My main client's check bounced for the first time in five years

It happened last Tuesday, right when I was about to pay my crew. The invoice was for $4,200, a normal two-week job. I got the alert from my bank and my stomach just dropped. This client has always been solid, so I had to call them up. Turns out their own customer payment was super late, so their account was short. I felt stuck because I still needed to cover payroll. I ended fronting the money myself, which hurt my own cash for the month. Has anyone else had a good client suddenly bounce a check? How long do you wait before you stop work on their next project?

3 comments

3 Comments

drewnguyen23d ago

Oh man, that's the worst feeling. I had a great client who was always on time, then one check just... didn't work. It was like a bad magic trick. My own bank charged me a fee and everything. I gave them one free pass because stuff happens, but I also started making them pay upfront for materials before any new work. If it happened a second time, I'd probably have to hit pause on the project. It just shakes your trust.

mitchell.val17d ago

Yeah, that "shakes your trust" part is so true. I switched to a 50% deposit before I even start now, no exceptions. It just saves the headache and sets a clear line.

caleb_thomas8523d ago

Remember when my bank called about a bounced check, I almost dropped my phone in the sink. I was doing dishes, so my hands were wet and soapy... total panic move. Gave the client a week to fix it, but now I make them send a picture of the cleared deposit before I even order parts.