[REQUEST] Billing after a remote repair - Late Payments

[nlinecomputers]

http://occc.texas.gov/sites/default...redit-card-surcharge-alternatives-6-25-15.pdf

I guess I'm not understanding, item 3 on what you provided states Cash discount Section 339.001 prohibits surcharges for paying by credit card, but it does not prohibit discounts for paying by cash, check, debit card, or other methods. A surcharge is an increase from the regular price of a good or service, but a discount is a decrease from the regular price.

What i said was raise all your prices to the 4% and then offer a discount to those paying cash or debit as it allows.
Unless I'm missing something and if I am +1 to Canada

You can raise your prices to anything you want. You can't charge a separate fee on top of that price and offer a cash discount. And any price increase is also subject to CC interest.

 

[AML]

You can raise your prices to anything you want. You can't charge a separate fee on top of that price and offer a cash discount. And any price increase is also subject to CC interest.

I'm not saying that... your not charging a separate fee on top...... your discounting the regular price..... I'm obviously not being clear

The federal Truth in Lending Act allows sellers to have two prices (one for cash and one for credit), as long as the credit‐card price of the good or service is also the regular price. 15 U.S.C. §§ 1602(q), (r), (y), 1666f.

 

[AML]

Or just add your 4% to everything.

Offering a discount for cash suggests that some of your transactions may be off the books, which tells the client that perhaps you're not entirely trustworthy. You probably don't want to do that.

Maybe if i was new in business but after 22 years as a Brick and Mortar, and a Ltd company with onsite accounting department.
Offering a cash discount as long as they receive a receipt doesn't qualify as a shady practice, we have signs up that states our cash and debit policy. They pay the tax and we pay the government

 

[nlinecomputers]

I'm not saying that... your not charging a separate fee on top...... your discounting the regular price..... I'm obviously not being clear

The federal Truth in Lending Act allows sellers to have two prices (one for cash and one for credit), as long as the credit‐card price of the good or service is also the regular price. 15 U.S.C. §§ 1602(q), (r), (y), 1666f.

You are being perfectly clear. As long as you just charge a standard price you are allowed to offer any discount you want including a discount for cash. What you can't do is charge fee to use a CC. You can charge a service fee so long as you do it on ALL transactions and if you do you can't offer a cash discount.

 

[AML]

You are being perfectly clear. As long as you just charge a standard price you are allowed to offer any discount you want including a discount for cash. What you can't do is charge fee to use a CC. You can charge a service fee so long as you do it on ALL transactions and if you do you can't offer a cash discount.

I agree your absolutely right...

 

[BullFrogBill]

Out here in Cali, California where small businesses are outnumbered by bleeding hearts and liberals we cant do any surcharges. But yep I like that discount idea you suggest on the regular price.

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-ban-on-credit-card-surcharges-is-illegal-9th-circuit-says/

 

[Archon Prime]

Out here in Cali, California where small businesses are outnumbered by bleeding hearts and liberals we cant do any surcharges. But yep I like that discount idea you suggest on the regular price.

https://www.courthousenews.com/california-ban-on-credit-card-surcharges-is-illegal-9th-circuit-says/

Jesus... little late to the party.

 

[BullFrogBill]

Better late then never.

 

[ChrisB009]

IMO it depends on the client and your relationship. My suggestion - don't allow a few days of an unpaid bill to ruin your relationship. I have a client who may pay between 2 to 6 weeks. This client is a 16 yr client - would I ruin the relationship to get paid faster - absolutely not. I have also had clients I had to take to small claims court to collect monies owed. If I have to go the legal route I divorce them immediately - relationship is terminated permanently. If you can't run for several weeks without getting paid then build an account with some free cash flow to prevent the situation.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

If you can't run for several weeks without getting paid then build an account with some free cash flow to prevent the situation.

Or find better clients.

 

[ChrisB009]

I don't bill on-site or immediately. I typically send an invoice after the visit though snail mail which works for most of my clients.

 

[MDD1963]

I'll never understand you people. .

What do you mean, 'you people'..?!

 

[resolvetech]

I only work with businesses but my rule of thumb is everyone pays in advance of product or services. (esp. product). Never have anyone balk at that and if they do then their not worth your time. Your running a business not a charity. I actually had to email those exact words to a client.

 

[Diggs]

I only work with businesses but my rule of thumb is everyone pays in advance of product or services. (esp. product). Never have anyone balk at that and if they do then their not worth your time. Your running a business not a charity. I actually had to email those exact words to a client.

In this country you pay for services and goods after they are rendered. Why would tech services be any different? There is almost no industry that I can think of in this country that requires payment up front like you are doing. The ones that question it aren't worth my time? Really? Those are not only friends and neighbors that I see in the stores and around town but are the ones that bad mouth your company to everyone they know when they feel slighted.

 

[Slaters Kustum Machines]

In this country you pay for services and goods after they are rendered. Why would tech services be any different? There is almost no industry that I can think of in this country that requires payment up front like you are doing. The ones that question it aren't worth my time? Really? Those are not only friends and neighbors that I see in the stores and around town but are the ones that bad mouth your company to everyone they know when they feel slighted.

You can't get a computer from Amazon and pay for it after you receive it. For hardware/software we charge in advance. For some projects we charge in advance as well, especially if they are remote and we have never worked with them before. We also charge in advance for our managed service contracts. It's never been an issue for us.

 

[Diggs]

You can't get a computer from Amazon and pay for it after you receive it.

Sorry - I was thinking of professional services whether it be medical, auto, plumbing, heating, attorney, etc. Services are paid for after rendering. Sure, down payments are used for large jobs and equipment but I was referring to professional/technical services.

 

[resolvetech]

In this country you pay for services and goods after they are rendered. Why would tech services be any different? There is almost no industry that I can think of in this country that requires payment up front like you are doing. The ones that question it aren't worth my time? Really? Those are not only friends and neighbors that I see in the stores and around town but are the ones that bad mouth your company to everyone they know when they feel slighted.

I agree but what I've found in about 10 yrs. running an IT consulting business is that for some odd reason people think "IT and Computer folks" don't really need to get paid on time because what they are doing if "fun". Your just pushing a few buttons right? Not everyone but many. Much better to get a block of hours in advance or bill on 1st of the month. Then you don't have to worry about "I forgot to mail the payment". Now that being said my clients that mail checks sometimes it takes a week or two to get check. If it isn't in my bank account by the 15th they get an email. After one or two emails they get better or they don't get services from me (or I fire them and move on).

 

[resolvetech]

Also, even better if you're providing remote support like the original poster then use something like Paypal or Square and get your block of time paid before delivering labor. I've got a company that I work with three states away and they pre-pay ten hours via PayPal. I'm not going to wait for my money. Does your plumber wait for his money after he fixes your toilet? No, he hands you an invoice and you pay it on the spot.

 

[nlinecomputers]

I think you have to classify the types of service. Break-fix is paid for at completion of work. Monitoring is an unmetered service and is paid in advance much like your cable bill is. Merchandise(hardware or software) is paid in advance.

 

[Archon Prime]

Does your plumber wait for his money after he fixes your toilet? No, he hands you an invoice and you pay it on the spot.

My plumber gave me 30 days