Re: Received $600 for a $1200 consulting gig: need advice

Sorry for checking in late on this. I suggest the following
A. Focus on your objective: getting back on track, meaning bringing the
terms back to your original agreement.
B. Compare your options to your objective. Not knowing your situation in
detail, but building on what you've reported, here's how I'd compare the
options you present:
1. Say nothing.--This tacitly accepts the change in terms and invites future
changes. I wouldn't go there.
2. Send an invoice--I like having an invoice, but sending it cements the
change in terms. You may not be in the practice of providing written
invoices, but this customer clearly expects them. I'd follow his lead here.
3. Send an e-mail and ask--More direct, but I agree with Doug's earlier
suggestion not to use email. I like to use e-mail to convey what is
unequivocably good news (that is, news which cannot be interpreted as bad,
even by the most twisted of minds) or to document or confirm a discussion.
4. Send an e-mail and don't ask--Colder. See number 3.
5. Other:

Your customer asked you for an invoice. Write it up, along with the invoice
for the rest of November and an invoice for the month of December, then
schedule a discussion with him.

In your discussion, state up front that you value and appreciate his
business and hope for to establish a continuing relationship. Then state
that you are confused by the change in terms and would like to understand
his perspective. Then listen. Paraphrase back what you hear him say to
confirm that you have understood what he says. This may happen quickly. For
example he may say something like, "this is how I pay all of my
consultants," and you might respond with "I see, you prefer to split your
payments in two, is this correct?"

After it is clear that you understand his perspective, you could could thank
him for clarifying, then follow up with a clear statement of your position
"when I agreed to a discount rate for an exteded period, it was under the
terms we had discussed of payment in advance." Engage his discussion to
ensure that he understands, then move to the second step: Presenting the
invoices.

I would present the invoice that he has already paid you for first, marked
paid.
Follow it with the invoice for the second half of November, with payment
terms clearly marked.
Finally, I'd pull out the invoice for December and ask when he would like to
receive it.

Anyway, that's my $.02. Good luck.

Rich McGlew, COO
QQuest Corporation
(313) 441-0022
www.qquest.com
"Typhoon News User" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
>
> >started charging up front to begin with!).  SO, I have the following
> >options and perhaps you can think of others:
> >
> >1.  Say nothing for now, figuring he's checking my work out. WOrk my
> >15 hours this week and 7.5 hours next week and submit an invoice next
> >Tuesday and not work until that is paid.
> >2.  Send an invoice for $1200, mark off $600 as paid and the other
> >$600 due next Wed.
> >3.  Send an email asking why he did this and explaining the policy.
> >4.  Send an email explaining the policy and not ask.
> >5.  Other ??
>
> Don't use e-mail.  Speak to him by phone or in person.  Your first
> task is to determine if there is a misunderstanding or if he changed
> the agreement on his own.  Do you have a written agreement?  Be very
> frank about your concerns, but be careful not to make any accusations.
> Leave him a way out without losing face.  Plan this carefully ahead of
> time.
>
> You need to be clear in your own mind about what principal you are
> going to stand on here.  It seems quite clear to me that there is no
> longer a basis for a discount.
>
> Don't be so hung up on respect.  Having a business is about making a
> profit.  Sometimes that means swallowing your pride.  It isn't easy.
> The important respect issue is that you respect him.  Having said
> that, if he is truly being dishonest, it is probably best to walk
> away.  It depends on how hungry you are. :)
> -- 
> Doug Meredith
> Skyridge Systems Inc.
> 506-854-7997
> www.skyridge.co