Poor Invoicing

Hi,
Having recently been looking into how to deal with and avoid future late payment issues relating to business customers I found the payontime website and this forum which has help me to get my invoices in order.

Unfortunately as a sole trader you need to be an expert in everything but law is not a strong point for me and my invoicing certainly needed improving and this I have now done.

Currently I have a business customer, for whom I provided an on-site proffesional opinion relating to a compensation claim, and my invoice was dated and sent to them on 16th August but as to date no payment has been received. On this invoice I stated that "As you do not currently have an account with us immediate payment is now requested" I also included full business details, their reference number and my invoice number.

What I now know to be stupidly omited was payment methods accepted and mentioning the 1998 LPCD act. Fortunately the amount owed is only a couple of hundred pounds but to me thats too much to be owed (having been ill for the last three years, but now better).

I e-mailed the person that received the invoice after one month to be told that he had left it on his desk and he appologised promising to pass it on to his principles and they would issue a cheque. I have e-mailed again last week but now get no reply.

Advice on the best way to procede would be greatly appreciated.

Hi - I would suggest, rather than sending an email, give them a call and ask (politely) when you can expect to receive the payment. It is more difficult to ignore a phone call.

Suggest electronic payment rather than a cheque - Christmas post etc.
I hope this helps.
Good luck, Chris

As Christine suggests, get on the phone and make contact with someone (preferably a cheque signatory or principal) and ask when you can expect payment.

If they don't pay your are still covered by the LPCD act even if you have not mentioned this on your invoice.

After speaking to someone on the phone if you haven't been paid in a week chase them up again and good luck :)