Chasing Debts Owed By Clients

SuzieSue

CANZON wrote: »

T
If they have certain rules about purchase order numbers being needed for services purchased, they should really make sure their staff know this. It isn't my fault if they haven't worked with their non-accounts departments to make that standard. I don't see why they think they can penalise me financially for what is a flaw in their business, not mine. That's just stupid.

This used to happen to us and now we ensure all our sales staff ask for a PO number when they get an order from a customer. Some customers do not use POs but we always cover ourselves by asking and often it will jog the customer's memory especially if they have only just started using POs.

antrobus

CANZON wrote: »

... And I had an agreement with their staff for this work.

....

Well yes, but having an agreement with the staff of Megaglobal PLC for the work is not necessarily the same as having an agreement with Megaglobal PLC for the work. Which is why it's always good to have a purchase order, as now you've actually got some evidence that a contract exists.

patman99 wrote: »

...
Toughen-up and send them a final demand. Point-out that YOU require payment within YOUR terms, not theirs.
...

And since we're on the subject of purchase orders, it's worth noting that they often arrive with a whole host of T&Cs listed on the reverse. It's those T&Cs that usually win in the 'battle of the forms'.

Mistral001

If most of your work is B2B then expect to be be paid by bigger firms when it suits their accounting department. So if the invoice comes in at the beginning of the month and they are set up to pay their bills at the end of the month, it is not unusual for them to not pay until the end of the next month.
However, I would still send out reminders or statements at the end of the 30 days even though it seems a waste of time and a waste of a printout ans second calss stamp. It is a reminder that you are there and doing things in a businesslike way. Try to send them bang on the 30 days as it also gives the firms the impression that you have a secretary who does that sort of thing as part of his/her routine.

With regard to giving a discount for early payment, it tends to annoy accounts departments and some may see it as patronising.