Just went through this whole certified mail process for the first time with a client who’s been dodging payments for two months.
Sent it through regular USPS certified mail since my invoicing software doesn’t handle this automatically. Had to print everything, fill out forms at the post office, pay extra fees.
Wondering how others handle this step when clients go completely silent on payments.
I use online certified mail services instead of going to the post office. Just upload your documents, pay the fee, and they take care of tracking.
This method is much better than repeatedly calling clients. The green certified slip gets their attention.
I just ask for payment upfront now honestly.
If they don’t pay after a couple of tries, I cut ties. No point in wasting time.
Did this twice last year. Sent the invoice copy with a short letter: “Final notice - pay within 15 days.”
Timing matters. Don’t send certified mail Fridays or before holidays - clients hate dealing with payments when they’re wrapping up the week.
The signature requirement freaks people out. One client called in two days asking what the certified letter was about. Their bookkeeper had quit and invoices were just sitting there.
Cost me $8 each time but saved weeks of email ping-pong. Way better than wondering if they even got your regular mail.
Certified mail works, but I follow up with a final demand letter. Give them 10 days to pay before filing a lien or hitting small claims court. Spell out exactly what happens if they don’t pay. Most people cough up the money once they realize you’re serious. Plus the certified mail proves you gave proper notice if things go south.
Been there with the post office routine. What a pain.
I keep detailed records through this whole mess:
This stuff’s crucial if you need to escalate. Clients get responsive real quick once they see you’re documenting everything.
Mentioning the certified mail in a follow-up email works too. “Certified notice delivered on [date], tracking [number].”
Usually moves things within a week.