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Collecting 50% up front vs. 50% at delivery, does anyone else flip flop on this?
Last month I had a project in Austin where the customer paid half before I started, then ghosted me after I sent the final files. I've always thought the 50/50 split was fair, but now I'm wondering if I should just ask for everything upfront or break it into thirds. A friend swears by taking 25% to start, 50% at the halfway mark, and 25% on delivery, which sounds safer but might scare off new clients. What's worked for you all when you've got a big job and a nervous customer on the line? I'm leaning toward trying the thirds method next time, but I want to hear if it's actually worth the hassle.
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wadejenkins19d ago
Had the same thing happen to me last spring with a logo job for a restaurant. Guy paid the deposit, I sent proofs, he went quiet for three weeks, then came back asking for the final files without paying the rest. I held them until he paid but it was two months of chasing him. Switched to the thirds thing after that and honestly it's not as much of a hassle as it sounds. You just bill at three clear points and the client never feels like they're handing over a huge chunk at once. Takes one extra invoice and a short email each time. Worth it if you ask me, because the guy who ghosts after paying half will still ghost on thirds but at least you're only out 25% instead of the whole balance.
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