Struggling to get payment from a client.

[waynelang2001]

I finally got the job finished how he wants it, It not the way I normally do things but to each there own. He told me to email him the invoice and he will make payment, so we will just have to wait and see what happens next.

 

[Alan m]

did you invoice them for the extra work and extra costs incored

 

[Tinker]

did you invoice them for the extra work and extra costs incored

I think, at this point, it's grab the money and run.  That is if the money does show up.
Tinker

 

[waynelang2001]

did you invoice them for the extra work and extra costs incored

I think, at this point, it's grab the money and run.  That is if the money does show up.
Tinker

Tinker is right, I dont see the point in starting another agrument when Im so close to the end. His wife has actually asked me to do some more work there, but Im not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it was a fairly dramatic job but on the other hand work is work.....If I could just deal with his wife i wouldnt mind.

 

[builderbob]

did you invoice them for the extra work and extra costs incored

I think, at this point, it's grab the money and run.  That is if the money does show up.
Tinker

Tinker is right, I dont see the point in starting another agrument when Im so close to the end. His wife has actually asked me to do some more work there, but Im not sure how I feel about it. On one hand it was a fairly dramatic job but on the other hand work is work.....If I could just deal with his wife i wouldnt mind.

I do agree that work is work, as long as you're getting paid and the process isn't causing you physical duress. I say you wait to see what happens with this invoice and if you decide to pursue other projects with them, be very upfront that you would like "x" upfront to prevent issues like this again. I find that everybody is in such a hurry to get the work but very lax to pay at the end. I try to leave as little as possible at the end so if I get burned, it's as minimal as possible. As long as your contracts are specific and keep you safe, that covers your butt in court, but all litigation takes time and you don't want to be held out on large sums of money through dragged out court processes.

Also, when I am on a project and am confronted with extras, I make them sign and pay the extra up front...something to consider. This allows me to not lose track of a trail of numbers at the end of the project!

Just my .02!

I look forward to hearing how this resolves for you!

Bob

 

[Kevin D.]

Well, if recording isn't allowed, you may consider visiting your customer with someone else, who then will be able to act as a witness of what the customer said.
Write down a summary as soon as you leave and have the someone else sign it before details are forgotten.

I would avoid making this clear to the customer of course, just saying this person is some sort of apprentice you are training.

One point to consider: In many countries, relatives aren't the best persons to use as witnesses, better check how it is in your location.

I had a car accident years ago whereby the lady who hit me was lying thru her teeth about what she did that caused the accident.  While I had a client in the car with me at the time, the police officer indicated that they do not count as witnesses as they are still not considered a truly "disinterested third party" as they were a passenger in your vehicle.  Fortunately for me, the physical evidence and tire marks were sufficient to convince the cop to hand her the ticket and not me.  My insurance company also did not find me at fault either.

 

[GPowers]

[popcorn]

 

[Michael E.]

Some customers are just looking for a fight out of the gate, but my advice is that this whole job sounded like one big headach, if your health isn't good do yourself a favor and give up nasty clients for the new year.

 

[Tinker]

Waynelang2001, Did you finally get paid?
Tinker

 

[waynelang2001]

Waynelang2001, Did you finally get paid?
Tinker

I emailed him the invoice and he said he would pay....still waiting..

 

[harry_]

Wayne,

Sorry that you are still waiting to get paid now that the job has been completed.

Since the time that you posted that the job was done I cannot help but wonder, given the hassles experienced up to that point, why did you not have a prepared invoice in your pocket to hand him when he finally said "good enough"? It seems to me that you have essentially set yourself up for yet even more delays and excuses by not having a prepared invoice in hand to demand payment with at time of completion.

Just my [2cents]

 

[woodguy7]

Good point Harry, I have done this in the past & informed the customer in advance that i would be finished that day & would be taking the invoice with me.  I did walk away with a cheque.

 

[waynelang2001]

Wayne,

Sorry that you are still waiting to get paid now that the job has been completed.

Since the time that you posted that the job was done I cannot help but wonder, given the hassles experienced up to that point, why did you not have a prepared invoice in your pocket to hand him when he finally said "good enough"? It seems to me that you have essentially set yourself up for yet even more delays and excuses by not having a prepared invoice in hand to demand payment with at time of completion.

Just my [2cents]

Just about a month ago I handed then the final invoice when I finished what I had to, Last week when I " finished " for the second time i gave his wife a second invoice and when I was leaving I told him I gave his wife the invoice but he asked me to email it to him. So that makes three final invoices I have given them over the past month. I think that should pretty much cover the invoice side of things.....

 

[woodguy7]

He's totally jerking you around !  I think my temper would have snapped a while ago  [mad]

 

[Tinker]

One more time.  You need to get a good lawyer.
You'd be surprised how much more relaxed you can be when sitting back as an observer while he does your arguing.

I don't know how it is where you are, but around here, we have a time limit within which to start any legal proceedings.
Your time limit would be starting as of Jan 3.  You should check on that.
Tinker

 

[Wood_Junkie]

Just about a month ago I handed then the final invoice when I finished what I had to, Last week when I " finished " for the second time i gave his wife a second invoice and when I was leaving I told him I gave his wife the invoice but he asked me to email it to him. So that makes three final invoices I have given them over the past month. I think that should pretty much cover the invoice side of things.....

It sounds like they're a tag team of BS'ing delay tactics.  Literally my stomach is churning and my heart is pounding I'm so mad at these people.

Here's what I would suggest:
Write up a "new" invoice with all work completed to date.  But, don't change any amounts, just the invoice date (to whenever the final date was when you most recently worked there).  Therefore it accurately reflects the work and the completion date.

Use this as an opportunity to go to their house to hand deliver the "corrected invoice". This gives you a legitimate reason to be there (vs. harassment) and you are there in person in the flesh for them to try to BS.  Do not accept any stupid answer or request or excuse or anything unless there is a check being handed over for payment in full.  It takes 3 freaking minutes to find the checkbook and write a check.  There is no excuse whatsoever.  Do not leave until you are paid!!!!  Accept the fact these people are not *clients* anymore (seriously, would you work for them again??), rather they are debtors.

In fact, let's add some overt artillery to the operation.
Hopefully you have done some research into the laws and processes of liens, etc over there.  You should bring those forms with you as well, partly filled out.  If it becomes exceedingly clear that they're still trying to screw you, pull out THOSE forms and say something like, "Alright, I just need to confirm some information then" and make sure they see that you're filling out and signing the lien forms, etc and tell them in no uncertain terms that you are filing the lien THAT SAME DAY.  And follow through.  And get a lawyer.

Good luck Wayne!

 

[mastercabman]

One more time.  You need to get a good lawyer.

Depending on how much he owes him,is it really worth it?

I had a job(long time ago)that i never got paid for.Someone suggested to talk to a lawyer,but his fees was almost double what i was supposed to get.

 

[harry_]

One more time.  You need to get a good lawyer.

Depending on how much he owes him,is it really worth it?

I had a job(long time ago)that i never got paid for.Someone suggested to talk to a lawyer,but his fees was almost double what i was supposed to get.

It might not apply to Wayne, but in most US jurisdictions you are entitled to recover those as well.

 

[woodguy7]

Send him an email saying you are coming over at 9am to collect your cheque.  Don't ask, just say you are coming to collect it.

I had a customer that was very late in paying, I sent him a text to say I would pop in at 6.30pm to pick up my cheque.  I went to the door at 6.30 looking for a fight, he just handed me a cheque & apologised for being late.

 

[Alan m]

Send him an email saying you are coming over at 9am to collect your cheque.  Don't ask, just say you are coming to collect it.

I had a customer that was very late in paying, I sent him a text to say I would pop in at 6.30pm to pick up my cheque.  I went to the door at 6.30 looking for a fight, he just handed me a cheque & apologised for being late.

i think in your casae it was probaly a normal situation where he hadnt got around to it ,didnt have it,ilness etcetc .
they were not trying to avoid not paying. if he didnt want to pay you he woulnt have answered the door.
wayne is sick of asking for his money.
maybe you just strike fear into him. he must be scared of you