Dirk: I've tried several things. The setup I eventually settled on was half on delivery (basically, when they can start using it), and half after a given time period. I NEVER upload or deliver code/graphics without at least some payment at time of delivery. What I have found is that 90% of my clients think (or appear to think based upon actions), that the Internet, and their web development/hosting, is a non-essential expense. And that cutting checks for such work seems to come last on their list, even if they are heavily dependent on their websites for income or important operational data, etc. I don't understand this attitude towards the Internet, hopefully it's just localized and that the rest of you aren't experiencing this.
What I've also found is that even if I have a contract, that if I deliver without pay, I will go 6 months or more before I see a check. So I have to get at least some out of them on delivery. No one will give me COD terms. Everyone seems hessitant on this. They say they are scared that if they pay all of it on delivery I will disappear and I won't support my product. I guess application developers have a bad reputation for this in these parts for pulling disappearing acts. Again, I don't understand it, but it's the general feeling amongst my prospect / customer pool, so I have to adjust. So I am nervous that they will never pay, and they are nervous that if they pay, I will magically stop taking their phone calls. So we meet in the middle. I would be curious what people in the rest of the States and around the world have experienced in prospect / customer attititudes lately. Are large companies behaving differently than small companies? This could be an interesting thread. Good luck. Nick [EMAIL PROTECTED] ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dirk Sieber" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "CF-Talk" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Thursday, April 11, 2002 1:23 PM Subject: OT: Payment terms > Hi everyone, > > This is a little off-topic, but I'm hoping some of you might be able to > give me some good advice. I'm going to be entering in a formal agreement > to perform some enhancement/bug fix work for a client on a casual, but > ongoing basis, and they're asking me for my payment terms. Now, in the > past, I've either always been paid COD, or been someone's employee, so this > is a bit new to me. :) > > I'd welcome comments on what everyone thinks is a 'fair' amount of time for > payment. My first thought was 1 week from delivery for bug testing - if > nothing is reported in that week, the client is assumed to have signed off > on the work (if they don't do so sooner), and payment is due within 30 days. > > Thoughts? Comments? > > Thanks! > Dirk > > ______________________________________________________________________ Structure your ColdFusion code with Fusebox. Get the official book at http://www.fusionauthority.com/bkinfo.cfm FAQ: http://www.thenetprofits.co.uk/coldfusion/faq Archives: http://www.mail-archive.com/cf-talk@houseoffusion.com/ Unsubscribe: http://www.houseoffusion.com/index.cfm?sidebar=lists
