OK, it had to happen I suppose. For the first time in 5 years I've been doing this I've been caught for a bad debt. Is just over £500 and I've tried the usual phone calls, letters, threats etc to no avail. Any idea what I need to do legally to get my money?
Yep - usual terms, but what I am finding is that if they don't want to pay there isn't too much you can do about it!
As long as you have the disclaimer on invoices "Payment within X days or we get to charge late payment fees and interest" then it is a sinch. A friendly remonder including the invoice again, sent by recorded delivery to make sure they sign for it. Spell out late payment terms. Pay by X date to avoid incurring penalties. Use the links above to find phrasing etc. If still no joy once the date has gone then tell them if payment is not received by X date then late payment measures will be applied. I have threatened small claims action as a last resort and that usually makes them cough up. Do it quickly though as they may not be paying due to money trouble and get in before they go bust! As long as you follow the process of contract and then put late payment terms on invoices then you should not have any problems extracting the cash.
Journoman, take yourself to the office or place where the individual or company who owe you money and refuse to leave until you get paid. It sounds wild but it works. A web designer friend of mine had the exact same problem, so he politley went and sat in the company office and stayed put until he got paid. He didn't kick up a fuss, the total opposite, he was polite, took a seat and just said im not able to leave until i recieve full cash payment for invoice xxx. few hours later the secretary brings him his cash (as requested) and they even put an extra tenner in, and you know what he did (no he didn't tear it up) he just poltiley said thank you, and if there is anything else he can help them with, he'd look forward to hearing from them. Sounds far from normal doesn't it, but if you have the nerv to do this, go for it.
