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Reducing time spent chasing overdue invoices

I work in a small business where overdue invoice follow-ups seem to end up back with the same people who originally dealt with the customer.

It’s becoming quite time-consuming, especially when most of the work is just sending reminders and checking whether payment has arrived yet.

I’ve been looking at whether automated reminder/payment systems are actually worthwhile for smaller businesses, or whether they create more hassle than they solve.

Interested to hear what’s worked well in practice from a time-saving and cost point of view.

Comments

  • Slinky
    Slinky Posts: 11,655 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper

    Payment at the time of booking worked well for me, or standing orders for regular customers. If you go with the presumptive close that that is how your business operates, it's amazing how many people will accept it, although obviously I've no idea what your business is.

    In 15 years I wrote off under £1K a year from bad payers, a tiny percentage, and didn't have to waste too much time chasing payments.

    Make £2026 in 2026
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    Make £2024 in 2024 Total £1410/£2024 70%
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  • MyRealNameToo
    MyRealNameToo Posts: 4,085 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Name Dropper

    Firstly, review who you are giving credit to rather than payment up front.

    There are some not too badly priced accounts receivable/credit control softwares out there that will generate invoices and automate chasers etc but automated emails really only helps with forgetful clients and a lot less with those that are intentionally not paying you.

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