I have a client who just stopped replying to my emails. I finally ran into her at Starbucks and she was incredibly rude. She said she wanted changes to the site that's why she didn't pay the final invoice. (but doesn't explain why she didn't reply to my emails and tell me what she wanted) I have done everything she has asked including making some changes after we talked but she's back at not replying again. I sent her a 'final invoice' with a pay by date...which has passed without contact. She's clearly not going to pay. Any suggestions? I'm ready to send it to collections but not sure how to do that. Last year I 'wrote off' another client who did something similar. I know we can't really write off our work...so it just means I worked without being paid.

Ugh! This is the worst part of this business!!! I love the work...hate dealing with deadbeat clients!

Any help...or even details of any similar issues would make me feel less 'alone' in this!

Thanks a bunch,
susan

Hi Susan,

The horse has already left the barn as they say. So the recourse is small claims court.
Because you are going through this exercise, thought should be given to repeating the process if it should happen again at some future time.
Before you begin, realize that there may be other circumstances for your client, such as foreclosure, etc.

I would begin with a process like this;

Dear . . . ,

"Please find a copies of the work orders that you submitted to my office attached to this cover letter."
(print out the emails, and snail mail them to the client along with your cover letter)

"These invoices are thirty days or more past due."
or
"These invoices represent work that your office ordered, work that we completed, and were due upon completion. These invoices are now past due."

"We have made repeated attempts to contact you regarding this matter via our normal email channels and have not received a response."

"Accordingly, we will attempt to resolve this matter through a third party such as Pierce County District Court or Joe Thug Collection Company. "
"Please remit the amount of $nnnn.nn by Friday June. . . to avoid third party intervention."

Sincerely,
. . . .

Make changes as appropriate to your situation and collection company.
Information for the small claims process can start here:
Small Claims Court - http://www.co.pierce....
Google for collection agencies serving Gig Harbor.

I tend to be "old school" when it comes to business and I like every agreement to be printed on paper and signed.
A fax machine is must and if a client doesn't use a fax, then snail mail is the way to go. I much prefer to work with larger companies than individuals, as most of what I'm use to is established business practice. I find that many individuals don't have experience or understand established business practices and that can get both business parties into trouble.
Not to lecture, but I hope that the above may be helpful.
Rich

How much money are we talking about? more or less than $1000? $2500? $5000?

Also, do you still have access to the server? has the site been delivered? Turn the site off until she pays.