Rant: My main client's payment system crashed last Thursday and they said it might be 30 days before I see the $2,800 they owe me.

I'm debating whether to pause all work for them until it's fixed or keep going to stay on good terms, so what would you do in this spot?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_lucas2mo ago

Check if this is the first time they've had a payment issue or if it's a pattern. A one-time tech problem is different from a company that's always slow to pay.

grantl942mo ago

Would you keep working for a client who can't pay you? I used to just keep going, thinking it was good for the relationship. But after getting burned a few times, I agree with @the_lucas. You have to look at the pattern. Is this a real tech crash, or are they just bad with money? A good client fixes payment problems fast. If they say it will take 30 days for a system fix, that's a big red flag. I'd pause all new work until that money is in my account.

finley7771mo ago

Hard lesson learned, but cash flow tells you everything about a client's real priorities.