Making upfront payments.
@TrinityDownpour (790)
Liechtenstein
July 23, 2012 7:52pm CST
Do you make upfront payments for any kind of service? I suppose it does make one feel uncomfortable because the person who offer the service will bail with your money.
But if you look from the person offering the service point of view, they are the ones afraid that they won't get paid and they had to deal with lots of clients who are unwilling to pay them.
1 person likes this
3 responses
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Jul 12
When my husband had his own company for remodeling what he did was tell the customers it is half up front and the other half when he was done with the work. This way both ends felt more comfortable about having the work done and getting paid. It was better for both ends that way. Plus they signed a contract too just in case something went wrong but lucky for us it never happened...
@TrinityDownpour (790)
• Liechtenstein
24 Jul 12
I guess but the problem with online transactions is that half payments mean loosing money or not getting the amount you wanted.
You know why? Paypal fees. For each payment Paypal will take a small cut. So half and half payments will allow Paypal to take two cuts from your pay. Unless you're using money order or other sites like Paypal. (But unfortunately Paypal is popular)
@LovingMyBabies (85127)
• Valdosta, Georgia
24 Jul 12
Oh sorry I didn't realize you were talking about only online things. I thought you were just talking about in general. 
@TrinityDownpour (790)
• Liechtenstein
24 Jul 12
It's okay, I actually meant both real life and online service transaction.
@browneyed (2522)
• United Kingdom
24 Jul 12
I can only speak from the point of view of a service provider as I've never hired before. There have been times I've gone on a hunch and not asked for a deposit, but most of the time, I usually ask for 50% upfront. I know there are some people who ask for the full amount upfront and they're well within their rights to.
I ask for a deposit as I'm not willing to risk doing the work, submit it and not get paid. There are lots of genuine service buyers out there, but there are those who have no intention of paying.
A deposit doesn't guarantee a client will pay the rest though. I've had that happen to me before.
I can see it from the client's side. They're taking a risk by paying in advance. However, I've got to look out for myself.
@skyandgrassplot (1497)
• China
24 Jul 12
Usually my biz is upfront payments,we use T/T and deposit first,but as for the service,let me see,it seems that all of my service is pay after service,so I very curious what kinds of service is upfront payments?
