Is this customer out of order... or?

[JamesM]

Been speaking to a *potential* customer for a couple of weeks.. he seemed very keen to get started and said he wanted to move over to us.

Great!

After 2 weeks of regular contact, getting his needs in place, working out a strategy that he is happy with, the time came pay-up before we begin the work.

"I can't afford that for another couple of weeks", he said "but you can go ahead an start and I'll call you for an update next week".

We always take payment before any work starts, this is the first time a customer, no no.. a *potential* customer, has asked us to start work before receiving payment.

What would you do?

 

[DesignerNick]

I wouldn't lift a finger until he has paid you..

People like this annoy me.

 

[cjd]

He's told you that he can't afford to pay you; I think you know what that means don't you?

Personally, I'd say something like 'ok, that's fine, I'll provisionally reschedule the work for two weeks time. Let me know when your finances are available.'

 

[chalkie99]

Stick to your guns and insist on payment up front.

In a couple of weeks he will have another excuse. We have learned this the hard way and now work on what we call the "Tesco" principle. In other words, if you got to the checkout at Tesco and said you never had the money at the moment would they say:

a) That's all right - pay us what you can when you can

or

b) Just hold on while we call security

You have to take a professional approach with customers or they will walk all over you.

 

[TrophyPrint]

I agree with cjd if he can't afford to pay you now, he probably won't in 2 weeks.

Possibly ask him for 50% up front and the rest in 2 weeks and then you could make a start, but do no more than 50% of the work till the balance is paid (if it's viable to)

 

[serasan]

Totally agree with the posters here, no money no work.

I do blinds and take 50% deposit and the balance on the fit.

If they make an excuse, usually it is because they don't have any money.

I tell them to get back to me when they can pay. Most times I never hear from them again.

Good luck.

 

[I Love Spreadsheets]

An alternative would be to arrange a payment schedule i.e. he pays you 20% now, you do 20% of the work, he pays you another 20% and so on and so on.

That way you are not left out of pocket and the client doesn't have to find all the money up front.

But under no circumstances do any work without any payment

 

[Working First Aid]

I have to agree with the general consensus.

Your own policy is never to do work until payment is received. Stick to it, as it makes sense - especially with new customers with no proven track records.

If he is a legitimate customer, he should have no complaint about this.

Let us know how it turns out...

Shaun
Working First Aid

 

[WJP]

Stick to your policy, aside from anything else if you agree to this arrangement now and he ends up being a regular customer it could cause you all kinds of headaches as he'll expect the same treatment ad infinitum.

 

[hmmm]

yes agreed no money no worky
i do find that sort of thing odd.
do you go into a shop pick up a mars bar and say ill pay you next week thanks yum yum

 

[gemd89]

I usually pay SEO, web designers 50/50 - 50% for them to start the work and 50% on completion when im happy with the work carried out.

Gemma

 

[JEREMY HAWKE]

Having lost quite a lot of money over the years. I am very careful these days .I wish I had said payment up front or nothing !

 

[Igneous D]

Sadly we have found this to be all too common. Stick to your guns, if anything go one further and let them know you are implementing a price increase in 2 weeks and you wanted to get this order through before then.

At least you will see if they are serious. If not, then you have not wasted any more valuable time and resource

 

[Geoff T]

Absolutely agree with previous... the next "big deal" comes to nought if you don't see the money!