Making sure you get paid on time can be tough. There are few businesses that haven’t had to write off business debts! Occasionally your customers will just forget to make a payment; these customers usually are not a problem, as they will pay you as soon as you let them know you’re still waiting. At other times, however, you will come across customers who actively avoid paying you. This article will provide you with some strategies to encourage payment.
1. Upfront Payment
The easiest way to ensure that you get paid on time is to require an upfront payment before you provide any goods or services. This is obviously not possible for everyone, but many online businesses operate on this basis, and it ensures not just a 100% payment record, but a positive cash flow cycle. There is no better way to ensure full payment!
2. Use a Credit Card Facility
As part of demanding upfront payment, you will usually accept credit cards. It’s important to remember that it’s actually the credit card provider paying the relevant amount into your businesses’ bank account. The customer then owes a debt to the credit card company. If they default on that debt, it’s down to the credit card company, not you, to collect.
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3. Credit Checks
If you can’t insist on an upfront payment due to the nature of your business it can be prudent to perform a credit check on potential customers. This only makes sense, of course, if you are considering selling goods and services of substantial value to a customer; performing a credit check takes time and effort. Moneysmart, a government agency, provides information on how to look up a potential customer’s credit.
4. Document your Agreement
If you have actually signed a clear contract with your potential customer, you will be in a much better position to collect overdue payments. A written contract focuses the mind. If it’s very clear that the customer has a binding obligation to make payment you will be in a much better position.
5. Just Ask to get paid on time!
There’s not need to go straight to a lawyer if you’ve got an overdue debt that needs paying. Simply ask for the payment to be made. You will often find that a polite request will be met with payment.
6. Go to the Professionals
If you still can’t get paid on time it may be time to start working with either a debt collection agency or a lawyer. If you do decide to work with a lawyer, LegalVision can help, so just get in touch!
Conclusion
Non-paying customers can be frustrating, but there are a number of steps you can take to reduce the risk of non-payment and get paid on time. Furthermore, there are steps you can take to make customers pay-up. For more legal advice on how to get paid, contact LegalVision on 1300 544 755 and speak with one of our lawyers today.
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