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Why should I be expected to sign invoices to clients? Thread poster: Lia Fail (X)
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Lia Fail (X) 
Spain
Local time: 10:37
Spanish to English
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I have a few clients - very few - who want a printed, signed invoice by post.
I never get invoices with signatures when I buy stuff, like stationary, computer equipment, ect.
Why should I be expected to sign?
(I live in Spain, by the way).
What do you think? Is it logical?
[Subject edited by staff or moderator 2009-01-05 14:42 GMT]
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Francisco Pavez (X)
Canada
Local time: 01:37
English to Spanish
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| Old Ways Die Hard | Jan 4, 2009 |
In my time in Mexico I also noticed that many times invoices had to be physical and had to be signed.
As far as I know, it was the old way before computers, faxes and electronic bank transfers when no paper invoice meant no obligation to pay. The signature thing may help tell real from fake invoices, like someone else trying to pass off a copied invoice as real.
I'm not sure if it's legally required or if it's just the way things are done. In any case, a happy client is... See more In my time in Mexico I also noticed that many times invoices had to be physical and had to be signed.
As far as I know, it was the old way before computers, faxes and electronic bank transfers when no paper invoice meant no obligation to pay. The signature thing may help tell real from fake invoices, like someone else trying to pass off a copied invoice as real.
I'm not sure if it's legally required or if it's just the way things are done. In any case, a happy client is a recurring client, no? ▲ Collapse
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| Call me old-fashioned... | Jan 4, 2009 |
I send signed invoices on my own initiative. Just like it that way. On my letterhead, using my own format. It just seems both more personal and more formal. Does it guarantee timely payment? No, I suppose not. But it seems to give more accountability.
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| A possible way to do it | Jan 4, 2009 |
Print your invoice, sign it (handwritten), scan and send by e-mail.
For all my international customers this is good enough (some require to use their invoicing links via Internet).
In Israel (maybe also in Spain), it is mandatory to issue an additional and equivalent tax invoice, for accounting books and a copy for own records( in local currency.)
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In Germany signing invoices is neither required nor would it invalidate the invoice. So if a client wants me to place my signature, personal lipstick kiss, or the joke of the week on my invoice, I will do it as long as it will make him feel better.
Concerning the printed invoice, this is a legal requirement in Germany, so the client is entitled to ask for it (and save money and time to print it ou... See more In Germany signing invoices is neither required nor would it invalidate the invoice. So if a client wants me to place my signature, personal lipstick kiss, or the joke of the week on my invoice, I will do it as long as it will make him feel better.
Concerning the printed invoice, this is a legal requirement in Germany, so the client is entitled to ask for it (and save money and time to print it out). ▲ Collapse
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Hi all,
I also used to sign my invoices until I lately heard from a colleague that according to EU regulations a signed invoice, allegedly, means said invoice has been paid.
I'd much appreciate if someone could either confirm or deny this.
Sherefedin
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Hans G. Liepert
Switzerland
Local time: 10:37
English to German
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In memoriam | Qualified Electronical Signature | Jan 4, 2009 |
Harry Bornemann wrote:
Concerning the printed invoice, this is a legal requirement in Germany, so the client is entitled to ask for it (and save money and time to print it out).
In Germany electronical invoices are allowed only, if they carry a so called qualified electronical signature (QES). In this case no printed invoice, let stand a physical signature from the supplier is required.
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Hans G. Liepert
Switzerland
Local time: 10:37
English to German
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In memoriam
Sherefedin MUSTAFA wrote:
I also used to sign my invoices until I lately heard from a colleague that according to EU regulations a signed invoice, allegedly, means said invoice has been paid.
I'd much appreciate if someone could either confirm or deny this.
Sherefedin
An invoice is paid only , if the money has been received on your account or the invoice amount has been netted with a counter account. An invoice never is a receipt/aquittance (Dutch: kwijting) unless this is stated in writing on the invoice.
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Hans G. Liepert wrote:
In Germany electronical invoices are allowed only, if they carry a so called qualified electronical signature (QES). In this case no printed invoice, let stand a physical signature from the supplier is required.
EUR 99 + MwSt, valid for 2 years .. so it won't save much compared to the occasional postage ..
https://www.d-trust.net/internet/files/2.Preisinformationen.pdf
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Textklick
Local time: 09:37
German to English
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In memoriam | Who allows - the customer or the law? | Jan 4, 2009 |
Hans G. Liepert wrote:
In Germany electronical invoices are allowed only, if they carry a so called qualified electronical signature (QES). In this case no printed invoice, let stand a physical signature from the supplier is required.
In Germany, electronic invoices are allowed always, unless the client's accountant says they are not, which is very seldom. At least, that is the way I have experienced it.
Whether the customer's allowance of this practice is permissible, I know not. Why me worry?
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Samuel Murray
Netherlands
Local time: 10:37
Member (2006)
English to Afrikaans
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| Unconfirmed legend... | Jan 4, 2009 |
Sherefedin MUSTAFA wrote:
...until I lately heard from a colleague that according to EU regulations a signed invoice, allegedly, means said invoice has been paid.
I've heard that legend before, but this is the first time I hear the "EU regulations" twist. The version I've heard simply stated that "in some countries" a signed invoice is considered a receipt. Having fallen for this little myth myself, I currently add "This is an invoice, not a receipt" at the bottom of all my [signed] invoices.
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The sole request for signed, physical (mailed) invoices came from an outsourcer using receipt of the signed invoice to start the payment clock, which was already sufficently long ("xxx days after the end of the month in which the signed invoice is received").
Signed invoices are never issued in Peru; here signing indicates payment has been received (SUNAT regs).
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John Rawlins
Spain
Local time: 10:37
Spanish to English
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| Signing and stamping invoices | Jan 4, 2009 |
Just ten years ago, it was common for Spanish firms to demand signed and stamped invoices. I understand that this was never a legal requirement - but had become a time-honoured practice.
Very few of these dinosaurs have survived.
Spain also used to have a small army of semi-retired men who would faithfully queue for you outside the door of client's office on the monthly supplier payment day. The last foot soldiers in this patient army are now queuing outside the pearly ... See more Just ten years ago, it was common for Spanish firms to demand signed and stamped invoices. I understand that this was never a legal requirement - but had become a time-honoured practice.
Very few of these dinosaurs have survived.
Spain also used to have a small army of semi-retired men who would faithfully queue for you outside the door of client's office on the monthly supplier payment day. The last foot soldiers in this patient army are now queuing outside the pearly gates.
Legally, I believe everyone is currently required to post a copy of an invoice - or alternatively follow a surprisingly complex 'official' procedure for emailing an invoice.
Nevertheless, the vast majority of Spanish companies use common sense and gladly accept invoices that are sent as simple attachments to emails. ▲ Collapse
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Sidra
Brazil
Local time: 05:37
English to Portuguese
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| Signing invoices | Jan 4, 2009 |
There is an outsourcer in Latvia who requested a signed invoice in black ink pen. After the invoice was sent, she then said that her accountant needed it signed in blue in and not black. That sounded strange.
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| Better sign in colour | Jan 4, 2009 |
Layla Aldworth wrote:
After the invoice was sent, she then said that her accountant needed it signed in blue in and not black. That sounded strange. This does not sound strange to me, because a black signature can easily be mixed up with a cheap copy, a blue one not (yet). I guess the outsourcer mixed this up because she did not understand the reason.
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