Any new developments?
My ideas were pretty much the same as everybody else's. Full payment's preferred, of course, but the obvious question is -- do they have/can they get it? As others mentioned, I've had them borrow from relatives (this is usually possible) or asked for post-dated checks (also a series), partial payment, half, all, etc.
I find that it all depends on the particular client and you just have to play it by ear. Sometimes you can nurse one along for a long time, occasionally collecting $100/$200 and you'll get it all, while others must be paid in full or they simply won't ever come back.
The only really concrete advice I have (for the future) is this:
(1) Don't let the bill get too high (like now). Gently insist (don't take no for an answer) on partial payments as they go. If you don't, then they can't pay a large amount even if they want to and you'll lose this money plus all future years' business (they'll strictly avoid you).
(2) I'm sure you've already beat yourself up about the LLC fee, so there's no point in me piling on ($300 is an amount nobody would reasonably expect you to pay for them). I'll just say that you shouldn't pay anything other than de minimus "government" fees for clients -- they'll get a money order for you if they really want it done.
Tough out there, ain't it?
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -- MATTHEW. VIII. 12
My ideas were pretty much the same as everybody else's. Full payment's preferred, of course, but the obvious question is -- do they have/can they get it? As others mentioned, I've had them borrow from relatives (this is usually possible) or asked for post-dated checks (also a series), partial payment, half, all, etc.
I find that it all depends on the particular client and you just have to play it by ear. Sometimes you can nurse one along for a long time, occasionally collecting $100/$200 and you'll get it all, while others must be paid in full or they simply won't ever come back.
The only really concrete advice I have (for the future) is this:
(1) Don't let the bill get too high (like now). Gently insist (don't take no for an answer) on partial payments as they go. If you don't, then they can't pay a large amount even if they want to and you'll lose this money plus all future years' business (they'll strictly avoid you).
(2) I'm sure you've already beat yourself up about the LLC fee, so there's no point in me piling on ($300 is an amount nobody would reasonably expect you to pay for them). I'll just say that you shouldn't pay anything other than de minimus "government" fees for clients -- they'll get a money order for you if they really want it done.
Tough out there, ain't it?
There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. -- MATTHEW. VIII. 12
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