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I am so annoyed.
It all started with an email from someone who said his sister recommended me for resume writing. Those who run their own business know how valuable referrals are, and this would be the third referral from this previous client. I was delighted.
Per my usual process, I explained my services, my fee, and the information needed to get started. After I completed the first draft, we went through several rounds of iterations but not too many revisions. Once I completed and sent off the final updates, he was slow to provide his sign-off. It took several follow-ups before he at last emailed his approval of the finished document. I sent my invoice and have been waiting for payment since; 21 days and counting.
I generally do not ask for a deposit, though now I am starting to think I should. Clients typically pay as soon as the work is complete, so this delay threw me. I have followed up again and again by email and phone. He had refused the option of paying by PayPal. Today, for the second time, he claimed the check is in the mail. I’m skeptical and am already preparing myself for a write-off.
When I am disappointed in someone, I often obsess about it until I can understand it on some level. Yet, this is something I can’t comprehend. My husband, who used to work in Collections, does not seem at all surprised. He has many “The check is in the mail” stories. But it makes no sense to me. Why would an employed professional in his 30s behave like this? Just because he can? Is it a game to see what he can get away with? How does a grown man request a service, state that he is happy with the finished product, and then not only default on the payment but fabricate in writing that he sent it? How does such a person sleep at night? I don’t get it.
I feel like I’ve been robbed.
Gail's Blog 
That’s terrible. So unprofessional. I think requiring a deposit is a very reasonable thing. Maybe even signing a contract. Sorry this happened to you. 😦
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Thanks, Carrie. I finally received the check today. With cautious optimism, I am waiting for it to clear
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One bad apple ruining it for the bunch. Not a decent guy at all. I think a deposit is reasonable as well – as a client it wouldn’t deter me at all.
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Thanks for your perspective, Mo. I am headed in that direction for direct clients. One advantage of working through a broker like Upwork is that they hold the money in escrow and automatically release the funds to the freelancer if the client does not respond within a specified time period. The downside is the fee the broker collects. But situations like these remind me it can be worth it.
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Well, I certainly hope this situation doesn’t happen to you again. Enjoy your Friday and talk to you again soon. 🙂
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My son, who has his own freelance design business has had this happen several times and, with a young family to support the stress of having to follow up on outstanding payments is considerable. Clients who know how much time has gone into a project will,then just ‘go quiet’ when the invoice has been sent.
He found that deposits became essential except in the case of known and trusted clients because of work carried out that he was never paid for.
Glad your payment came through and, as my son says, despite the problems he has had there are plenty of genuine people out there!
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Thanks, Wendy. I, too, believe there are more ethical people out there than not. I have had clients actually initiate the question of form of payment before I had a chance to send the invoice. I see that as a sign they value my work. In that sense, I suppose I take a delayed payment personally. Unlike your son, freelancing is my sideline, so for me it’s more a matter of pride than financial need. But, in any case, it’s simply not right. Thank you for sharing your story.
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