Hi Brian, Most levels of goverments are difficult because of the technocrap...
These days, we do a lot for various bodies of governments, and I've solved this problem by putting them COD. I was surprised to see that they didn't even flinch when I asked first, as most know how their payable depts are so slow to pay their suppliers. I make sure that the proper person gets my invoice I've prepared in advance, and I make sure they understand they have to provide me a check for that invoice at delivery - in our case, we do accept post-dated checks from them. In the case when my customers give me an answer such as "the cheque is in the mail", I ask them casually the date it was issued, the amount and the cheque number. Believe me, if they give you the run around, you'll know right away! In that case, tell them you'll be over their office to pick up the payment, since the postman obviously lost his way to your mailbox. (ahem... you don't say that, but you know what I mean... ;-) But make sure they understand you'll be there at their office (and make sure you will!). That said, it is more difficult for them to ignore you, as it is easier to "forget" about someone we never met. Oh - and the next order you get from these people, do ask them to give you payment for their past orders. Often, these people have no clue you haven't been paid, and will happily rattle some cage for you. They need the order... I hope this helps... Cheers! Sylvie Brian Savage wrote: >I'm wondering how everyone approached business with local governments. We do >alot of printing for fire departments and it seems like we spend half of our >time chasing down money. I am a full time firefighter, so I know that town >government moves at a crawl, but this is rediculous! We have had two >accounts in the past several months that are over 120 days on payment and all >we hear is that "the check is in the mail." > >Does anyone else have this problem? How do you deal with it? We are a small >shop and it is killing me to order thousands of dollars in stock, print it, >deliver it in a timely manner and then sit and wait months to be paid! > >Brian > > -- Sylvie Brucher _______________________________________________ Screenprinters mailing list [email protected] http://mailinglist.screenprinters.net/mailman/listinfo/screenprinters
