Offline warriors, how and when do you accept payment for work?

Interesting...I use paypal all the time. Do you think my clients think I look amateurish?
Your headtrash about the issue is costing you money.

You have two and only two payment sequence options for serious consideration.

50% down/50% on completion

and

100% down.

And all of it's in your head. This is positioning. If you can get past the "gulp" factor in asking for 100% down, you will find there are people who will give it to you. And you have to be willing to either qualify those who won't Out, or give them the 50/50 alternative at a higher total price. There must be a penalty to the client for doing it that way.

"Bill like a proper agency would"...and you will be waiting for payments. Can you wait 30, 45, 60 days for payment? I get paid right now. Paypal can take its fees...Accounting 101: A Dollar Today Is Worth More Than a Dollar Tomorrow.

Hi there,

I agree with Jason.

If you've done your job in the sales process you ask for payment when you want to get paid. It's as simple as that.

All the best,

Sasha.

Paypal as mentioned works.
Square is great if you meet in person.
Checks are always good (IamNameless has posted multiple times about taking checks by phone)

In the long run how you get paid isn't really a big deal. Most of the major companies we use take a check from us.

My personal belief is the more expensive the service you offer the more likely someone will want to pay by check so make sure you can accept them. Beyond that have at least one way to pay by credit card in person and one for over the phone or internet (can be the same for all).

Once you have sold someone they really don't care normally how they have to pay unless it is a hassle and even then they will pay. For example all International Customers must pay by wire transfer with us. It is a bit of a pain for some but I have never had anyone not buy over it. Though some have requested other ways to pay and been told that is the only way we will sell a camper internationally.

Thanks guys, the above was all incredibly helpful, it seems I was just over complicating the issue.

The only reason I assumed id raise an invoice for the client was so its all written out for them and there is no confusion.

Also for those that do, how are you setting up recurring billing stuff for the client?

Sasha is a payment closer and Marty is an assumption closer it appears. As long as you both know the deal is closed before you get to that point I don't think either are bad. I really think you two are going back or forth over semantics here.

Most of my payments come through via BACS or Cheque.

If it's a web development job we get 50% at the start and 50% at the end. Although I have had some where they'll pay 100% up front.

Monthly SEO is billed monthly and the best way we have found is getting people on direct debit or standing order.

I have different clients that require different payment options.

One type of client, There are several clients lumped in this category pay monthly through paypal for on ongoing service.

Another type of my clients send checks before I begin work. Making sure payment is set up and paid in advance for atleast 15-20 hours of my time.

When I meet in person with a client I give them my going rate, they can then decide how they would like to pay from there.

When I am setting up a funnel, ie online transactions, I always include paypal, it is easy and fast. BUT I do offer additional payment options for people that dislike using paypal.

Don't worry about looking professional, find clients that just require good long commited work and weed out the clients that are picky about how you come across.

We accept checks first, then once we get to know you we do paypal.

Paypal isn't looked down upon, however buyers are snaking the system. As a seller, paypal can do nothing for you once someone files a chargeback with their bank or CC. Doesn't matter what proof you have, they have to give the money to the bank/CC company because they do not protect YOU the seller. You learn that when it happens the first time and never let it happen again. When someone is dishonest and paypal DOES side with you at first, all they have to do is (illegally) sign an affidavit with their bank or CC company that says they did not authorize the transaction...and BAM, paypal charges YOU for the money, no more investigations, no more proof, no "we're on the sellers side." The only way to combat this is with legal action, which is doable, but once you prove to the bank/CC company that they lied, they're the ones in trouble. However, in the mean time, paypal bills you and you are SOL. Seems to be a common theme here on WF, as I'm sure it is with many other law breakers once they figure out how to scam the system. Problem is, paypal loses money in the end, because they can't enforce the collection of the "bill" created to the seller. So, that's why there are fees.

Yes, I know what I'm talking about

So, we take a check first, that way there is no question on who agreed to what. When we have an established relationship, we allow paypal payments. Also, if it is a smaller amount or a one time thing, we'll take paypal.

It all depends on what you want to do, but you need to know the downfalls.

>>Sasha is a payment closer

LOL...no.

All the best,

Sasha.