| Pages in topic: [1 2] > | Poll: Would you give a discount on an overdue payment to ensure it is made? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Would you give a discount on an overdue payment to ensure it is made?".
View the poll results »
| | | | | Absolutely not | Jul 4, 2016 |
I would shout and threaten and generally hassle them like crazy on a daily basis by phone, email and carrier pigeon until they pay, which has always worked in the past.
But I've found trying to claim interest on late payments a waste of time.
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I should claim interest not give a discount!
| | | | | Ridiculous ... | Jul 4, 2016 |
... to even suggest such a thing.
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I am really stunned that there are colleagues that even think about giving a discount for late payments. Are translators stupid? The right measure for late payments are interests for delay!
| | | | | Post removed: This post was hidden by a moderator or staff member for the following reason: Requested by user. |
Even if you give a discount, a non-payer would always be a non-payer, and a prompt payer would always be a prompt payer without giving any discounts.
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 17:00
Spanish to English
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Not as a rule. However, I have done something similar on one or two occasions, basically to try to "shame" the client into paying. It worked, and they paid the full amount.
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| Certainly not! | Jul 4, 2016 |
I might agree to payment by instalments if the client owed a lot for a large job, and I could see they were really in difficulties, but trying to find the money.
A couple of years back, a client warned me before the deadline that she was going to have trouble paying the full amount on time, and we renegotiated the time scale.
But she paid in full, in fact earlier than the new deadline.
I have occasionally written off payments as too small to be worth any more hass... See more I might agree to payment by instalments if the client owed a lot for a large job, and I could see they were really in difficulties, but trying to find the money.
A couple of years back, a client warned me before the deadline that she was going to have trouble paying the full amount on time, and we renegotiated the time scale.
But she paid in full, in fact earlier than the new deadline.
I have occasionally written off payments as too small to be worth any more hassle, but would not actually give a discount. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Helen Hagon 
Local time: 16:00
Member (2011)
Russian to English
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| A slippery slope | Jul 4, 2016 |
If you do it once, you'll probably find yourself doing it again. It sends the customer a message that it's ok to pay late, and even encourages them to delay payment.
| | | | | Bankruptcy court? | Jul 4, 2016 |
The only hypothesis I could imagine would be a bankruptcy settlement.
| | | | Anne Bohy
France
Local time: 17:00
English to French
| Yes, I did it... and it worked! | Jul 4, 2016 |
I had a rather huge backlog with one of my customers, and at some point she explained that she had financial problems (I must agree that I was not careful enough, she had long payment delays, and was sending jobs rather often).
Then I decided to offer 20% discount if paid within a month, 10% if paid within 2 months, 5% if paid within 3 months, and to bring the case to Small Claims Court after that.
She was not able to take advantage of the 20% discount, but made two payments with 10%... See more I had a rather huge backlog with one of my customers, and at some point she explained that she had financial problems (I must agree that I was not careful enough, she had long payment delays, and was sending jobs rather often).
Then I decided to offer 20% discount if paid within a month, 10% if paid within 2 months, 5% if paid within 3 months, and to bring the case to Small Claims Court after that.
She was not able to take advantage of the 20% discount, but made two payments with 10% and 5% rebate.
I lost a little (less than 10% anyway) but recovered my money, which I would never have otherwise.
I was willing to refuse any other job from this customer, but I finally accepted some, and she has paid (more or less) diligently since.
Of course this may work with agencies which don't master their finances wery well, but not with dishonest ones.
[Edited at 2016-07-04 09:50 GMT]
[Edited at 2016-07-04 09:51 GMT] ▲ Collapse
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Neil Ashby
Spain
Local time: 17:00
Spanish to English
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| Where is the world's greatest translator platform taking us? | Jul 4, 2016 |
Why should "Proz" even suggest such a thing? Aren't they supposed to me looking out for our collective interests rather than undermining the value of our work, our position and our rights when faced with non-payers. In the EU, as soon as a payment is late we have the right to start charging late payment fees and, if necessary, collection fees.
"Main provisions of the Directive
Public authorities have to pay for the goods and services that they procure within 30 days... See more Why should "Proz" even suggest such a thing? Aren't they supposed to me looking out for our collective interests rather than undermining the value of our work, our position and our rights when faced with non-payers. In the EU, as soon as a payment is late we have the right to start charging late payment fees and, if necessary, collection fees.
"Main provisions of the Directive
Public authorities have to pay for the goods and services that they procure within 30 days or, in very exceptional circumstances, within 60 days.
Enterprises have to pay their invoices within 60 days, unless they expressly agree otherwise and provided it is not grossly unfair.
Automatic entitlement to interest for late payment and €40 minimum as compensation for recovery costs.
Statutory interest of at least 8% above the European Central Bank’s reference rate.
EU countries may continue maintaining or bringing into force laws and regulations which are more favourable to the creditor than the provisions of the Directive."
http://ec.europa.eu/growth/smes/support/late-payment/index_en.htm
Surely "Proz", if they are genuinely interested in freelancers as opposed to their commercial partners, should be promoting good payment practices rather than suggesting discounts for late payers!!!!! ▲ Collapse
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I would not even dream of it
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Helen Hagon wrote:
If you do it once, you'll probably find yourself doing it again. It sends the customer a message that it's ok to pay late, and even encourages them to delay payment.
That was my first thought.
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