To think this is unprofessional?

[PigeonEgg]

Recently taken on a new contract, I'm a freelancer. It's a small one, only a few hours a week.

I sent my latest invoice to the client/boss and he replied "Invoice received, I'll pay it ASAP, I'm waiting on a few other payments to come in."

This has shaken my trust in the client, it's unprofessional, why not just say 'Thanks I'll get that paid ASAP."

In case it's relevant, the amount is less than £300.

If he doesn't have an easily accessible pot for payments for such low amounts, it makes me feel uneasy.

Totally depends on the industry and how mature the company is. You have quite a black and white way of looking at things.

A youngish company in a growth phase will have very finely balanced cash flow but it doesn’t mean they can’t or won’t pay their bills when they fall due or within a reasonable period.

You could equally argue that a successful freelancer would not be desperate for payment within 5 days so be aware that you are sending your customer a message about yourself just as much as he’s sending you one about his business.

Personally I wouldn’t say that chasing someone for payment of of three figure invoice after 5 days was a very good impression to give either.

i would never chase anyone until someone was at least a month over normal terms, it gives the same impression that you are saying the client shouldn’t be giving. Lack of cash.

I don’t understand why it isn’t cash on delivery? I mean I see that it isn’t but most sales are at point of purchase. The theater and the grocery store don’t invoice you and wait 28 days.

I would wait and see if he pays within your set terms. And perhaps consider moving to 50% or all upfront.

You're reading things that aren't there, I haven't chased.

Those are the terms; completely normal in my field. In fact 5 working days is generous.

What on earth is your field?
I freelanced for years and it was 30 days as standard.

I agree that his response is weird.

As a side note, I work in Finance, in a company where cashflow is no issue, but we’d struggle to meet your 5 working days payment terms.

By the time the invoice is received, approved, processed, then the payment run prepared, authorised, uploaded to the bank, released from the bank, 3 working days to clear.. I think 5 days payment terms is very tight and I’ve rejected new suppliers with short payment terms such as this, just because it’s not practical for our processes and we’d always be missing the payment deadline.

I agree with ThankFitsFriday, in as much as it is /was up to the customer to tell op, upfront, that he would not be able to meet terms.
I don’t find short payment terms unusual, but the important part is reaching agreement before work starts/ service is delivered.