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Poll: What is your average time between delivery and invoicing?
Thread poster: ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
ProZ.com Staff
SITE STAFF
May 20, 2006

This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is your average time between delivery and invoicing?".

This poll was originally submitted by Erik Hansson

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more info
... See more
This forum topic is for the discussion of the poll question "What is your average time between delivery and invoicing?".

This poll was originally submitted by Erik Hansson

View the poll here

A forum topic will appear each time a new poll is run. For more information, see: http://proz.com/topic/33629
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Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 01:27
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
I am lazy. Sometimes too busy. May 20, 2006

My clients appreciate monthly invoices - it simply saves bookkeeping-time on both sides. With some clients, invoices clear once a month on a fixed date anyway.

Right now, I am busy writing invoices dating back to February. In return, they are paid within 48 hours.


 
Erik Hansson
Erik Hansson  Identity Verified
Germany
Swedish
+ ...
Possible relation between late invoicing and period of time before payment May 20, 2006

Hi Nicole,

Thanks for your comments. I envy you getting your money within 48 hours Wish I had such rapid-paying clients, too.

The reason for this poll was that I wanted to start a discussion if late invoicing automatically means longer period of time between invoicing and payment.

My personal impression is that if a client gets the invoice for example 10 days after delivery, the period of ti
... See more
Hi Nicole,

Thanks for your comments. I envy you getting your money within 48 hours Wish I had such rapid-paying clients, too.

The reason for this poll was that I wanted to start a discussion if late invoicing automatically means longer period of time between invoicing and payment.

My personal impression is that if a client gets the invoice for example 10 days after delivery, the period of time until the client finally pays is far longer than if the invoice is attached right away with the delivery.

Thus it would be an argument for faster invoicing.

It would be good to know the colleagues' opinions about this.

Kind regards
Erik

**********************************
Erik Hansson ( SFÖ )
Technical translator DE-SV
Hansson Übersetzungen GmbH
Am Birkenwäldchen 38
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Phone +49 - 3 59 52 - 321 07
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E-Mail [email protected]
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***********************************

[Bearbeitet am 2006-05-20 10:05]
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Nicole Schnell
Nicole Schnell  Identity Verified
United States
Local time: 01:27
English to German
+ ...
In memoriam
Thanks, Erik! May 20, 2006

if late invoicing automatically means longer period of time between invoicing and payment.


Hi Erik - very good poll! Thank you!

Well, this works well with regular clients/the very remote ones. My favorite one once sent me an unscheduled payment, simply because the currency exchange rates was so good.

Right now, I am running an "accidental" test on various new clients. See your quote above. If they still insist on additional 30 days after receipt of the invoice, I might have second thoughts regarding future projects. If a company can't pay you right away 60 days after delivery of a finished project, discretion is the better part of valor.


 
Mats Wiman
Mats Wiman  Identity Verified
Sweden
Local time: 09:27
Member (2000)
German to Swedish
+ ...
In memoriam
Very true! May 20, 2006

Erik Hansson wrote:
My personal impression is that if a client gets the invoice for example 10 days after delivery, the period of time until the client finally pays is far longer than if the invoice is attached right away with the delivery.

Thus it would be an argument for faster invoicing.


 
Sandra C.
Sandra C.
France
Local time: 09:27
English to French
+ ...
No mercy May 20, 2006



The reason for this poll was that I wanted to start a discussion if late invoicing automatically means longer period of time between invoicing and payment.



I've personally never tried it: I make a point of sending my invoice WITH the translated documents; sometimes if I'm really busy I'll send it the next day, but never later than that.
Some clients still manage to delay their payment...

Good poll, by the way!

Sandra


 
Reed James
Reed James
Chile
Local time: 05:27
Member (2005)
Spanish to English
Unless otherwise instructed, as soon as client has confirmed receipt May 20, 2006

Some of my regular clients/agencies request a monthly invoice. For the rest, I issue an invoice as soon as they have confirmed that they have received the translation and I have answered any possible questions about the job.

It is important to do things quickly in the e-business world. You want to have every possible advantage in order to keep existing clients happy and new ones interested in you.

Reed


 
E.LA
E.LA
Spanish to German
+ ...
no universal answer May 20, 2006

I suppose there is no universal answer. While working in enterprises, I observed that invoices are accumulated until end of the month and than payed (in Gemany).
In these cases, it makes no sense of sending it with every translation.

I do this monthly. Well, it happens somethimes that I forget to charge a little translation,)

I have one agency which is absolutely perfect (for that reason no name!!!)
... See more
I suppose there is no universal answer. While working in enterprises, I observed that invoices are accumulated until end of the month and than payed (in Gemany).
In these cases, it makes no sense of sending it with every translation.

I do this monthly. Well, it happens somethimes that I forget to charge a little translation,)

I have one agency which is absolutely perfect (for that reason no name!!!). Every time I send an invoice, the money comes inmediately - but absolutely inmediately.
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Pantoglot
Pantoglot  Identity Verified
Colombia
Local time: 03:27
Spanish to English
+ ...
last Friday of every month May 20, 2006

I personally prefer invoicing all of my clients once at the end of the month. I also pay everyone who helps me out on the same day. Therefore, I have reserved the last Friday of every month as the day that I do all of the given month's accounting.

Currently, most of my clients (with a few exceptions) either pay net 30 or net 60 from the end of the month, so it doesn't matter if I send the invoice the same day I send the job or on a chosen day near the end of the month.

... See more
I personally prefer invoicing all of my clients once at the end of the month. I also pay everyone who helps me out on the same day. Therefore, I have reserved the last Friday of every month as the day that I do all of the given month's accounting.

Currently, most of my clients (with a few exceptions) either pay net 30 or net 60 from the end of the month, so it doesn't matter if I send the invoice the same day I send the job or on a chosen day near the end of the month.

Using this system has helped me manage my time better, but it really hasn't affected the timing in which I receive payments.

Hope these thoughts are useful for you!
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Ricki Farn
Ricki Farn
Germany
Local time: 09:27
English to German
just switched from "instantly" to "monthly" for the regulars May 20, 2006

... after visiting a regular customer and seeing the stack of invoices on her desk together with her tired eyes ... and in any case, when I invoice a regular customer more than once an month, they tend to "bundle" several invoices and transfer the money for about one month at a time.
Might not be the cat's meow, but it's my conclusion after the first 6 months of freelancing.


 
Aurora Humarán (X)
Aurora Humarán (X)  Identity Verified
Argentina
Local time: 05:27
English to Spanish
+ ...
... May 21, 2006

I invoice some clients on a monthly basis.

In the case of new clients, I send my translation, wait for their confirmation and blessing ... and there goes the invoice.

But in general...

Nicole Schnell wrote:

I am lazy. Sometimes too busy.



Same here and I feel it as one of my weak legs. I would love to have a fair to take care of my paper-work. I hate this part of a freelancer's life.

Au



[Edited at 2006-05-21 10:56]


 
Claudia Aguero
Claudia Aguero  Identity Verified
Costa Rica
Local time: 02:27
Spanish to English
+ ...
on delivery of each work May 21, 2006

I think my case is completely different.
My clients request an invoice for each work. I even have companies a separate invoice for each label translated.
Sometimes, I have had to prepare them several invoices at the same time.

In general, I am paid as soon as the client receives the translation (either printed or online), but there are some clients that last.....


 
Ralf Lemster
Ralf Lemster  Identity Verified
Germany
Local time: 09:27
English to German
+ ...
Immediate invoicing, invoices due upon receipt May 21, 2006

Hi all,
We invoice immediately after delivering a job - in practice, this means that the invoice goes out (yes, by snail mail, as e-mail invoices do not have full legal validity) between one and three days after the translation was sent. (Most of the time, it's t+1, actually.)

For major projects extending over several weeks, we invoice between 30-40% upon instruction of the job, with the remainder upon delivery.

Our invoices are due upon receipt; payments are usua
... See more
Hi all,
We invoice immediately after delivering a job - in practice, this means that the invoice goes out (yes, by snail mail, as e-mail invoices do not have full legal validity) between one and three days after the translation was sent. (Most of the time, it's t+1, actually.)

For major projects extending over several weeks, we invoice between 30-40% upon instruction of the job, with the remainder upon delivery.

Our invoices are due upon receipt; payments are usually received between 10 days and 3 weeks later. (Note that virtually all of our business is with direct clients.)

Invoices received from freelancers are generally paid within five days of receipt.

Best regards,
Ralf
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Martine Etienne
Martine Etienne  Identity Verified
Belgium
Local time: 09:27
Member
English to French
+ ...
A software helping me May 21, 2006

I 'd like to find an invoicing reminder.. A software doing the invoice alone or at least remembering me to do them. I would put the informations (customer, number of words, price)in the software when I have the go from the customer (I am less lazy at that moment) and the sofware would propose me a ready made invoice one day after the deadline of the job.
If anyone knows of the existence of such a software. (Easy to use, rapid to use, specially designed for blond hair ) Just tell me.. it wo
... See more
I 'd like to find an invoicing reminder.. A software doing the invoice alone or at least remembering me to do them. I would put the informations (customer, number of words, price)in the software when I have the go from the customer (I am less lazy at that moment) and the sofware would propose me a ready made invoice one day after the deadline of the job.
If anyone knows of the existence of such a software. (Easy to use, rapid to use, specially designed for blond hair ) Just tell me.. it would be greatly appreciated?
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sarahl (X)
sarahl (X)
Local time: 01:27
English to French
+ ...
Will a word doc work? :-) May 21, 2006

Martine Etienne wrote:

I 'd like to find an invoicing reminder.. A software doing the invoice alone or at least remembering me to do them. I would put the informations (customer, number of words, price)in the software when I have the go from the customer (I am less lazy at that moment) and the sofware would propose me a ready made invoice one day after the deadline of the job.
If anyone knows of the existence of such a software. (Easy to use, rapid to use, specially designed for blond hair ) Just tell me.. it would be greatly appreciated?


I have a word doc titled invoices 2006 (how creative of me, I know) that I check at least once a week, and I can see at a glance who needs a little nudging.

That said, my hair is really chestnut.

Going back to the topic, I invoice the same day, or the following day if I deliver around the end of the business day. I have a very simple template for my invoices so I can produce a new one in a couple minutes. I like the idea of closing a job once and for all.


[Edited at 2006-05-21 21:58]

[Edited at 2006-05-21 22:03]


 
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Poll: What is your average time between delivery and invoicing?






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