Getting paid up front

[Neetish]

I'm not sure if I should have posted this in the Events caeforum.xxxory but I'll try here first.

I was curious if anyone has requested payment for services up front for doing event massages for a business, party, or organization, etc...??? If so, what type of terms would you set, and has this been a problem for anyone?

I have become frustrated waiting for payments and being given some lame excuse for not being paid on time (or in my case, not being paid even "late" - Ha!) So, if anyone has some insight on this matter, please pass it on.


Thanks!
JoJo

 

[Bad Karma]

I think a request for a deposit is quite common.... I've seen some websites list it as 50%, some down to 25%. Maybe check what deposit food caterers require - different industry, but their phrasing would need to be similar, and they'd be doing it a lot more often, so have all the words covered.....

 

[Donna F]

You could have a policy where the first booking is paid pro-forma (ie up-front) and then after that on invoice. Other then that I think a deposit is a very good way of doing it.

Mat xxx

 

[vogonsrock]

i do maintenance plans for my regulars. i require them to pay and schedule in advance. i haven't had anyone complain. at least this way they don't have to worry about if they remembered their check book. :

 

[MikeL]

I think doing a deposit is a good idea..maybe 50% down? I'm even tempting with my clients to have them pay up front in case they try to leave and not pay but I haven't done that yet because I haven't had any problems with clients not paying plus, if they paid up front , I wouldn't get any tips.

Have a nice day!

Heather

 

[Pompal 09.]

Thanks to everyone for their great responses...You have provided me with some great tips and hopefully I will be able to enforce my new set of rules...

Please continue to send your responses!!

JoJo