you atheist got way way bigger problems
Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
41–47 of 47 posts
Re: Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
#42If it was me, I would call and get straight on to their finance / billing team. Just chase it until they realise that paying is the easier option. Not in an angry way, more just stay on the phone until it's sorted, 'let's wrap this up today' kind of attitude.
It's too easy to ignore your e-mails and then there is such friction with replying after they have ignored you several times and think they are getting away with it.
Being based in the UK, I will follow up on your behalf if you want. I like getting this kind of thing sorted.
Re: Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
#43Random advice from the internet: The most useful thing you can do is a "mission debrief". + Identify what were the warning signs of non-payment. Sometimes they will be there from the start and the client never intended to pay. In longer relationships, non-payment is part of changing behaviors and often due to other financial stresses (this is how it tends to play out in economic downturns). + Identify the reasons you…
Thank you. This is great food for thought.
Re: Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
#44It's not a direct answer for you, but here's a long (40m), popular, talk that seems relevant. Mike Monteiro: F*ck You, Pay Me (explicit language). If you're interested, I'm pretty sure its been posted here a few times with discussion. It's actually a good video to watch periodically. https://creativemornings.com/talks/mike-monteiro--2/1 If you want a specific answer, skip to 11m20s
This is incredible.
Re: Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
#45UK small claims courts. https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money You can file your claim online if it's under GBP$100k (~USD$130k). There is a faster/simpler claims process if the amount is under GBP$10k (~USD$13k). Usually this is enough, however if it gets to the point where they have a court hearing and your presence is required (unlikely), then give someone right of attorney to represent you (eg. friend, law…
This might be hard if OP is outside the UK. If the client responds to the claim disagreeing (i.e. saying they don't owe money), then the next step will be a court hearing. The amount in questions is likely less than the time+money it would cost OP to go to the UK to attend such a hearing.
"You might have to go to a court hearing if the other person or business (the ‘defendant’) denies owing the money and you disagree with their response."
Re: Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
#46UK small claims courts. https://www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money You can file your claim online if it's under GBP$100k (~USD$130k). There is a faster/simpler claims process if the amount is under GBP$10k (~USD$13k). Usually this is enough, however if it gets to the point where they have a court hearing and your presence is required (unlikely), then give someone right of attorney to represent you (eg. friend, law…
This might be hard if OP is outside the UK. If the client responds to the claim disagreeing (i.e. saying they don't owe money), then the next step will be a court hearing. The amount in questions is likely less than the time+money it would cost OP to go to the UK to attend such a hearing. "You might have to go to a court hearing if the other person or business (the ‘defendant’) denies owing the money and you disagree…
I ended up filing with a debt collection agency in the UK. As an international client I lose 35% of whatever they collect but it still is worth it to me. The nice thing is that there are no other fees.
Funnily enough the client became very responsive after they found out we had legal representation in the UK. Still have not seen any money in the door yet.
Re: Ask HN: What to do if client ghosts and won't pay?
#47Earlier quoted context omitted.
I believe the term is "factoring". There are collection and similar companies that will buy your collectibles. In my experience, they will not buy a single collectible. Instead, you enter into a contract to sell your on-going collectibles. One company that I researched wanted 100% of my collectibles or none at all. It is a good arrangement to help with cash-flow, but in my experience the terms and conditions are such…
Factoring is a method of financing your business, say to buy raw materials to produce finished goods for sale. They want access to your receivables to make sure they are repaid. What the GP is referring to is a collection agency, where you sell a debt to them for $.10-$.30 on the dollar and they have all the rights to collect.
I ended up going with a no fee unless you win agency that keeps 35% of what they collect. Honestly, that seemed pretty fair to me.
I haven't seen results yet.