For the first couple of years of being in business, every part that arrived here for me to work on was accompanied by a payment for the amount of my initial quote, and usually also covered the return shipping. As my reputation built and the word spread, I've been getting busier ... especially over the last few months.
Now it seems that everything that shows up is accompanied by a note that says "Just let me know what I owe you when you're done."
Please don't misunderstand ... I really REALLY appreciate your guys' confidence in my abilities and the fact it doesn't really seem to concern anyone what I charge for my work, as my bill is eventually paid when the job has been finished for a few days. But what this does to me, as a small business owner without any other source of income, is to leave me with no working capital whatsoever to actually get your parts done. I have to rely on payment from the customer ahead of you to cover my expenses to do your work and get your job shipped out to you. One late payment from the last guy and I'm left scrambling.
The Pricing & Shipping page of my website contains a lot of information, I know, but this paragraph is important.
Now it seems that everything that shows up is accompanied by a note that says "Just let me know what I owe you when you're done."
Please don't misunderstand ... I really REALLY appreciate your guys' confidence in my abilities and the fact it doesn't really seem to concern anyone what I charge for my work, as my bill is eventually paid when the job has been finished for a few days. But what this does to me, as a small business owner without any other source of income, is to leave me with no working capital whatsoever to actually get your parts done. I have to rely on payment from the customer ahead of you to cover my expenses to do your work and get your job shipped out to you. One late payment from the last guy and I'm left scrambling.
The Pricing & Shipping page of my website contains a lot of information, I know, but this paragraph is important.
"If you are not using paypal, please include a check or U.S. Postal Service money order inside the box with your parts for the full amount of your quote, plus the funds necessary to ship your parts back to you when they are finished. (For example, if your quote is $50 and UPS is charging you $8.53 to ship your parts to us, your check should be made payable to "Phoenix Specialty Coatings" for $58.53.)
...
We will begin your work if you include at least half of the quote amount with the parts, billing you for the remainder and all return shipping charges when your parts are finished. ..."
Now guys, I don't mind working with anybody, but please understand this has been leaving me in a bind for several months and it's kinda getting old. If I was independently wealthy and did this just for something to do to keep me out of trouble, it wouldn't be that big of a deal. But this is my profession, and Billy doesn't have a job at all.
Out of the 19 jobs I have here right now, 18 of them are for FABO members and more than 85% were not accompanied with any payment at all.
Please don't get me wrong!!! I absolutely LOVE working for FABO members and, to date, have really had no collection issues [knocking on wood LOL], but including at least half of what I expect your job to cost when you send me your parts would make life a lot easier for me. Paypal is all fine and good, but it takes almost a week to convert a paypal payment into actual cash in hand. Unfortunately, my suppliers -- blasting media, powder, sand paper, silicone, etc. -- do not accept paypal.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your understanding. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or need clarification about any of this.
And no, I'm not PMSing ... I'm just broke. When I run outta cigarettes in a couple days, the $hit's really gonna hit the fan. :-D :-D :-D :-D
Out of the 19 jobs I have here right now, 18 of them are for FABO members and more than 85% were not accompanied with any payment at all.
Please don't get me wrong!!! I absolutely LOVE working for FABO members and, to date, have really had no collection issues [knocking on wood LOL], but including at least half of what I expect your job to cost when you send me your parts would make life a lot easier for me. Paypal is all fine and good, but it takes almost a week to convert a paypal payment into actual cash in hand. Unfortunately, my suppliers -- blasting media, powder, sand paper, silicone, etc. -- do not accept paypal.
Thank you for taking the time to read this, and for your understanding. Please don't hesitate to let me know if you have any questions or need clarification about any of this.
And no, I'm not PMSing ... I'm just broke. When I run outta cigarettes in a couple days, the $hit's really gonna hit the fan. :-D :-D :-D :-D
