When to ask for pay from the client?

[bertbaby]

Payment percentages vary but get some upfront, then set milestones and the appropriate payment schedule. Never leave more than 25% due at completion.

 

[peerless2acme]

you can easily send a payment request or invoice through paypal. There is an option to remind as well.

I agree with you mate but certain things are easier said than done. I know some people whom I kept sending invoice repeatedly for a month but they were too shameless to reply and finally I had to quit. This happens to people who are new in this industry. There is a prominent member, having 130 iTraders on DP. I approached him for asking him to avail my writing services. He said since you have low iTraders so I won't be able to pay upfront. i agreed going by his iTraders and reputation on the forum. I did 7 articles 500 words each within 48 hrs, which was his TAT. Thereafter, I sent the articles for his review. He did not reply for a week. I sent a mail on 7th day to find out what the problem was.

His reply was rather rude and shocked me to a great extent. I must quote him " You are an unprofessional writer who is worth for nothing. I won't pay you anything for those articles because they are crap, do whatever you want". I felt so helpless at that point of time, and I must admit that those were my initial days and getting cheated by a prominent member saddens you. And mind you I still have those articles saved in my desktop. But I have learnt from my mistakes, so I try helping out newbies in this industry because there was a time when even I was a newbie.

 

[peerless2acme]

It's industry standard to charge 50% up front and 50% upon completion and before handing over the goods.

In the case of doing work on BHW, I'd probably want 100% upfront. LOL

Mate,

Its easier for you because you have already built reputation over the years but for newbies its becomes really tough to win the confidence of the buyer because there is always an element of doubt on both the ends. There needs to be something which brings trust and faith among both buyer and seller, which ensures hassle free trade. Even after completing more than 6 months some members are not willing to pay me upfront. It does not bother me though because there are thousands of other awesome members on this great forum who are good and helping in nature.

 

[artizhay]

Stop making excuses and refuting everyone's suggestions. You came with a question and they gave you their answers. Get payment upfront, and if someone doesn't want to comply, then move on.

 

[johndea]

Stop making excuses and refuting everyone's suggestions. You came with a question and they gave you their answers. Get payment upfront, and if someone doesn't want to comply, then move on.

True.

Other another option if you're bashful about getting payment upfront is to say that you get preferred to pay through odesk or vworker.

That way, a new customer HAS to put the money in escrow, and you can get a moderator to review the job if there is a dispute.

Also, if you want to get rep, maybe do a lot of SMALL jobs for trusted members, so they can vouch for you.

 

[ಠ_ಠL7]

He is right, a site like fiverr would save you the trouble. Also their built in feedback system would help promote you if you do a good job, helping you get new orders faster, because the ubiased trust of the feedback system of a third party is a very powerfull selling point.

Hmm,

Interesting delimma. That is one of the nice things about using one of the online sites that put buyers and sellers together.

The buyer puts the money into escrow account to be paid to the seller of services upon completion and satisfaction.

In your situation, I would write up a bill, and send it to them via email. Follow up every week until he pays. If you want to build a legal case you must give 30 day notice of complaint sent registered mail, then after 30 days, give 10 days notice of default, then after 10 days give 3 days notice of estoppel. Then file a civil case against him. If you are outside his state of residence, file in federal district court. If inside his state file in state court. If outside the country, not sure, maybe international court.

If he does not pay find out where he hangs out on the net by searching for his handle. Many people use the same handle everywhere. You can make life miserable for him if he does not pay.

DW

P.S.: Registered mails get to be expensive. But they are necessary for court.

 

[Ruger]

You should ask for payment upfront, just like a dentist or lawyer.

 

[ProRankTracker]

Since, I began writing for various clients across the world, one thing which kept haunting me time and again, was when to ask the client for the payment. For instance, if I wrote a project and it was decided that I would be paid instantly after the completion of the project but the client failed to pay for the next two days, then when is the right time to ask for the payment.

There are some clients who take it personally and react very rudely in case you are asking them to pay. Then, there are others who starting thinking that you are needy or you are pissing them. What to do? I am muddled whenever I come across such clients.

It's hard to answer that, depend on the client, but for sure you shoudn't start new projects with them until you get payed for the previous ones (unless they are your clients for a long time).

 

[peerless2acme]

It's hard to answer that, depend on the client, but for sure you shoudn't start new projects with them until you get payed for the previous ones (unless they are your clients for a long time).

Thanks mate. You got it right. It varies from person to person. Some pay up front while others aren't interested in doing so. Its our responsibility to be a bit cautious.

 

[Paranoid Android]

i'd take payments in advance, in in parts, like you deliver 10 articles and they pay for that before you start work on the next 10 and so on

 

[CPAchick]

I've been a service provider and I've bought a ton of services.

Usually as a service provider I ask for 50% up front and the rest on completion. No one ever had a problem with that.

As a buyer I 99% pay the full amount up front. I've never bought a service on BHW or anywhere else where the seller said let me do the work and then pay me. A few times, hiring on my own away from a forum the person will work first and i pay on completion.

I would say though start with 100% up front first, then if they won't go for that and you really want the work, then ask for 50% up front and the rest on completion.

NEVER be afraid to ask for what you're worth. You need to get over that block in your mind that's holding you back. People can smell it and the unscrupulous will take advantage of you if you let them.

"You're in business now son, man up!!" Said the father to the son!

 

[SahL]

Take Money before starting the work in article writing or SEO.