We have this on our invoices, estimates, etc. "2% monthly interest after 30 days - 24% Annual rate. Minimum $2.00 monthly charge." And what do YOU do when they pay late but then send you the check for just the total, no interest?
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on July 27, 2011 09:52 AM:
Hiya Jane,
Here is a link to my full "terms and conditions"...
Knock on wood, I never had a problem with late payments - yet.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on July 27, 2011 10:21 AM:
Dang!! That's a lot of reading! I just want a sentence or two on the bottom of my invoices. I like: "Any amount or balance due by Buyer to Seller which remains unpaid on or after seven (7) days of Seller’s demand are subject to a late payment fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) plus accrued interest. A statement fee of thirty-five dollars ($35) will be applied every month to all outstanding balances."
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on July 27, 2011 12:15 PM:
Since I rarely have any late payers, but more double payers, I never bother with it. I had a Benz store last year go 120 days on me, which amazed me. I sent them statements and eventually got my money. Then they called and wanted something else. I then charged them an extra couple hundred for the job and picked up the check upon delivery. For me, it is easier to just remember someone owes me dough than to add some legaleze at the bottom of my statements. It always ends up making me more this way. Keep It Simple!
...Now for the double payers? I get a few every year. I send back the check to the owner and remind them that there is a problem. It always gets a serious thank you back and cements my reputation with the owner as being straight dealing. That is well worth the fraud and guilt of cashing his errant double payment. Honesty is its own reward!
Posted by John Arnott (Member # 215) on July 27, 2011 06:31 PM:
I'm with Preston........well said
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on July 28, 2011 06:11 AM:
as hard as it is to get a little money in I would hate the thought of asking for a couple more bucks!
I don't have many non payers or stragglers, usually I repo the sign and that sparks payment. This year has been the worse of non payers. A large construction firm $12k and the military (of all things)$10k
The firm finally paid. I will NEVER do anything for them again, now working on the military. Someone screwed up the contract
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on July 28, 2011 09:50 AM:
Ya Jane, it is a lot to consume. Fortunately, I rarely have to use it.
However, when entering into a contract with construction firms and other traditionally slow payers, it's best to have all your "i"s dotted and your "t"s crossed should something go wrong.
Bruce, is your military project a base name change? After being notified of the award as a subcontractor nearly 2 months ago, I've been stuck waiting for an approval on a minor "change order". I don't mind waiting though because I'm sitting on a hefty deposit check.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on July 28, 2011 12:54 PM:
Nobody pays the late fees, but they become part of any collection if you take action through either a collection agency or small claims court.
So a sentence as Jane is planning is cheap insurance.
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on July 29, 2011 05:31 AM:
checkers no, it was some HDU sheilds. I was contacted because another signcompnay started them but went bankrupt. I came in finished the job along with install and now they are "confused" as to how the contract should be written up even though the other company was not paid and now they are dissolved.
The military and us govt is so "by the book" they havn't even common sense to figure out simple solutions for anything. After serval SEVERAL failed attempts to contact anyone I actually was able to get on base for another install and "pop in" on the contracting office loaded with emails and other vital stuff. They were more concerned about who gave me clearance for the font gate then helping me. We finally hashed out solution. It took me getting in front of them with loaded guns and got o who I needed, i wasnt leaving till I got results.
Lesson of all this? NEVER NEVER do a "favor" for an existing military contact until i have a contract in writing in front of me,I don't care how much they beg. I did them a favor and they turned their backs on me after the deed was done to keep from getting into trouble
Posted by Checkers (Member # 63) on July 29, 2011 09:42 AM:
Wow Bruce, that's really bad, but not surprising though.
Unfortunately, that's exactly why my contract above is so wordy. And, regardless of what is said, I (almost) always have everything reduced to writing and signed by the client before starting the work.
I'm glad to hear it worked out for you though.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on July 29, 2011 02:38 PM:
Late payers?
Not here!
Being a big guy helps when I walk in and say, kinda loud, "Where is my damn check"?
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on July 29, 2011 02:59 PM:
Checkers, honestly, if someone handed me that 3 page document of your terms for a basic sign job, I'd walk out and go somewhere else. I know the days of operating on a handshake are gone, but your terms look like you can't wait to sue. I can see using it for major sign jobs, like tens of thousands, but not for everyday stuff.
Just sayin'
Posted by Lynda Yoder (Member # 7340) on July 31, 2011 10:07 AM:
Hi Jane...just a little story...we went to court on a job...their lawyer called the "service charges" usery & the judge dismissed that amount, around 50.00, but awarded us the rest of the amount.
