Had a major deadbeat (90+ days) e-mail asking whether I take credit card payments. Never have, but she said if I did she'd pay today. So I set up a Paypal account and got my money. Though like a check it's not actually available to me for a couple days while it clears her bank.
It's not free (.029% + 30 cents per transaction) so it's much less than the filing fee and the value of my time to frig with Small Claims Court.
I should add that the client included a nice note praising us for the great job we did.
good for you! I switched to accepting cards and have not looked back. I use "square" and can take them right over any of our smart phones or enter the data.
I know it costs a bit of the money, but if I don't have to spend the time and effort to mail out bills at all, let alone past due letters and wait for my money, it's well worth it.
ALSO, it's great for filtering just those sort of dead beat clients out in the first place. I require a CC number and info before anyone gets on my schedule. Depending on the size of the project and the client I may bill part of it up front, or just wait till the end of the project. But it gives me a little leverage and removes all that headache of chasing after my money.
Major :good:
I use "PayPal Here" on my iPhone, with the plug in card reader. I can take a credit card payment just about anywhere.....
I can explain it to you, but I can't understand it for you...
PayPal is the greatest thing since sliced bread!! It's much more secure than other methods. I am not a fan of credit cards, so PayPal is an attractive option for me to use when paying bills. I do not mind a vendor charging more (enough to cover his fees) on my sales.
I am in the process of getting my loan surveys off the HUD. I am setting up pre-closing payment on my website using PayPal and was surprised to learn that PP actually has an invoicing function. Very helpful tech guys as well.
I am tilling new ground in my area by being a pay-on-delivery provider for loan closings. Just like the bug-guy, the appraiser and the home inspector. Hell, we're just about the last ones being paid at/if closing. I expect some blow-back at first but the Attys I work with are being supportive. They HATE trying to collect fees when closings go sideways.
I have used square. I only pull that out if things seem dodgey.
Good plan. For example, I just delivered a survey and FEMA to one of my best clients, a local title company. The secretary had just gotten off the phone, the buyer was canceling due to some non survey related item. No worries for me, I had billed the potential buyer my fee. No muss no fuss!
JB, your clients will love the fact that they won't have to spend time worrying about collecting your money!