Thanks for all of your advice. I just hate being told one thing and then that it is not what happens.
I'll get it in writing next time. Thanks again for letting me vent.
[ August 23, 2002, 09:39 PM: Message edited by: coop ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Are they a large company? Don't most larger companies pay on 30 day cycles? I'm not sure I'd be concerned after 2 weeks.
It's the small businesses and new businesses I'd be most cautious about. Maybe I'm dead wrong. Who are they, what kind of business do they do exactly, have you ever done business before with them? How long have they been in business? Large or small outfit?
Anybody have any thoughts on this? I [almost]got screwed once on an upstart pizza place owned by a couple of brothers. Now that one should have been half up front and half when done.
I only got a "good" check after I barged into the store and started yelling at the owner in front of the customers and telling them I was on my way to small claims court unless they paid me NOW!
It worked...but wasn't a pleasant experience.
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
I do work for a very large construction company and it is 60 days. Most are at least 30 that I have experience with, I usually charge (between 15-25%) for the inconvenience. They go through quite a few sign shops not used to working this way and then wanting thier money. What did your contract say? Rick
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Owed since 08/05/02? A little early to go public with this isn't it?
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
Just curious, because some folks type dates differently. Is that the 8th of May 2002, or the 5th of August 2002???
In Canada, at least for myself, I use day/month/year.
In that case it would be over 3.5 months.
Posted by coop (Member # 504) on :
OK ,
Long and short of it, I have a "faxed" copy of a check dated Aug. 05, 2002. Which is exactly what was agreed upon.
As of today, I have yet to see the actual check. Now, you may go ahead and do work for these folks, but do not be surprised when they fall short of paying as promised.
Just facts, I have all paperwork to back it up.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Coop....I agree with Senor Chavez. Most construction companies are 60 days...you get paid when they get thier next "draw"! If some part of the work gets delayed, so does their next check. When the project is finished (that is usualy the sign installation) they get their final draw...but not until the "punch list" (items to be corrected) is cleared!
When working with contractors, that is a fact of life.Kind of like a big pipe....shove an invoice in one end, and the check from the last job falls out the other end!
When working with contractors, quality is important, BUT, more important is FINISHING ON TIME!!! Cost isn't all that high on their list, if they can count on you meeting their schedule, so, liks Rick says, charge extra!
Posted by Karen Stein (Member # 241) on :
Coop...do you have an actual signed fax copy of a check from them? if so, take it to the bank. A check doesn't have to be written on anything special as long as it has the account #, amount, payee and signature.
Karen (oh yeah..Hi! )
Posted by Jeff Bailey (Member # 1975) on :
Coop, don't completely panic yet. It's common for some corporations to process checks through their payables dept. , then hold them for release until an assigned date. We've had to adapt to this when collecting from sign supply companies that distribut our products. If it goes past 30 days, then definitly start taking some action.
Good luck.
Posted by Dave Grundy (Member # 103) on :
OK David..I guess you answered my question..it was a thing about the 5th of August this year...that's about 2.5 weeks.
No big deal as far as I am concerned. Maybe you have been burned before?
I look at it this way..If I wanna play with the "Big Boys", and charge the "Big Bux"...I will have to wait for the money. Plain and simple..That is the way business is conducted...THEY wait to pay me...and that is why I have an account with my supplier..they wait for me to pay them. In the event that there is a problem I can also access my line of credit.
NOW..of course, you have to know the client you are dealing with in the first place to know if they are going to be good to pay. I recently "forgot" to reply to a request for a quote on a multiple store package because I happened to mention it to a friend who then advised me that I might not get paid...HATE doing work and NOT getting paid!!!! Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Light a stagecoach on fire and as you are going towards his business, jump from the seat to unhitch the horses and let the stagecoach burn his business down, then ride into the sunset!
Posted by AdrienneMorgan (Member # 1046) on :
I wouldn't panic..I've done work for lots of big companies...you have to be patient, it's just the way these things go.
You might try calling the company headquarters and ask for the accounts payable dept.
Be very sweet (I know you can do this) and ask nicely if it has been processed yet and when it might go out...tell them your kids have the flu and it would be just so wonderful of them to expidite that check out today.
Youd'e be surprised how a little personal contact and sweet demeanor can do when dealing with big companies.
Sure wish we had a dollar tree out here, spent $225 bucks tonight at WalMart getting stuff for my new place!!
Take a break, have a cookie...it will be there soon.
A:)
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
hey coop,
don't worry about it. i understand the frustrations, especially if someone has promised payment within a certain time frame and it does not come to fruition. (a client's word is their bond.)
accounts receivables can be hell sometimes.
make a phone call and remind them of their obligation.
mark
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
big companies have been known to make an expedited payment in exchange for a measly .5 % discount off the invoice. That seems like too small a discount, but for companies doing over a million dollars worth of work it can add up. I got Shell Oil to put me on the2 week list instead of 8 weeks this way.
Posted by John Thompson (Member # 2750) on :
Hey Coop, if you think that is slow, do some work for the government. It took my brother-in-law and his uncle over a year to get their money one time for a multi million dollar job they did at a naval base. Talk about being left out to dry. Stuff like that will put you out of business. Posted by david drane (Member # 507) on :
We have found that since we installed credit card facilities we have never looked back. Sure we are missing out on a few cashies but there is absolutely no excuses for payment to be delayed, and we make this clear from the very start. Even if it means getting a credit card # and then if we are not paid upon the agreed time then we put the card straight through the machinery. Works for us!!
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