IHRWT, but I thought to add my voice as I am one of those people who pay ALL invoices within 5 minutes. Yup, unless I can see a glaring error, I just pay. Sometimes I may ask for an explanation if a bit unclear and I have time to wait for a reply- I travel a lot- but others, I will pay a regular supplier and then deal with any query I might have afterwards as I believe in refunds too.
HOWEVER, and it is a big however- and this is why I am posting to really to tell all of you who do not pay within 2 to 24 hours that it is really rude, bad and not honourable or professional ( although I am aware some people don't care about not looking professional or honourable- wealthy or otherwise)- I live in Chelsea.
Right, I come from a wealthy family and I once worked in a country where everyone (99%) got paid at the end of the month. Therefore, at the end of the month, the high streets were always chocker block busy- heaving! I would always question why today the high streets ware packed, as I obviously didn't rely on month end to month end money. I just never got used to the sudden busyness.
I was very young when I moved to London. I was looking for accommodation as was staying with diplomats, but the lady who got me my first job ( and she was lovely) stated she had a room and if I wanted to move in- Of course I had no knowledge of renting rooms, but I wanted somewhere secure for my belongings for when I would travel abroad yearly. So, as I was young, sometimes I would pay her rent (not a huge amount as the room was small- really tiny but the arrangement was convenient to me), sometimes I would pay the day after rent was due, or 2 days after and possibly 3 days after ( basically, whenever I remembered- cash points were even 5 mins from the flat). I mostly paid on time. I don't believe she ever commented on this. However, one day, an older lady (not by much- maybe 6-7 years) I respect so much and eventually made me a Godmother to her twins (sons), visited me nearby - This lady had lived it all ( wealth- divorce- homelessness ( a bit) etc etc and picked herself up and restarted and bought her own house etc etc and she had tenants too). I must have said something like: "I need to pay rent but she can wait as it is money for nothing- I was never there as worked all hours and only boiled eggs or cooked vegetables)- Yes, I was young, naive and have only lived one life by then. This visiting lady just said: "Give other people, their money'. And there and then, I realise the caviller approach to paying rent, was unacceptable and I ceased the behaviour forthwith. I thank that lady who could tell me things honestly as she knows I am a good person and was just not thinking. It just never occurred to me, it was abhorrent behaviour, which really it was.
Also, whist training to become a solicitor in a large firm, we relied heavily on barristers ( who are self employed- I am now a barrister). So, the company made it a disciplinary matter if you fail to pay a supplier within 30 days of the invoice. Yup, that serious, after requests and reminders that invoices should not be shelved and people still continued doing it. The process is, if I instructed a barrister, it was my responsibility ( together with line manager), to check the invoice corresponds with the fee agreed and that the job has been done ( or it is continuing and this is invoice 1 of possible a few more to come)- as you can see, only the person with knowledge of the request for service and the delivery, can know (sometimes you get an invoice but on closer look, it has been paid and the reminder that you have, was sent automatically and possibly crossed with the money being reconciled at their end. You then sign and date anywhere on the invoice that it is checked and confirmed and it goes to the department that pays the invoices.
Luckily, by the time I was at the firm, I was already whipped into shape by the lady friend and I was now the one who didn't understand why pp had to be asked multiple times. I realise that people just have bad habits when it comes to settling invoices whether it is their money or an organisation's money. So it is a behavioural problem (coupled with entitlement- yes, I can speak) which I implore all you on this thread who don't pay as quickly as you can - treat it like your DR's appointment, will you?!- please change forthwith. I thank you.
You do not need to know your cleaner needs her money in that moment in order for you to pay it. She has given a service, you pay immediately. It is not even a favour you are doing, but complying with common decency.
Even tax, I once paid a huge chunk which i knew was not correct, but I paid first and they really just refunded me upon receiving my first letter requesting my money back and I made it clear in the letter i was aware of the error by them but decided to pay on time and deal with the refund.
To close off, I have recently been irked by a regular supplier who requested additional amount in error ( not much, but it is the principle) and when i queried, after I paid- I was travelling at the time I paid- they admitted the error but 'decided' they would put it on my 'separate' account and not refund me- for the year as it will be swallowed up. I was properly incensed as I don't believe they have the right to decide what to do with my money. So, I took 2 weeks to pay their next invoice as I also wanted to test their arrears policy ( as I believe they are not on top of it- and I am responsible for ensuring they do, in another capacity)- none chased me. However, they have just ruined my relationship with them as I believe by paying within 5 mins as I do, it helps with their cash flow ( not my problem) while they can still hold my excess money. So treat people how you want to be treated. Next one, I will take 3 weeks and finally push them to 4 weeks as they are getting some interest from the small amount they hold- they are a small company.
Anyway, treat people how you want to be treated. All my clients pay on time and I deliver their work, also on time.