[Andy Hogarth]

I've just been reading some online articles about billing and have a few (more ) Questions for you all.

1] Do you expect the customer to pay directly after the job or do you offer a credit/billing system.

2] If you expect payment after the job is complete is the customer already aware of this and if so how did you make it known to them.

3] What would be your course of action if the customer wanted to pay at a later date, ie do you go round to collect funds or send an invoice/bill

4] How do you expect customers to pay, Most, I think will pay by cash/cheque but does anybody have the means to take card payments ie switch or visa or online banking

Thanks Everyone

Andy

[andy roberts]

Andy,

I think it all depends on which area of the country and how wider area you cover & how well you know your customers. We always give a written quote prior to works which clearly states our terms which are 14 days from invoice date afterwhich interest charges will be added. Most companies will only pay on presentation of an invoice and after a period of time, usually longer than you would wish, thats why I always allow for this predicted wait by adding more to the quote.

My domestic customers 9/10 usually pay me a cheque or cash after the job is completed, but they still require an invoice to be presented and a receipt for obvious reasons. Unless I doubt my customers ability to pay when estimating, I will usually send an invoice & not expect payment straight away. This also gives me the oppurtunity to include further advertising material, discount vouchers etc  if needed.

Like I said everywhere is different. I live on an affluent Island with many wealthy people, so payment isn't normally a problem. I don't know about your area, you may need to ask for payment on completion and ensure the custy understands this when estimating. Still produce an invoice along with business card etc, it looks professional.

Unless your a big company, excepting credit cards is in  my view is an overhead too far. You have to pay a monthly fee for the machine plus a % of money going through the machine if I can remember rightly.

Regards,  Andy 

[BRSL]

Im similar to Andy

on comercial work they always expect to be invoiced which isnt a problem so invoice with a clear pay period displayed usualy 30 days

On domestics the custy always expects to pay straight after and we always pre survey with payment conditions also displayed, usualy get a cheque, ive had two bounce lately but have got anouther payment soon after, I dont like getting cash as usualy dont carry change so makes it akward some times if they want change, but a simple answer to that though isnt there but the missis nicks it when im not looking and puts it in the change pot 

James

[Andy Hogarth]

Cheers guys, very usefull.

lol I know about the missus nicking the change, and notes and cards.....etc........etc

What happens when a cheque bounces and/if the customer refuses to pay. Do they sign anything to say that they owe X amount and is this before or after the job?? Ever had a non payer???

I suppose they could turn around and ask for the money back guarentee 

Andy

[BRSL]

never had a non payer, but when we get a bounced cheque a polite leter is sent out with a 14 day pay period and threat of a £10 charge for extra corispondance never had to take it further 

James

[craigp]

i never had a cheque bounce in nearly 4 years been going, touch wood.,

had custy recently who worked for bank dealing with credit card gizzmos, said it worked with a mobile phone link cost; £29 per month rental (for this gadget) then £2.40 every payment!!!

fast tracker near us takes credit cards!!

way to much! cant see why he does it, free to pay in cheque.