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Thread: Invoice dispute

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    Invoice dispute

    I have a dispute with a company refusing to pay an invoice.

    I have done work for this company since 2012 and invoiced them after every job, after which they always promptly paid.
    I advised of rates increases through email as well, never receiving reply but always paid without question.
    In June 2013 I invoiced this company with a new rate and continued with jobs for them and invoicing until October, when I learned after checking payments I was not paid in full. I queried this and in November 2013 they said they would not pay the rate on my invoices.

    I feel that they should have notified me that the new rate is not acceptable on receipt of my invoices, not letting me continue with work before the issue (that I was unaware of) was resolved.

    I have subsequently taken the money off them and they are now threatening with legal action.

    Do I have a foot stand on?

    Are there options for independent freelancers to get help or advice in these situations?

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    Platinum Member Marq's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stellenboscher View Post
    I have subsequently taken the money off them...
    How have you managed to do this?
    The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
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    Platinum Member desA's Avatar
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    Fire the client, or go & see them.

    Sometimes, a face-to-face chat can overcome a world of difference. If you still can't resolve the matter, then fire them. In today's times, there are so many worms coming out of the woodwork.
    In search of South African Technology Nuggets(R), for sale & trading in South East Asia.

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    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stellenboscher View Post
    I have subsequently taken the money off them and they are now threatening with legal action.

    Do I have a foot stand on?
    Was this payment properly authorised?
    (This would be based on whatever mandates and authorisation procedures are in place).

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    Diamond Member Blurock's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by stellenboscher View Post

    I feel that they should have notified me that the new rate is not acceptable on receipt of my invoices, not letting me continue with work before the issue (that I was unaware of) was resolved.

    I have subsequently taken the money off them and they are now threatening with legal action.

    Do I have a foot stand on?
    Pardon the sermon, but here goes;

    The answer is in the detail. One of the first rules in business is never to take any thing for granted. Check and check again! It appears as if they have paid you short for 3 months without you realising the short payment. Not good!

    Because things were allowed to go wrong over a period, there is now bad blood between customer and supplier. Rule #2, attend to matters timeously and preferably in person. You don't want to lose a paying customer.

    This leads to another question. Was the rate increase fair and market related? If rates increase on a monthly basis like the petrol price, it may annoy customers. Maybe if the reason for the increase was properly explained and communicated the problem could have been avoided.

    You have taken money off them. How? Was it legal? Who owes who at this point? What are the amounts involved?

    You have two options:
    1. Litigate to resolve the problem
    2. Pay a visit to the customer with the view of resolving the problem.

    Negotiate! Explain your situation and don't get worked up.

    You need the customer who has always paid on time.
    The customer needs you;a reliable supplier/service provider.

    No-one can afford to lose business just because we did not attend to the detail.
    Excellence is not a skill; its an attitude...

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    Diamond Member Justloadit's Avatar
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    I am with Blurock on this one. Good paying customers are getting harder to find, and more harder to find new clients willing to pay you your deserved rates.

    Make an appointment and go visit the customer and try and resolve this, even if you have to blame yourself for the misunderstanding, after all he helps you pay your bills.

    YOUR GOAL - keep the customer happy, and make them feel good about paying you your dues.
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    Gold Member Phil Cooper's Avatar
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    The Customer's always right, my friend,
    The Customer's always right!
    The son of a bitch may well be rich,
    So smile with all your might.

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