Pro tip: started sending invoices with a 5 day net term instead of 30...

I normally give my clients 30 days to pay but I kept waiting 45 to 60 days for checks. Earlier this month I switched to net 5 terms on all my new contracts without warning anyone. Two clients got upset right away and one called me asking 'what changed?'. I told them I had bills to pay too. One of them actually paid within 3 days so far. The other one is still grumbling but at least I know where I stand. Has anyone tried shorter terms and gotten pushback or did folks eventually get used to it?

3 comments

3 Comments

fisher.jessica16d ago

Good for you. Clients get real comfortable when you let them slide.

victorhernandez16d ago

Good for you. Clients get real comfortable when you let them slide." That's fair but I think you're giving a little too much credit here. The issue isn't just comfort it's that most people don't actually read contracts or invoices closely. I've seen clients miss payment terms entirely because they just skim the amount and due date. So switching to net 5 without warning probably caught a few people off guard who genuinely didn't see it coming. But hey, if it gets you paid faster that's the goal.

jesse_smith1016d ago

Client got mad at me once for changing terms. I told em I gotta eat too. Guess what? They paid fast after that. Must've thought I was joking about the ramen.