXXer GXXXX

Positive SS# Match All Parties: Yes

If you feel any of this information is in error, please notify us at once. Collection and reporting will commence on February 27, 2007 unless payment in full has been made. The current amount due is $560.00. Please note that if the account is placed with our collection agency, your account will be subject to additional collection fee's.

Failure to settle this account prior to collection reporting will result in negative credit information supplied to the following Credit Reporting Agencies:

Equifax
Trans-Union
Experian

Our agencies investigation noted a registration or membership of the business with the Better Business Bureau of Southern Nevada. If collection commences, it is the practice of our collection agency to file an electronic notice with the Bureau regarding this matter.

We sincerely appreciate our clients business, and we prefer to avoid collection activities. It is our position that we have serviced your account in good faith. Please take the time to settle this matter immediately.

Sincerely,


Excuse the formatting, I copied and pasted from our accounting software. I did XXX out certain things and used REMOVED in certain area's. You have the general idea from this, and it worked, had a phone call the day he got this, and a check in the mail the day after.

[DC1]

The better advice is to get a deposit. If they won't put up a deposit, don't expect to get paid.

Prior to this, build value. Make sure you're explaining what you bring to the table before you submit a bill. Many designers (too many) set up the client to balk when the bill comes.

Establish late penalties and fees for late payment. And, it's not too obvious to mention you get a signed contract establishing all this.

Finally, start reading up on what they should have taught you in School:

12 Breeds Of Client and how to Deal With Them (http://freelanceswitch.com/clients/12-breeds-of-client-and-how-to-work-with-them/)

When to fire your client (http://www.creativebehavior.com/index.php?PID=138)? Little hint: Clients who don't pay and don't respect what you bring to the table aren't clients. I make further destinctions between consumers and customers. Consumers know the price of everthing and the value of nothing. Consumers have little or no ability to judge if something is 'good' other than getting a product or service for the lowest price.

Customers have bothered to educate themselves about the value of design and make decisions based on criterion other than price. Customers aren't price insensitive by any means, but know what things cost and why.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Personally I never give a client a file of any value until I have been paid in full. At this point I would just threaten legal action, or use Graphix method, which I must say I like.

[chalsema]

Personally I never give a client a file of any value until I have been paid in full.
Ditto... except for certain circumstances or clients with a history of on-time payment.

[Logo-Mechanix]

Exactly, and local clients as well. I know where they park their cars.