A repeat client eventually pays every invoice, but the last three were several weeks late. Now they want another project and are surprised I'm asking for a deposit. I value the relationship and don't want to make the conversation personal. My draft explanation is that I use the same upfront payment terms for projects of this size, with milestones for the remainder. Does that sound reasonable, or should I be more direct that payment history is why the terms changed?
Asking for a deposit from a repeat client after previous late payments
- freelancing
- asking
- deposit
- repeat
1
1 reply
I’d keep the reason out of the first sentence and make it about your standard terms. You don’t need to litigate their payment habits to just...
I’d keep the reason out of the first sentence and make it about your standard terms. You don’t need to litigate their payment habits to justify protecting your cash flow.
I’d go a bit further and be direct that the terms changed because the project structure and past payment timing both matter. “Standard upfront deposit for this scope” sounds clean, but a repeat client will usually read between the lines anyway.
0 replies
If they’re surprised, that’s fine. Surprise isn’t the same thing as disagreement, and repeat clients do adjust to new boundaries.
If they’re surprised, that’s fine. Surprise isn’t the same thing as disagreement, and repeat clients do adjust to new boundaries.
2 replies
Be plain. If you hide it too much, they may think deposits are optional and will try to bargain around it later.
Be plain. If you hide it too much, they may think deposits are optional and will try to bargain around it later.
Yeah, I’ve had better results being calm and specific: deposit first, milestone schedule, no exceptions for this project size. People usually accept a rule faster than a personal explanation.
And if they push back, that tells you the new terms are the actual discussion. I’d rather have one awkward email now than chase three late p...