Loading…
20
Lost $400 on a logo job because I didn't put late fees in writing
I do freelance graphic design out of my apartment in Cincinnati. Back in March a small coffee shop hired me for a full logo package, $800 total. We agreed on half up front, half when I sent the files. Simple. I sent the first draft after two weeks, they loved it, asked for a few tweaks, I did those, then sent the final invoice on April 2nd. Then nothing. I emailed twice, called once, even dropped by the shop. The owner kept saying "check's in the mail" which it never was. Almost three months later I finally got the $400, but only after I said I'd take the files off their social media. The dumb part is I never wrote a late fee or a due date into our agreement. Rookie move. Now I add "net 15" and a 5 percent late charge to every single contract. What do you all put in yours to make clients actually pay on time?
1 comments
Log in to join the discussion
Log In2 Comments
Losing $400 on a project you’ve already put time and effort into is frustrating, especially when a simple clause in the agreement might have helped prevent the situation. I’m sorry you had to learn this the hard way.
One important lesson here is that payment terms should be agreed upon in writing before work begins—not just discussed informally. Beyond late fees, it helps to clearly define payment deadlines, deposit requirements, milestones, and what happens when an invoice becomes overdue.
For future projects, having a written payment policy and a consistent invoice follow-up process can make a real difference in protecting your time and cash flow.
I’m curious: was the main issue that the client paid late, refused to pay the additional fee, or never paid the original invoice at all? The best next step depends on which situation you’re dealing with.