Acceptable time before sending payment reminders and how to

what's an acceptable time frame before sending someone a reminder for an outstanding payment and what's a polite way of phrasing it?

(I work from home so I'm not some big corporation)

Posted: Thu, Nov 13 2008, 2:41 am Post subject:

I'd say the first reminder could be as soon as a week after the payment deadline. This could be just a phone call.

"Hi, this is so-and-so. I noticed that your last invoice is still unpaid, and I wanted to make sure you received it."

If it stays unpaid after 2 weeks (assuming a cheque is being sent in the mail), I'd think you could send a polite letter.

"Dear X,
Further to our telephone conversation 2 weeks ago, your last invoice remains unpaid. Please contact me at your earliest convenience to make arrangements to settle your account."

If another 2 weeks go by I think you could word it even more strongly.

"Dear X,
I would like to bring to your attention that your account is still outstanding. Should you not make arrangements to settle it within X time, please be advised that I will explore all avenues open to me to collect my outstanding fees."

If you have a work-in-progress you could also let them know that all work is being suspended pending receipt of payment.
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Gold Member Joined: May 24 2006 Posts: 1527

In general home based businesses should bepayed right away but in future maybe you shoudl include a payment date?

At this point if I were you I would send weekly reminders but 1 month would be the cut off b4 I woudl get very angry.

Is the person frum? Halachically you have 30 days. At least that is what my dry cleaner told me once. He never calls peopel b4 30 days because he siad it is the halacha. I didn't personally look it up.

I just got back and apology and an explanation that the accounts department apparently never received her correspondence.

I was really just asking in general what's an acceptable time frame but not very concerned about this particular person.

anyway thanks for your responses