I’ve got a client sitting on a $3,200 invoice for three months. They respond but always seem to have excuses for the payment.
Makes me think there might be other methods I haven’t explored yet. What strategies have you used when clients go quiet on payments?
Show up at their office and wait in the lobby.
Had a guy owe me $800 for fixing his dishwasher. Kept getting runaround for weeks. Just showed up at his office one day and waited. Got paid that afternoon.
Three months is way too long. At this point you need to get firm about it.
Here’s what I’d do:
I had a client drag out a $2,400 payment for months with endless excuses. Soon as I sent that final notice and copied their manager, payment showed up in 5 days.
Sometimes the person you’re dealing with isn’t the one making payment decisions. They might be covering for their own screw up or just hoping you’ll go away.
If the final notice doesn’t work, start charging interest on the outstanding amount. Even if your original contract doesn’t mention it, most places allow reasonable late fees after proper notice.
Don’t let them think this is optional anymore. You’ve been patient enough.
Try calling their accounts payable department directly. Skip whoever you’ve been dealing with since they’re not getting it done.
When you reach accounting, confirm the status of invoice number whatever from three months ago. Don’t ask when they’ll pay; just ask what’s needed to process it.
Sometimes the person you emailed never submitted it for payment. It happened to me twice with different companies.
Had this happen with a $1,800 invoice last year. Client kept saying “next week” for two months.
What worked for me was switching tactics completely. Instead of asking when they’d pay, I offered a payment plan. Broke it into three chunks over 60 days. They agreed immediately.
Turns out they had cash flow issues but were too embarrassed to say it. Got paid in full.
Also tried calling instead of emailing after week one. People dodge emails but usually pick up the phone. Sometimes you hear what’s really going on when you talk directly.
If they keep making excuses after offering flexibility, that tells you everything. At that point they’re just stalling and you know where you stand.
Stop asking when they’ll pay and start telling them what’s going to happen. Send an invoice marked FINAL NOTICE with the original amount plus late fees. Give them exactly 7 days to pay or you’re turning it over to collections. Then actually do it. There are collection agencies that work on commission so it costs you nothing upfront. They keep a percentage but you get something instead of nothing. I used to waste months chasing payments like this. Now I give clients one month max before collections gets involved. Word gets around fast when you stop being the nice guy who waits forever. Also start requiring deposits on future jobs. This client just showed you they can’t be trusted to pay on terms.