Late Payments

Most of us have a spot in our contracts saying that the remaining balance is due

on a certain date before the wedding. When that date pops up, do you remind

your brides with an email or phone call, or do they usually remember? What do

you do when payments are late?

I usually send a reminder, then follow up if I don't have the payment on time.

However, I've done both recently and still have no payment for a wedding in a

few days. At this point, if it's mailed I probably won't receive it before the

wedding. I will accept a check at the wedding, but hate having to ask for it.

What do you do in situations like this?

I usually don't sweat it. I show up, shoot the wedding, and with-hold the proofs until the final payment is made.

If payment is not supplied by the day of --you have the film or files...I simply let them know the film or digital will not even be processed or viewed until full payment..it is in their hands. Generally :: the protocol is ~ the best man has the checks for all the vendors.

I call them... If I haven't received a check 2 weeks before as stated in my contract I will do this.

 

I start with small talk, remind to send me their their itinerary, and then gently remind them/ask if they've sent their final payment. I always let them know that I hate to bother them about it. But I also let them know that I understand how tight money is the closer the wedding gets, and that I want them to enjoy their day, I explain how much I dislike bothering couples for money on their special day, and that it's a benefit to both of us if it's paid off ahead of time....

 

Haven't had trouble with it yet.....

And yep, like c jo.... I would show up.... shoot, but wouldn't do anything further until payment received and cleared.

This is why payment conditions are stated clearly in the contract, and why I go over those terms with the client in detail.

 

1. 25% non-refundable booking fee.

2. Remaining balance due two weeks before the event.

3. If no payment is received, I will show up at the event and give the couple the option to keep my services - for cash. (I'd also probably take a check, but would do nothing with the photos until the check clears.) I would do nothing at the event until paid.

 

Clients will expect you to uphold your end of the contract, they should do likewise.

I also have it stated in the contract that it's due 2 weeks before the wedding. I send an invoice showing payments made and balance due so it arrives about 3 weeks before the wedding, with a due date on it.. Rarely is it a problem. If it is...then I ditto CJ's answer.

We charge a late fee of $50 per week. An additional $50 is assessed on bounced checks.

This is clearly written in the contract and on the bottom of all of the statements we send

out.

 

We have never had a late payment or a bounced check.

 

We send out a payment reminder about a month before it's due. If we need to, we send

another reminder the week before the payment is due.

 

Most of our clients provide a CC number on a pre-authorization form, and we bill their

card for each of the three payments.

We worked on 50% at contract: 35% at 6 weeks prior; 15% upon receipt of all goods.

 

 

We had slight variations of the above, when I was working earlier this year the new owners had a 75 / 15 / 10 split.

 

 

No reminder is necessary, the customer wanted to see the previews.

 

 

More detail is in my answer here:

 

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00KVbJ

 

 

On the above thread I withdraw my answer: (Mar 28, 2007; 08:49 p.m.) which begins:

 

`Mr Barrett wrote: > Have you ever noticed . . .

 

 

The reason for withdrawing the comment above is found here:

 

 

http://www.photo.net/bboard/q-and-a-fetch-msg?msg_id=00M6cT

 

 

(Aug 05, 2007; 10:37 a.m.)

 

 

WW

My contract says that I'm paid on the day, so many people 'forget' that I now have a 50 GBP late payment fee.

I always operate a 10% deposit and payment 8 weeks prior, never had a problem. I know it's a long time but most UK venues etc do the same. That way it's done and dusted and you can continue your relationship with the couple without the 'money' issue. And if they don't pay you have plenty of time to talk about it and even renegotiate the package if money is a problem.

 

Venues, caterers etc of course simply don't turn up unless paid! We, however are treated like late 19th century tailors when 'one never pays one tailor!' was a common phrase.

We have found this season that late or bad payment has been more of a problem than in any other time of our business life.

 

We do thirds, 1 at contract, 1 before the event and final on proof delivery. It is usual for clients to return the second with their confirmation paperwork or at a final meeting but a few pay on the day even though the contract says BEFORE the event day.

 

In all circumstances if there is no payment I shoot and then do nothing till the payments are received and credited.

 

It is not uncommon for the photogrpaher to get stiffed. Somehow of all the vendors we as a group seem most to be treated as the "they can wait to be paid" gang. Probably partly our own fault but still a growing problem.

 

Credit card pre approval to bill is one option that works for some but some are reluctant to provide that.

 

I can not imagine anyone who has never had a payment issue with some client! My policy is once I forgive-bad check, late etc but after that it is all cash and prepay for any add ons to the contract.

 

Brooke

It seems to me that, for photographers who accept a final payment AFTER the wedding, it

is very common to not receive that payment on time.

 

We require payment in full before we begin shooting on the wedding day. Most of our

clients choose to pay their balance before the wedding day just to get it out of the way.

For those who don't, we accept a check or CC form when we arrive to shoot.

 

We have NEVER, EVER had ANYONE not pay us on the wedding day.

 

When you make your payment schedule flexible, you open yourself up to people taking

advantage of you.

>>> It seems to me that, for photographers who accept a final payment AFTER the wedding, it is very common to not receive that payment on time. <<< (AA)

 

 

I agree there are always compromises to the way things are structured and any payment after the event has this factor as a down side.

 

But: I think in this regard the issue of not being paid on time, depends on other factors within the model: the % amount owing AFTER the Wedding and the total $ fee are the key factors.

 

We did not have a problem with 15% after: presently there is no problem with 10% after: in fact many now pay the extra 10% at 6 week prior, as the customer sees this as an easier option..

 

I have outlined previously the advantages in having an amount payable after the event, albeit small.

 

 

 

>>> When you make your payment schedule flexible, you open yourself up to people taking advantage of you.<<< (AA)

 

 

Agree 100%.

 

 

But such should not limit one staying in control of the business and thus being able to be flexible, in any area of the business, if the circumstances require.

 

 

The difference is: which `who` is controlling the `what` and ` when`.

 

 

WW

" I will accept a check at the wedding, but hate having to ask for it. What do you do in situations like this?"

 

Stacy -

 

 

Business is business. Do not hesitate to ask that contract be fulfilled. Would they do the same with the caterers, flowers, venue? No way.

 

If they' have negotiated the best deal for themselves and you're in agreement, then they need to pony up. Problem is that many couples go on long honeymoons and sometimes return short of funds. You may get run around weeks on end.

there is another issue to think about where payment is concerned. if you ask for the money up front there is a danger of losing business. i would not be happy paying someone up front for an uncompleted job which may or may not be successful. what chance does one have of geting a refund if a cowboy, photographer or other trade, screws up.