Idea for guaranteeing payment is received..

[callthatgirl]

Me: "OK, client...we're about done here. Your printer is all set up and should be working now"

Client, "Great, it's working! You are awesome!"

Me: "I'm totally awesome, now just go hit that log off button for me please"

Client, "will do"

Client "oh weird, my computer won't take my log in password"

Me: "ok, now you are locked out your computer until you pay me the rest of my money"

Client,

Me:

Nope, not a good idea.

 

[Cambridge PC Support]

Of course it depends on the kind of people you do work for and the area you're in. But compare how many people will shaft you over payment against the number of people you'll seriously p**s off by using your proposed method.

About 95% of my payments are with cheques, and in 8 years I've had very very few bouncers.

 

[kevinjhaag]

Sounds like a bad idea and probably wouldn't work. Whats to stop them to pay someone else a quick $15-25 to remove the password instead of paying you? Hell...With a little research on Google they might figure it out how to do it on there own too. Plain and simple for me. If they don't pay... don't be calling for help. If they do, then I need a payment for the balance they owe me plus today's service too. But I really haven't had the problem in my business so far... Knock on wood =)

 

[Mr.Mike]

So I guess what Im getting at is, have a look at some established T&C's, get yours airtight, vet the legals, and then give it to every single customer every time you provide a service. This will go a long way toward making sure (a) you get paid and (b) lessen the chance you will be sued if something goes wrong...

+++1 to this. Go to the County office where you get your business license and ask about existing laws. In fact, quote the county law word for word in your T&C's to avoid confusion.