To all the freelancers out there
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
https://www.robotecnik.com freelance robots, PLC and CNC programmer.
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
Generally with a new customer, I'd ask for x% as pro forma (normally this will cover the immediate costs but without profit for me). Then y% on delivery (invoiced, with 30 days), and the balance (normally 10%, invoiced, 30 days) as "retention" for one month. If they meet the payment terms, then I'm fine with them. If they pay late, or they are a PITA to work with then they get a higher rate next time to cover my increased costs in chasing the buggers!
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
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Generally with a new customer, I'd ask for x% as pro forma (normally this will cover the immediate costs but without profit for me). Then y% on delivery (invoiced, with 30 days), and the balance (normally 10%, invoiced, 30 days) as "retention" for one month. If they meet the payment terms, then I'm fine with them. If they pay late, or they are a PITA to work with then they get a higher rate next time to cover my increased costs in chasing the buggers!
Bad command or file name. Bad, bad command! Sit! Stay! Staaaay... AntiTwitter: @DalekDave is now a follower!
:thumbsup:
Keep your friends close. Keep Kill your enemies closer. The End
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
I would charge 200%, those Swiss are filthy rich :-\
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
I hope you don't mind if when they pay with chocolate.
"The difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits." - Albert Einstein
"If you are searching for perfection in others, then you seek disappointment. If you are seek perfection in yourself, then you will find failure." - Balboos HaGadol Mar 2010
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
Ask for 50% up-front. Provide a training plan for that 50%; that way, if they decide to back out, you'll still get some money for that work you did. Get their signed approval for the plan so they won't be able to say you haven't delivered what they thought they'd get for "training". Of course it's still up to you to deliver what your plan says. Then collect the remaining 50% at the end. Disclaimer: I'm just a dev and not the guy collecting the money - but this is how the company I work for does it.
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
I am now retired having been in the industry for 47 years. During that time I learnt several valuable lessons: 1. Is the client an individual, a small company or a large company. The bigger they are, the more reliable they are. The smaller they are the harder it is to get paid. 2. Try to get a full specification of what is required. The smaller they are the more vague the specification. In which case guide them by writing a proper specification and get their agreement. 3. Assess the development manpower cost and any external costs then add 25%. Quote on that subject to certain constraints: a. Work will be billed and paid for monthly. b. Monthly reviews will be held to discuss progress and problems. c. Any client changes will involve a revised cost estimate which must be approved. d. The client is liable to a cancellation fee if they drop out. 4. For 'unknown' clients try and get a credit rating check done. This worked for me, at one time I was turning over 750K UK Sterling a year. Hope this helps AGB
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
Not really relevant where the client is. Use your normal invoicing methods dependent on what you do know about the client. If you're really uncomfortable with it, route the job through a 3rd party like PeoplePerHour. You'll be paying a premium for that (commission) but get the certainty of funds in escrow up front.
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
I recommend using escrow. Talk with the customer about it and about installments.
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
You could ask for a letter of credit which will spell out the conditions under which payment has to be made. Make sure that the termns are clear. Your bank should be able to tell you how letters of credit work.
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
I try to limit all my freelancing to domestic clients only. Anything beyond this, I would charge a premium rate. I would have to be prepared for the customer never paying, in which case I would depracate whatever work they received. Second, I only accept payments via PayPal. I do everything on a case-by-case basis. My thoughts on International Letter of Credit: I spent several years as HW & SW engineer with certain purchasing responsibilities for a small company which sold high-priced systems to foreign customers mostly. Payment was always through International Letter of Credit, and payment was always difficult. A chain of banks was involved, and every bank in the chain sat on the payment for a full 3 days so they could collect interest on it. I was freqently within earshot of one of the owners complaining about the delays for payment to some unknown party.
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I've received a mail from a possible customer from Switzerland. That customer is somebody that wants me to train him in the use of a specific software. I am not from Switzerland. How do you bill the job to a new customer that is from a different country? A) 100% at the beginning? B) Given you don't know the specific amount you ask for a certain amount that cover a specific number of working hours? C) Sending the bill after the work is done and pray? D) Other. Please explain. I've worked for different countries before... no problems for that, but with people I know... In that case I usually ask for a percent at the beginning and the final part at the end, or I simply get some money at the end of the next month... In that case I probably would go for the B option, but... is there any other option you are using or any other one that you prefer? Thank you all in advance!
Assuming you can take PayPal or some form of compatible payment. Often times this is the biggest concern. They found you, right, so this means they are willing to work with you. To me this is about risk management and your level of trust. Assume that you will not get paid your final piece, and modify your percentages so any loss is tolerable and a survivable learning experience. Bad Debt was an interesting concept. As an engineer, I thought Bad debt should be ZERO (I sell my time, which does not have a great margin in reality). But if you sell a product with a 40% margin. And you have ZERO bad debt (as opposed to 1% bad debt), then you are refusing 99 Customers at 40% profit (~400%) to save the risk of a 100% loss (and usually lower, because you credit less when first starting). It's bad business to have ZERO bad debt, because you have far too few customers who could be making you a lot of money. I consider the few people who did not want to pay the rest of my bill a Marketing expense. Since I don't really do any marketing, the occasional $500 or $1,000 write off is what it is. I usually know pretty quickly who is going to be a problem. I have walked away from a few potential clients because the vibe was wrong...
