Got paid 4 months late by a repeat customer who always paid on time before

I used to just send one invoice and wait. But when the Johnsons owed me $2,800 from that flat roof repair in Albany, I let it slide for 3 months because they were always good for it. Finally started sending a friendly text every Monday morning, nothing pushy just a hey checking in, and they paid within 2 days. Anyone else notice repeat clients get worse about paying after a while?

3 comments

3 Comments

rowan_ross19h ago

$2,800 for a flat roof repair and you just sent friendly texts? That's on you. If I was your customer I'd take advantage of that too. You set the standard that late payments are fine by not having any consequences. I've got a repeat client who pays net 30 like clockwork for 6 years now because I charge 1.5% interest every month past due and I put it right on the invoice in bold. The good customers don't mind because they pay on time anyway. The ones who slip up suddenly remember when they see that number go up. You taught that customer that your time isn't worth anything by letting it slide for 3 months and then just asking nicely.

fionanguyen18h agoMost Upvoted

Charging interest weeds out the slow payers real fast.

casey34257m ago

Oh man, that's rough... I've been there too with a customer who was always on time and then suddenly wasn't. What worked for me was switching to having them pay half upfront before I even start the job, then the rest when I finish. @rowan_ross is right that you gotta set the tone early, but I found the half upfront approach doesn't feel as harsh as charging interest to a long time repeat client. It just makes it so they've already shown some commitment, and the final payment usually comes faster since they want their roof done. Might be worth a try for that next job so you're not left waiting again.