bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

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  1

  mbpatel

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  Possibly LinkedIn?

  Considering huge popularity of LinkedIn (at least in the IT and consulting areas), LinkedIn can be a great avenue.
  
  However, the questions I have is ... 1) how to use it so as not to burn the bridges completely, and 2) not to appear as a troublemaker to potential employers. What do you think?

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  2

  ENetArch

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  If the site were linked into the credit reporting agencies, then this could be a very powerful tool indeed.

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  3

  chris_marschner

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  First let me state that this is NOT legal advice and is only based on my experience and training.
  
  I admit that shame tactics often work BUT! one must keep the Fair Credit and Collection Laws in mind even for business customers or risk being seriously burned.
  
  While truth is usually an effective defense against libel and slander, I would be very careful as to what I posted on the Internet about any client firm. How would this be monitored and incorrect information be changed? I think you may expose yourself to more risk than the reward will bring. In some states the practice of publically displaying bounced checks can create a civil liability.
  
  I advise all my clients to perform credit checks on all new clients except for Fortune 500's and government agencies. For those, I advise that they ensure that the purchaser has the authority to purchase by requiring a written order for goods and services. Finally never grant so much credit to any one firm that a single default will seriously harm the firm
  
  Assuming credit was issued, a better tactic to collect debts include staying on top of the collection process and not forgetting to followup. Take copius notes of phone collection responses and hold the client to those promises. Create a payment plan that is in writing - maybe even securitizing the debt with some asset.
  Do not threaten that which you do not plan to carry out and never present yourself as an agent of the government.
  
  The above is not an exhaustive list of do's and don'ts.
  
  The key here is to get paid not revenge. Use the courts if needed but always try to work out an equitable agreement outside of the court.

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  4

  chris_marschner

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  Followup:
  
  Keep in mind that the website will be held harmless for any thing posted by someone else. Just ask MySpace. So, in a sense they are providing you the rope to hang yourself.

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  5

  mbpatel

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  Better Business Bureau may be helpful

  Thanks Chris. You make some very valid points. Filing complaint with the local BBB may be another option.

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  6

  M782427

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  Dear chris_marschner:
  
  Bingo - Very-very-very good advise!
  
  Signed: M782427
  Certified Fraud Examiner

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  7

  theCandyStore

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  @#1 -- I'm currently using the "Update" space in Linked In to promote the fact that I'm trying to collect from a certain client.
  
  @#3 -- Would agree with you on all of your advice. But truth and contracts are on my side and I'm definitely not worried about slander.
  
  @ Everyone...there's always Judge Judy!!

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  8

  KAuditWright

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  I'd like to post a copy of my invoice, or contract signed by my client as supporting docuementation.
  
  The claim wouldn't post to the site, unless they can counter my documentation with supporting documentation showing that they have in fact paid (maybe a copy of the check, pay to the order of "my name" and my business name, and proving in some way that I, or my business cashed it).
  
  In other words, if there were a way to allow both sides the opportunity to prove their case with sufficient support, all prior to the claim going public as "unpaid".
  
  Just a thought.

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  9

  OneSpace

  07/23/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  I think this is a highly dubious forum. The proliferation of viral platforms for information sharing has its down-side. What safeguard exists on this site to prevent unfounded slandering of, say, a competitor for one's own gain?
  
  At least Wikipedia is a self-governing system, in which each entry is subjected to the scrutiny of other contributors and then (in theory) open-source edited.
  
  I fear websites like this will be an insiduous and unregulated slander-box. My company would never dream of sharing our collections woes here.

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  10

  limjoo

  07/24/09 | Report as spam

  RE: bPaidOnTime Exposes Deadbeat Clients Who Don't Pay

  I had a similar experience. I made it clear to my client that I emphatized with him under these challenging biz conditions. So I structured a plan where he can pay me in 3 installments. It worked for the 1st mth but then again defaulted for the last 2 mths.