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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be rude to this client

35 replies

ForMashGetSmash · 19/10/2010 09:31

I'm a freelancer and have various clients....I work from home. I invoiced a chap 2 weeks ago and he emailed me to say he hadn't got my bank details. I emailed him right back, apologised and included the info he needed.

Yesterday I saw he still hadn't paid his account and sent a very polite reminder...he emailed me back today and said something to the effect of

You have forgotten one thing again... BANK DETAILS!

John

I was like Confused Hmm Angry

Should I simply email him back attaching the original email that I sent with bank details...and politely say "Here they are...they were on the original"

Or should I say "THEY WERE ON THE ORIGINAL YOU RUDE MAN!

I have never had a client be rude before....I won't bloody have that! Or am I being over-sensitive?

OP posts:
ShatnersBassoon · 19/10/2010 09:34

I think he's made a mistake and forgotten that you'd sent them. Just email him the details again, and ask him to confirm he's received them.

purpleturtle · 19/10/2010 09:34

I think I would phone him with the details - no chance of him buying a bit more time with the excuse of not having them.

oliviacrumble · 19/10/2010 09:35

Maybe he's being deliberately evasive? 'Cheque's in the post' style?

I wouldn't get too stroppy while he still owes you money!

lollipopshoes · 19/10/2010 09:35

send him a copy of the original email, with the bank details also very clearly on your new email.

Say something like "I did put the bank details on the original email but I am sending them to you again in case there was some delivery failure with the original email. Can you give me an idea of when this account will be paid?"

YANBU by the way

pinkyp · 19/10/2010 09:36

maybe he didnt see the attachement?Maybe write all the info in the email and tell him you had sent him the information if the last email and if he has any further problems to phone you? personally i wouldnt be rude if he hasnt paid yet. Often things can be mis-read in writing so he might not of ment it how it sounded

Saltire · 19/10/2010 09:36

and put a "read receipt" on the email too!

Hassled · 19/10/2010 09:37

Just forward your original email back to him with a "I'm afraid this might have gone astray" note - he'll work out he's being a dick. Passive agression is far more effective than overt rudeness, I find.

Hassled · 19/10/2010 09:37

aggression, even.

Original poster
ForMashGetSmash · 19/10/2010 09:40

Yeah....I HATE being shouted at on emaails though. Annoying he owes me so much or I'd bloody give it right back! I reckon he has been stalling to Purpleturtle....why can't people just ask for a bit more time to pay I wonder? Or be honest and say they cannot pay until X date....at least I would know where I am.

OP posts:
minibmw2010 · 19/10/2010 10:04

I sometimes get emails like this from our head office in the US so I usually just attach my origial email and say please see original email sent whenever and I feel that's enough to get your point across perfectly.

warthog · 19/10/2010 10:06

he's playing for time.

simply forward the original email, don't write anything else. will speak volumes.

AlpinePony · 19/10/2010 10:12

Swallow it until you have the cash.

I would send the original email again and follow up with a phone call - as others have suggested, I feel he's buying time.

Smile sweetly, say something like "oh I know what it's like when you're so busy".

Do not cut your nose of to spite your face!

GetOrfMoiLand · 19/10/2010 10:13

Be passive agressive.

'I am so sorry, perhaps you didn't see them on this original email (attached)'

Don't rant at him, you want to get paid.

anonymousbrainsnatcher · 19/10/2010 10:16

Re-forward your previous email and say "As requested, I attach the bank details as set out in the message immediately below".

Yours etc. you fuckwit

(last bit optional)

madonnawhore · 19/10/2010 10:21

Forward him the original email you sent him with the bank details on it with a short note saying something like; "Again, details below as requested".

Don't you include them on the bottom of your invoices anyway??

estya · 19/10/2010 10:36

Reply as madonna suggests, perhaps forward the email you sent a while ago which contains your bank details and ask him to conform that he receives it.
If i was being a bitch (ie normally) I would ask him to confirm he'll be able to transfer the money this time, or to let me know if he is unable to make the payment straight away.

Presuming he isn't some sort of certifiable idiot, its not up to you to help him manage his inbox.

Original poster
ForMashGetSmash · 19/10/2010 11:16

I don't madonnawhore....I always give them seperately.

I sent him a polite email with the original attached...no response yet... the arse....we''ll see how he responds.

OP posts:
harassedinherpants · 19/10/2010 11:22

It's a delaying tactic - I hear it regularly! The modern equivalent of "the cheques in the post" unfortunately.

Seeing as you've replied, I'd leave it for today, and then phone tomorrow to confirm when he'll be paying.

Is he overdue, and by how long? As well as adding your bank details to your invoice, I would also make sure that your payment terms are stated.

anonymousbrainsnatcher · 19/10/2010 11:38

Yes, add the details to the invoice and put "Payment terms 7 days".

Entirely reasonable. Our family's business do that. 7 days is often not adhered to, but if you put 7 and most people achieve 14 then it's not too bad. If you put 14,21 or even 28 then people just let it slide, it goes to the bottom of the pile.... as they think they have time.

Mostly, it works. Though, there's always a few you have to chase down?!?!? And I don't deal with the money, but I know my SIL has had some right old excuses in her time!

fernie3 · 19/10/2010 11:47

Sounds like he is trying to delay payment we have had a few of these, we email them then call them to confirm they have had the email if they try this :) people find it harder to lie over the phone normally,

Original poster
ForMashGetSmash · 19/10/2010 16:32

Thanks for all the tips...I haven't been doing this for long...bit overwhelming turning into a part time debt collector too!

OP posts:
capricorn76 · 19/10/2010 17:15

Unfortunately freelancing has made me less trusting of people. I just don't believe people when they do things like what the OP has explained above with her client. I believe he's stalling. Once you've got the cash, don't continue to work for him, he's a liabilty.

When I first started off freelancing (small employer now) I had someone start off like that. Everytime I worked for them, they would take longer and longer to pay and I would feel like I had to beg for my money. Sometimes I'd have to wait 2 months. Finally one month, they decided to not pay me at all and stopped taking my calls and replying to my emails. I lost over £2k and couldn't afford to take them to court which I guess they knew was the case.

I am waiting until I've finished doing up my house etc and have spare cash because I know the law states that you can claim debts up to 7 years old. They haven't heard the last of me. Freelancing/self employed does have its rewards but it does leave you vulnerable to dodgy people. I would never not pay someone for work they've done for me, I just can't understand people who do this type of thing.

FindingMymOOOOOOOOjo · 19/10/2010 17:22

he's just made a mistake - I'd resend the bank details email. why so cross?????

FindingMymOOOOOOOOjo · 19/10/2010 17:24

I work for a small business - getting money out of even reputable companies can be a minefield/nightmare. Fine balance between kicking off & acknowledging you want/need to do business with this person in the future too.

Deep breaths

Original poster
ForMashGetSmash · 19/10/2010 17:31

Becaue his response was rude mymooojo....he shouted at me in text!

OP posts: