Commercial Job Not Paying

So I (we) need some advice. My husband did a commercial job over a month ago for a local company that operates out of a warehouse. We've done many commercial jobs in the past and handled it the same way. We gave a written estimate of the work first. They called and requested our service according to the estimate. We had them sign the invoice (contract) before the work began. The person who signed wasn't the person who requested the cleaning, however, it was the owner of the company that signed the invoice. We sent them an invoice in the mail with a 30 day due date. 5 Days after their payment was due I called and they said the money would be put into the mail. I followed up that call with a fax of the signed contract and the invoice that was sent in the mail. I waited 7 seven days and sent them a past due notice. According to our contract we charge a 10% fee of the original quote for any late payment. I've tried calling again, but the owner is no longer picking up his cellphone. I left a message and sent a e-mail reminder.

Over the last 16 years i have abour 33 thousand dollars in unpaid invoices, just part of doing business. If it is high dollar start making pop in visits handing them the unpaid invoices every time. This usually works as it make the company look like a dead beat company to its own employees.

First timers payment is ALWAYS DUE on Receipt! Don't forget that.

Remember a good collection agency may take as much as 40 percent

DarthGhost wrote: Better to get 60% than get nothing, claim the 40% as a tax loss..

Very true but I would recommend this as a last resort, I wait till 120 days late before handing it over to a collection agency

The Duck gave you some excellant advice. You should use it and move on.If you are priced right your time is worth $100/hr or more. Use it to generate new business. You have not got the skills to get money from these dead beats.

Thats too bad you got burnt so early in your Career. Live and learn. This can be a cut throat service. I lost a Dentist acct that had 2 locations because they didn't send the money and i called them once a week. Got pd 4 wks later. The Accountant Beoch didn't like me calling once a week so she fired me... Big deal. $600yr acct no big deal...