Poll: Are you flexible with payment terms with some of your clients?
Téma indítója: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
MUNKATÁRS
Aug 21, 2010

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Are you flexible with payment terms with some of your clients?".

This poll was originally submitted by Mariam Osmane. View the poll results »



 
Agnieszka Ufland
Agnieszka Ufland  Identity Verified
Lengyelország
Tag (2009 óta)
angol - lengyel
+ ...
A WEBOLDALAT LOKALIZÁLÓ FORDÍTÓ
No, but ... Aug 21, 2010

I answered No, but it depends on how you understand flexible.
I usually issue my invoices with 30 days' due date and I do not tolerate even 1 day's delay. So in that respect I am not flexible at all.

However, there is one agency which I grant a 45-days payment date, since they provide me with large volumes of work, but again - if there is no payment on the 46th day, I intervene.


 
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida
Maria Teresa Borges de Almeida  Identity Verified
Portugália
Local time: 15:48
Tag (2007 óta)
angol - portugál
+ ...
Yes Aug 21, 2010

some of my clients have been with me for over 20 years. This means of course that I am much more flexible with them than with a new client...

 
Thayenga
Thayenga  Identity Verified
Németország
Local time: 16:48
Tag (2009 óta)
angol - német
+ ...
Other Aug 21, 2010

This should actually read... yes and no.

With clients, who provide me with large volumes of work and/or who have done so for a certain amount of time, e. g. 10 years, I am more inclined to a certain flexibility.

New clients and/or tardy payers must honor my invoice on the agreed upon day.


 
Richard Boulter
Richard Boulter  Identity Verified
Egyesült Államok
Local time: 08:48
spanyol - angol
+ ...
'Flexible' vs. 'flexible' Aug 21, 2010

I answered 'YES' on this, because I do actually bill clients differently. As others have said, I can often allow 30 days from my invoice or even 45 days, for some. But my 'flexibility' includes stipulating immediate or 15-day payment on new and unknown clients/outsourcers, on 'urgent' or small 2-3 page assignments, or on private individuals requesting services. This sort of decision is just a part of doing business for a profit.

 
Gianluca Marras
Gianluca Marras  Identity Verified
Olaszország
Local time: 16:48
angol - olasz
other Aug 21, 2010

I am flexible with some and not flexible with others.

Long term clients have my complete flexibility - And I have to say I have theirs


 
Amy Duncan (X)
Amy Duncan (X)  Identity Verified
Brazília
Local time: 11:48
portugál - angol
+ ...
Yes, in many cases Aug 21, 2010

If I like a client and we have a good working relationship, I tend to be very flexible about payments. I know some here say that the company always must pay even if their client has not paid, but in some cases that just isn't realistic. If a large project is involved, sometimes the company just doesn't have the cash flow to pay on time when a client hasn't paid or is slow in paying. "You can't get blood from a stone." So in cases like that, I am patient and flexible.

 
Dinny
Dinny  Identity Verified
Görögország
Local time: 17:48
olasz - dán
+ ...
Is it vice versa? Aug 21, 2010

If I would ever have a client that would be flexible about the agreed deadline (Noooo problem delivering a couple of days late, lol) ... then I might be flexible when it comes to the agreed payment date. Since this has never happened to me in 20 years in this business, I guess my replying "no" to this poll is the most appropriate.



 
Muriel Vasconcellos
Muriel Vasconcellos  Identity Verified
Egyesült Államok
Local time: 07:48
Tag (2003 óta)
spanyol - angol
+ ...
Do we have a choice? Aug 21, 2010

In the end, the decision to cough up the money rests with the client. If the client doesn't pay on time, what choice do we have? The most we can do is remind and complain.

I start with gentle reminders and escalate my claim as time goes on.


 
Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
Egyesült Államok
Local time: 07:48
angol - német
+ ...
Az Ő emlékére:
Flexibility vs. pain treshold Aug 22, 2010

Should never be mixed up.

Flexibility = when the client asks for extended payment terms beforehand due to the nature of a project. In such cases I might agree on such extended payment terms before I start work and they will be part of the PO.

Pain treshold = when the client is late with payment and begs for your "flexibity", a euphemism for eternal patience.



 


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Poll: Are you flexible with payment terms with some of your clients?






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