Bewdy

Well to be fair, I always do get 30% deposit up front. And I do stipulate that I own full copyright of the images in my contract.

I think the issue is more to do with the guy being a bit of git and just ignoring all contractual obligations!

Though I may make more of an issue about not granting copyright until I get payment, when i deliver images in the future to new clients.

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Matt Sugden
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Billabong

I have seen this happen a lot lately in the archi area of 3D. I'm not saying it doesn't happen in the other areas, but it does seem to happen quite a lot in this area. I have friend that did work for a respectable archi company in NY and they have yet to pay him and its been over a year. I don't understand why these people want to be such crooks, Well I do see why why, thier cheap.

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EddieLeon

It might be a good idea to do background checks on new clients. Especially now that some economies are getting pretty bad.

By the way, we did some metrics on our collections recently and found that most of our delinquent clients are the small companies. Reputable large firms generally don't stiff us. They just take long to pay...

Also, as a rule of thumb, you should have large watermarks on all renderings until final payment is received. Especially with small first-time clients.

shaneis

Excellent advice, Eddie. I suppose also, considering the orphaned works fiasco, it may also save you some hassles down the line.

leed

That would not work for us... Working to tight deadlines were things are going to press you need to adopt a 'part of the team' attitude....and on the first job for a new client you can not afford to be aggressive with this type of thing... there is an element of trust given here... you can not go and say.... "I will remove the water mark when I get full payment". as you hand over the job... that is just going to alienate the client right away...

I think... that you should get to know who signs the cheque and who is the account manager for the firm, who signs off the work, when it was signed off and when the account has been passed to payment... what the terms are for payment in the company you are working for. All this info is available if you ask.... just be polite but firm when chasing payment... follow a procedure... phone calls... emails... letters... If you know how the firm works with regards payment then you know what you are dealing with, and WHO to talk to....you will get a lot further I have found...

Also you get to meet a lot more people, as a networking thing...

I am not saying this works on all accounts though... I had a client recently who dropped me in it by stipulating on completion of the job that.... " you will not get payed until we get payed", this was back in January.... After 3 months I had to force the thing through, by threatening a solicitors letter and I got payed the next day... No more work from the firm, but small companies need cash flow.. so you take the hit... I know for a fact that the firm still has not been payed.... So I would still be waiting for the money.... .... It was hard to make that decision but necessary ...


My little bit anyway


Lee

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EddieLeon

I agree. We sometimes break this rule to not alienate clients that we feel we can trust. But, the more you do in the beginning to make things clear with the client about how you want to handle the relationship the easier it will be to complete the project properly and get paid promptly. Your payment terms need to be clarified in multiple areas of the contract. You need to state the terms verbally at the beginning of the project and you must remind them prior to delivery. If they cannot send payment by delivery date then all they need to do is fax a copy of the check to you or simply sign a promissory note. The point is that you need to keep as much leverage as possible. Otherwise, once you deliver the final renderings then you will be completely at the mercy of the client. The client will know it. The bad ones will then take advantage of you....

leed

Yes I agree.. though probably I have not had the same experiences as you judging by your concerns... and comments...

Lee

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EddieLeon

We do all kinds of projects and have many different types of clients.

I would just use different approaches to billing/collections depending on who they are. As I said before, you can be patient with the big clients because they all eventually pay. The small ones can be risky so I would be a little more cautious.

Anyways, there is no way of guaranteeing that all clients will always pay all of the invoices. So your fees should account or buffer for some losses.

markf

I did some work for an architect and his client. I had done several other projects for them in the past. We had a good working relationship. They called on about New years day and asked to get a rendering done in like 4 days over the holiday. No time for getting my usual 50% up front and a signed Agreement for Service.

6 months later, still not paid. I called the architect at home and spoke to his wife. I didn't even discuss anything with her, just left a message asking that he call me back. Got paid later that day.

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Mark Frankmann
Open Range Imaging
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