Is this way of 'payment collection' alright?
As quick and short as possible on this.
I have this client for whom I'm hosting and managing a web app on their behalf. I charge about $15 per month, hosting + my maintenance included. The problem is, he hasn't paid anything in months now. I followed up like crazy number of times, and yet nothing.
Just feels too bad coz he has blocked me on Twitter, and ceased email communications but I can still see he opens each email I send (thanks to the little tracker I add to my emails).
I have sent him this email and on LinkedIn as a final note:
"Name, I have shut down the server resources and the app is not accessible anymore. I won't turn it back on until you pay the outstanding amount of $150.
I'm taking this immediate action because I have found that you blocked me on Twitter and ceased email communications with me for a long time now.
The servers, which are now shut down, will be deleted in 10 days time if you don't pay the invoice. Just saying."
Is the messaging too rude? I'm a really nice guy so need to clarify with you all. How would you go about this?
First off, don't feel bad or guilty, you're trying to run a business. Not getting paid is bad but if they just ignore it and don't engage with you, you don't have many options and it's no longer your problem.
I'm not sure it can ever be rude when you are owed money like that, but if they have blocked you and not responded, it's not likely you are going to get that money back, unfortunately.
Shut down the site you are hosting, redirect the traffic to a parked page. So if they are still using the site they go to your holding page.
"This website is parked by … " type thing.
Send the notice and give them maybe 30 days, see if they come back, give them a chance.
If you can include the link to the invoice and make it really easy for them to pay you.
Sadly like many of us here, if they don't pay you don't have many options. Delete their data and move on.
Thanks @jamesmkenny in the many follow-ups from my end, this is the one that worked.
I shut it down and said that will turn it back on if they don't pay. And I'm finally paid yesterday.
As you said, I made it really easy it was a simple PayPal payment request (not even an invoice, as sometimes that's confusing) with a note on what it is and a breakdown of the costs.
It used to be great working with this client but not anymore unfortunately. For some reason, they have become irresponsible and not co-operating at all.
I have decided to hand over their resources to them over this weekend. And he didn't respond anything to this decision as well. So I'm like, okay fine I'll do it and waving off goodbye now.
@iamdinakar That's a great result!
Yeah unfortunately a lot of businesses are struggling at the moment, so some are just trying to delay as much as possible, cutting them off shows you can't be delayed and need to be paid so hopefully you don't go through it again.
@jamesmkenny the problem for me is not communicating at all. I would easily allow a few more months if they were gentle enough to ask "I need more time".
Now, I simply hope they'll take forward this project smoothly and wish them good luck.
That message is fine. Very important to take this step! Don't let clients walk all over you, even if you know them personally or they are your first client.
Thanks for the advice @codinglukas
After 10s of follow-ups, this is the one that has made him pay. Now I'm glad the messaging worked. I'm taking the steps to discontinue managing the app and basically handing over his resources to him this weekend.
This person is totally irresponsible and I'm better off not dealing business with them.
send invoice + payment link
Thanks @fajarsiddiq I finally managed to get paid by this client later that day
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