Serious question, I think being too nice on the first late payment call is a mistake

I was at my desk in Springfield last Tuesday, staring at a $2,800 invoice that was 45 days late for a full kitchen repipe. I called the homeowner, all friendly like usual, and just got a vague 'check's in the mail' promise. So I called back the next day, firm but polite, and said I'd have to file a lien if I didn't have a payment confirmation by 5 PM. He sent a bank transfer within the hour. Has anyone else found that skipping the soft approach gets faster results?

3 comments

3 Comments

hannah_craig1mo ago

My contractor buddy says "check's in the mail" is usually code for "I need a real deadline.

the_mary1mo ago

Wait your contractor buddy actually SAID that to you @hannah_craig? That's brutally honest.

ray_burns1mo ago

Totally agree, and @hannah_craig is right about the deadline. I learned the same lesson after too many "checks in the mail" stories.