Reply to: What kind of clients are you more satisfied with?

[gixxer]

In almost 10 years as freelance consultant I have only contracted directly...experienced only one case of bad payer and that was due to me continuing working even if I had already experienced delays. Reason: the client was a family connection and I had to work on "good faith"
Going back to OP question I love all my clients that pay on time I get sort of convulsions and skin rush when I sense monkey business in the air. 😨

[SueEllen]

Hmmm payment seems to be an issue.. How often do you lot run into such problems?

Would it be unreasonable to ask for some sort of retainer or initial deposit?

Solicitors do this sort of thing all the time. So why not contractors?

Late and non-payment problems are only real issues if you go direct or don't read your contract with an agency. Agencies tend to factor payments so you get paid before they do as long as you read your contract. In fact some larger clients insist on it, which means the agency gets screwed over if they go bust.

Solicitors and any professional that's regulated can only ask for deposits or retainers if they have a client bank account.

Builders do it mainly cos they need to get materials and they pay their subbies weekly. How you agree to pay your builder is a contract between you both e.g. mile stones met.

[fool]

Hmmm payment seems to be an issue.. How often do you lot run into such problems?

So there's quite a few tulips who hire contractors and because they feel that they don't need to pay them. Sadly it's not uncommon but on the bright side they're not that difficult to sniff out.

[SussexSeagull]

Ones who know the difference between Contractors and Permanent Employees.

[northernladuk]

Hmmm payment seems to be an issue.. How often do you lot run into such problems?

Firstly pay is the end goal of it all hence it being mentioned, maybe a bit tongue in cheek sometimes.

As to whether it's a problem depends on your attitude. Late payments happen all walks of life so if you see the odd couple of days late as part of the game and easily fixable then no it's not a problem. If the world falls out of your arse and you have to ask on here what to do everytime then yes it's a problem.
Late payment happens from time to time. Real problems with payments not so often.

Also in many cases it's the agents that pay us not the client hence me thinking some of the comments are a bit tongue in cheek.

Would it be unreasonable to ask for some sort of retainer or initial deposit?

Maybe not unreasonable but it will never happen.

Solicitors do this sort of thing all the time. So why not contractors?

There are probably a number of reasons but it's just different.

[ShandyDrinker]

Hmmm payment seems to be an issue.. How often do you lot run into such problems?

Would it be unreasonable to ask for some sort of retainer or initial deposit?

Solicitors do this sort of thing all the time. So why not contractors?

While a nice idea, the problem is that if you were to ask for a retainer/deposit as terms of business the agencies/clients would laugh and just move onto the next candidate.

Have only seen 1 major payment issue (agency didn't pay final invoice until threats were made) in 8 years of contracting but a number of minor ones such as late payments which seemed to happen more frequently when either direct or with smaller agencies.

[DanielSQL]

Hmmm payment seems to be an issue.. How often do you lot run into such problems?

Would it be unreasonable to ask for some sort of retainer or initial deposit?

Solicitors do this sort of thing all the time. So why not contractors?

[LondonManc]

Ones that pay weekly, not weakly.

[northernladuk]

I meant more along the lines of having competent management who understand how to use contractors and a clue about what they need them to actually do.

Ohh hell yes. Sorry I get you now. Absolutely.

[northernladuk]

I'm new,

Really. I'd have never guessed that reading your posts.

[seanraaron]

Those who hire many contractors and where people in the office are pleasant and helpful to each other.

Telecoms companies tend to be like this in my experience. People always thank you for your work.

True. As disorganised as C&W/Vodafone were, they were very good to work with on the managed service contract I was part of; especially when it was clear you were putting in the effort and not putting up barriers. The crew I'm with right now at CYB are good folks - mostly contractors, but helpful and sympathetic.

I've not worked in many bad environments thankfully. Hopefully that luck will hold!

[unixman]

Those who hire many contractors and where people in the office are pleasant and helpful to each other.

Telecoms companies tend to be like this in my experience. People always thank you for your work.

[seanraaron]

Those that pay.

I'm new, but I feel like I lucked out given I'm getting paid every week with minimal monkey-business. If I was looking for a permanent job I'd be concerned about career prospects and all that warm and fuzzy stuff, but this is just about getting paid for me. Hoping I can stick it out for another twenty years, but honestly I'm hoping for a lottery win first.

Bigger sounds better on paper, but I expect there are bad employers all around.

[DaveB]

Many of us would be out of a gig if they did. I bank on them not knowing so I can earn my crust

I meant more along the lines of having competent management who understand how to use contractors and a clue about what they need them to actually do.

[northernladuk]

The ones that know what they are doing.

Admittedly they are few and far between.

Many of us would be out of a gig if they did. I bank on them not knowing so I can earn my crust