Poll: Do you let your clients know when you have received their payment? Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
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This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "Do you let your clients know when you have received their payment?".
This poll was originally submitted by Muriel Vasconcellos. View the poll results »
| | | | neilmac
Spain
Local time: 00:27
Spanish to English
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Very seldom, usually only with new clients, or if I am pleased at receiving prompt payment.
Some of my clients actually still insist on having invoices printed on paper and delivered non-internetically, so all they get from me is disgruntled muttering every time I have to schlep out to the post office!
| | | | Tatty 
Local time: 00:27
Spanish to English
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| Payment expected | May 1, 2011 |
No, I don't. I expect to be paid so I don't send a message of thanks when I get paid.
If someone pays me in person, naturally I thank them.
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I think it is important to confirm correct receipt of payment, as I expect my clients to confirm correct receipt of translation. It is also a good opportunity to tell the client that you enjoyed working with them and would be happy to do it again (only if payment was in time, of course).
From my experience, a nice email exchange follows. Clients say that they are also happy with your services; they check again your profile and website and give feedback. It is a nice, polite and pro... See more I think it is important to confirm correct receipt of payment, as I expect my clients to confirm correct receipt of translation. It is also a good opportunity to tell the client that you enjoyed working with them and would be happy to do it again (only if payment was in time, of course).
From my experience, a nice email exchange follows. Clients say that they are also happy with your services; they check again your profile and website and give feedback. It is a nice, polite and professional way to get noticed. But this is of course only my opinion. Maybe it is not important for translators with 20 years experience, but it is definitely good for starters. ▲ Collapse
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Allison Wright (X)
Portugal
Local time: 23:27
| Important information - and a courtesy | May 1, 2011 |
Veronica Lupascu wrote:
I think it is important to confirm correct receipt of payment, as I expect my clients to confirm correct receipt of translation.
I also receipt the client as soon as I am sure the funds have definitely "landed" in my account. (The receipt is for tax purpose; clients in Portugal automatically get a copy via the tax department; clients in other countries have the option of receiving the copy via e-mail).
I think it sends the message to that client that their business is important enough for me to acknowledge their payment - which is not the same as thanking. Nevertheless, in my experience, if you say "thank you", that client is more likely to pay you sooner next time.
Happy May Day!
[Edited at 2011-05-02 02:52 GMT]
| | | | Steven Capsuto
United States
Local time: 18:27
Member (2004)
Spanish to English
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| Thayenga
Germany
Local time: 00:27
Member (2009)
English to German
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neilmac wrote:
Very seldom, usually only with new clients, or if I am pleased at receiving prompt payment.
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hear from me for sure if I don't get it by the time scheduled...
[Edited at 2011-05-01 16:59 GMT]
[Edited at 2011-05-01 17:09 GMT]
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| Courtesy is cheap | May 1, 2011 |
Veronica Lupascu wrote:
Maybe it is not important for translators with 20 years experience, but it is definitely good for starters.
No matter how long you've been in business, courtesy is cheap. It strengthens client relationships, and is simply the right thing to do. How hard is it email a quick "Payment Received. Thanks!", especially when most of us, according to an earlier poll, do a great deal of our business over the internet anyway. And, if as a previous responder said, it leads to positive feedback and future contact for more work, even better!
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No matter how long you've been in business, courtesy is cheap. It strengthens client relationships, and is simply the right thing to do. How hard is it email a quick "Payment Received. Thanks!", especially when most of us, according to an earlier poll, do a great deal of our business over the internet anyway. And, if as a previous responder said, it leads to positive feedback and future contact for more work, even better!
With bigger clients, the payments is usually handled by the financial department, not sure how much those people in financials need/care about 'thanks'.
| | | | | Yes, it's just politeness, courtesy and an easy way to maintain excellent relationships | May 1, 2011 |
An easy, and free, way to build, improve or maintain relationships of trust.
It costs only 2 minutes, and can really pay off, even after more than 25 years in the business
Catherine
| | | | Jenn Mercer
United States
Local time: 18:27
Member (2009)
French to English
As several people have mentioned, it is a good way to strengthen your relationship with the client. I send most of my invoices through the ProZ invoice system which has a convenient way to send a polite acknowledgment. I will often personalize this and mention some aspect of the project or thank the client for particularly prompt payment.
On the other hand, I have a major corporate client that has very specific email addresses for each type of mail and I do know that any acknowledg... See more As several people have mentioned, it is a good way to strengthen your relationship with the client. I send most of my invoices through the ProZ invoice system which has a convenient way to send a polite acknowledgment. I will often personalize this and mention some aspect of the project or thank the client for particularly prompt payment.
On the other hand, I have a major corporate client that has very specific email addresses for each type of mail and I do know that any acknowledgment would just clog their systems. I want to be remembered - but not for sending unwanted emails.
Also on the rare occasions that I get a late payment, I will wait until the check has been cleared or the payment successfully transferred from PayPal. This may sound petty, but I feel that if a client cannot be trusted to pay on time, I want to make sure their money is good before I thank them for sending it. ▲ Collapse
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