> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Barry Lee Brisco
> Sent: Thursday, March 04, 1999 11:02 PM
> ... how do I ask to get paid? I'm a little reluctant to start
> working for a new, small, unknown company with no money in
> advance. Do I ask for a retainer in advance?
My philosophy is that it works both ways. Why should a small,
cash-poor startup risk paying me a week's bill in advance
when I might just take the money and stop returning their
calls? That $4-5K might be all the cash they have.
> Do I invoice them
> after a week and ask it be paid immmediately?
That would be my choice, but put into the contract that you can
do this and can stop working until you receive payment. Tell them
that you have no reason to distrust them, but that you've been
burned before and your lawyer insists that you do it this way.
After a couple of weeks of satisfactory payment, back off
to billing them monthly and accepting payment within 30 days.
(The contract shouldn't REQUIRE you to do weekly invoicing
and stop work until paid, but only give you that option.)
Specify in the contract a reasonable interest rate for bills
more than 30 days old, say 18% APR, so that they'll have some
incentive to pay.
Companies take risks, and you are -- formally or informally --
operating as a company just as they are. Your rates should have
taken into account the possibility that customers will stiff you
and go bankrupt. I'm personally uncomfortable with demanding
payment up front; it just doesn't feel "business-like."
Bob Munck
Mill Creek Systems LC
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