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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To want my invoices paid

23 replies

Opendraw · 01/04/2020 09:29

Like everyone struggling with money. I’m self employed and had several invoices due payement before all this kicked off. 3 clients that owe me money have furloughed their employees and frozen payments. Leaves me with no money and no work. Will these ever be paid what is everyone else doing ? Would you chase them on the outstanding invoices or just wait. These are clients I’ve worked with for a long time.

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hardboiledeggs · 01/04/2020 09:36

I wouldn't necessarily chase them. Depending on the relationship you have with them, maybe be honest and ask if it would be possible to pay them as you are struggling. Given they've been your clients for a while maybe they will be happy to help.

Clymene · 01/04/2020 09:39

It's not helping hardboiledeggs - it's paying the OP for work she's completed.

Yes I would definitely chase. Earlier rather than later! Your invoices are probably a small part of current liabilities so be a pain and then they can tick one off their list.

Opendraw · 01/04/2020 09:42

Yes it is work I completed the invoices are not massive but collectively add up to a large sum. Also I’ve never had a bad debt so no idea what you do for the tax return 19/20

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JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 01/04/2020 09:50

I've had 3 clients just stop communicating now, it's making me very angry because I need to know if they want me to continue working or not. I've also had two put their jobs on hold which is fair enough but I want to be paid for the work that I've done to date but again, they've gone quiet now that an invoice has been issued.

When this is all over, there is no doubt that they will want me to jump straight back on their projects but I will be prioritising those who carried on being decent people.

stairgates · 01/04/2020 09:53

Same here 3 unpaid invoices, self employed. We completed a job on Thursday and watched the bank in hopes of being paid, luckily it came through Monday so that will tide us over for the month. we sent a message to the other customers asking if at least part payment could be paid, 2 no reply and 1 sent apologies saying they are working on it. Tough times for all sadly :(

Opendraw · 01/04/2020 09:55

So frustrating JustHere I was wondering about that too I have 2days on a project that’s now on hold (only after I emailed to ask about my invoices) so was wondering if I should invoice but it’s same company who have frozen their payments. It wouldn’t be so bad but none of them have been upfront and while I have a relationship with the people I deal with they are employees not the decision makers.

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Opendraw · 01/04/2020 09:56

That’s a good idea stairgates but now the furloughed employees are not allowed to respond I should have asked earlier but one said end of month but now frozen.

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JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 01/04/2020 10:02

My Ts&Cs state I will invoice monthly, in reality I never invoice until I have completed the work but, at times like this, having that clause makes it easier to send an invoice. Whether they pay or not is another matter! Definitely invoice for the work you've completed to date.

Pinksmyfavoritecolour · 01/04/2020 10:24

We’re the same, we’re in the construction trade, the weather in jan and feb caused sites to fall behind, now a lot of sites are closed, so we’re not getting the money in, and if we don’t pay our suppliers, we run the risk of not being supplied in future or our credit limit being reduced, it’s so stressful.

furrytoebean · 01/04/2020 10:27

I have 3 invoices now due from November/December/January
They are a global business and I am tiny. It really boils my piss. The bigger the company the shitter they are at paying you in my experience.

VBT2 · 01/04/2020 10:27

Realistically, they probably just don’t have the cash flow to pay you. I’d keep chasing long term as they still owe you the money, but I’d give up much hope of getting paid in the short term. Everyone is affected.

If they go under, you can write it off as a bad debt against your tax bill. But hopefully it’s just a temporary freeze and they’ll pay you once all of this finally blows over.

JustHereWithMyPopcorn · 01/04/2020 10:50

VBT2 mine are private clients who should have the money to pay before they engage me. If they don't pay small businesses then it's likely those businesses might not be there in six months when this blows over.

AlwaysCheddar · 01/04/2020 11:44

I’d suggest you look at the contract and see what it says about payment of invoices. Depends on the client - if they are big and/or recently paid bonuses to staff and shareholders, then chase fir payment, perhaps smaller clients chase gently saying you won’t add interest on late payments due next x weeks?

junecat · 01/04/2020 12:48

The business I work for has been closed as hospitality based but I'm still going in once a week to collect post and process supplier invoices and payments. We are processing trades people and self employed straight away and the same day for those who email invoices. I'm sorry this isn't happening for you :(

Opendraw · 01/04/2020 13:22

I never supplied contracts going forward I think I will take partial payment. These are all big clients I think you are people who are smaller tend to pay better . Sounds like there is a lot of us in this boat. Good on you Junecst to prioritise I hope they don’t see the government help as an excuse to not bother :-)

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sportinguista · 01/04/2020 13:22

I'm trying to get one that has been dragging on paid too, mine are in Oz so not as badly affected as here so you'd think it would be fine. They're not a small biz either. I suspect I will eventually get it but when that will be is anyone's guess!

Quickquestion2020 · 01/04/2020 13:24

We've got the same problem. People pay via direct debit mostly, keep getting emails from our company saying people are cancelling. Just wish they'd bloody ring us! Most are in contracts but what are we gonna do, take them all to court? We'll be bankrupt in 3-6 months max at this rate!

ilovecakeandwine · 01/04/2020 13:26

I work in finance I'm furloughed, you probably not got much chance getting paid until after lockdown. Sorry but most people not working and they are probably waiting to be paid themselves . If you keep chasing they will pay eventually but be prepared to wait .

Opendraw · 02/04/2020 23:30

Yeah I think it’s unfair to make me wait to be paid for work they have had and I’ve completed. Even in the midst of this pain no one expects to go and get their milk for free for example. I do know if I want to works with these guys when this is all over

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Opendraw · 02/04/2020 23:31

Pain = pandemic

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furrytoebean · 03/04/2020 09:08

I managed to get my invoices paid yesterday by contacting a higher up in the company and explaining that the payment terms were way overdue, that I had done the work and deserved to be paid, and that they had just sent me a request for me to do more work with them and I wasn't going to do it until they paid my invoices.

Toomuchgoingon · 05/04/2020 13:18

We are making sure that we are still paying suppliers especially if they are smaller cos or individuals. It may just take us a bit longer due to everyone working from home so process takes longer. Invoices need to be received, scanned to approver, sent back, sent to the finance dept, then payment set up and needs to be approved.

What could be done in potentially a hour or two, now can take a week. Having said all that, firms ignoring you or just not paying you isn't fair

FourEyesGood · 05/04/2020 13:53

I accidentally clicked YABU but I don’t think you are - sorry! Blush

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