I've been emailing these people about an invoice for some construction staking that I billed on 10/25/10. Here is their response this morning:
Hi Mr. Gardner,
Since Diane is out today, I will try to answer your question. I’m very sorry, we don’t have the money to pay you at the moment; although, we are working on trying to get some money to pay you. As soon as I know we have the money, I will give you a call and cut you a check.
Again, I’m terribly sorry about the delay.
I'll have to give them one for "Honesty"and at least a reply.
Yeah, I've been bugging another client that I billed for a topo on 9/29 and the weasel won't even reply.
Funny you posted this
I had a client that had a "sure" deal go bad.
Long story short, in my opinion, he got screwed by our wonderful government.
He told me that it might take awhile to get paid, but if I worked with him, He would do the best he could.
In the mail today, I got a check that has now paid the bill in full.
It took him 5 months, but I got a little bit at a time, one time I got a 20 dollar bill in the mail and a note that it was all he had to spare.
I kept that $20 in my desk and just got through sending him a christmas card with that same $20 in it with a note that I appreciated his efforts.
He was a man of his word and that is special in my book.
Randy
Funny you posted this
i just wrote off the last $200 of a bill for a client that owed $1000. they were trying to split off a portion of their lot to sale and never could make it happen. they sent $50-75 or so a month for 2 years. but they were consistent and sent a nice little note with each payment. i appreciate things like that.
on another note ~ i have cleaned my books of about $5k in bad debt this year. little stuff that was not worth tracking down on its own but the total pained me to let go. $200 and $400 there adds up after a couple of rough years.
being broke sucks. being tired sucks. i'll be damned if i am going to be both at the same time.
I've had good luck with receivables, no problems business wise...
Now the dead beat client that I evicted last year was sued, successfully, and I am receiving $100/month direct debit from his account and deposited into mine... He owes about $6,500 currently...