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Re: For web developers... clients that won't pay.
I'll concur with what others have said. On my consulting work, I'm now asking for a down payment (I just sent a client an invoice for $500 down on a proposed job that could go up to $1800).
Another job I had last year, we started with a down payment and worked it off. Keep in mind what you need for the little quick calls. I made clear to the client (in writing) that those calls would be subject to a nominal minimum, plus travel costs would be included when I had to go to their site.
I just dropped a client late last year who abused that. I did some consulting for them 15 years ago or so, getting them out of a $15,000 lawsuit which didn't take a lot of time - I think my whole consulting fee was about $250 (it was very simple to make these balance due bills go away). He begged me to make my invoice $500 and say I was giving him a half price discount because his boss would have a fit over my invoice. I've told him over the years, if you call me for advice, I have to charge you - it's how I make my living and other folks pay me for my expertise. Last year, he called about some technically aspect of shipping and I took about 15-20 minutes walking him through the freight nomenclature, etc - it was going to save him thousands of dollars on orders going to WalMart - I told had to send him a bill, as I had advised him before. I got a voicemail from him about how upset his boss was and that the boss thought after 20 years of doing business, I could do this favor for them. A $45 bill to a $20M+ company and they're smacking me for helping them save some money. I didn't need that headache anymore for such a paltry sum.
It's always best though to get some advance so you're not out of pocket.
Likewise, 30 days are very common terms and, frankly, in some cases, you're lucky to get that. One of the biggest changes I've seen since I've been in business (1979), is the change in payment terms. Some are 45-60 days. I'm fortunate to have a couple of my retainer accounts place me on "net upon receipt" terms instead of their usual 45 days.
Good luck.
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