> . I would recommend trying to find out how other companies find > them to deal with, get some references from them, do some back ground > checking to ensure that you aren't stepping into a problem that many others > have stepped into before you. Typically if they are bad payers they will be > known for it! > > . I haven't heard of this being done but another option for bigger > jobs could be to have the payment transferred to a third party in trust so > that it is confirmed that the money will be there when payment is required > be that a lump sum or progress payments subject to the client releasing it.
I agree with some of your points, however I think your answers will prove to be self defeating. If you start asking for references and stuff, the client will think 'who the hell are you' and move on to someone else. I think the best 2 options are - 1. Accept a percentage of loss as part and parcel of doing business -OR- 2. Change the business model One of the most successful web developer's I have met, doesn't have this problem, because he charges a nominal fee for some sites and gives away the rest. He gets his revenue from clipping the ticket every time a product is sold through one of the sites. Result - He has nil bad debts and his clients are always happy because he has provided them with something that *adds value* to their business (or they don't have to pay him a cent). If someone's business model is based on sales of several thousand dollars at a time, where their clients have 10-20x the 'normal' rate of business failure, is it any wonder they have a problem? Another web development company (Can't recall the name) was advertising on radio not long ago and they were offering a 90 day money back satisfaction guarantee. --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ NZ PHP Users Group: http://groups.google.com/group/nzphpug To post, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
