Working with this client for a while now, and while they always pay, it’s always 30 days late.
Honestly, I’ve learned to accept it as part of the deal. Their work is valuable, but it does make me wonder if anyone else has just gotten used to such delays with reliable clients.
Makes sense why you stick with them if their work’s solid. But 30 days late? You’re basically giving them a free loan. I’d switch to net 15 terms. If they are still late, you’ll at least hit your original timeline.
I just bake the delay into my timeline and cash flow. Client needs work done by June 1st? I tell them payment’s due April 15th, knowing they’ll actually pay May 15th. Works every time.
Reliable clients are rare. Better to work around their quirks than lose steady income.
Had a client exactly like this. Always 30 days late but never missed a payment. Drove me crazy for months.
Here’s what worked: I started invoicing 30 days before I actually needed the money. Need payment by March 15th? Invoice February 15th. They’d pay “late” right when I needed it.
I also bumped my rates about 5% to cover the planning hassle.
Some clients just work this way. If the work’s good and you like working with them, it’s easier to adapt than fight it.
You’re basically subsidizing their cash flow at this point. I get sticking with good clients, but here’s what I’d do:
If they’re solid otherwise, make their lateness work for you. Negotiate a small rate bump to cover the hassle. Don’t eat the cost of their crappy payment habits just because the work’s good.
I just factor late payments into my pricing from the start. Makes it less annoying when they’re predictable about it.