Client not paying outstanding invoices - what options?
Discussion
Hi,
Long time lurker here, but hoping some of you might be able to advise.
I run my own business consultancy as a 1 man band working on various projects with various clients in the food industry. I have recently finished a 12 month contract as a GM for a business that is unofficially for sale. After 6 months, the owner and I started talking about the possibility of myself leading an MBO - something that I was very interested in. However, as I worked further with my advisers and backers, it soon became clear that his expectations and interpretation of the value of the business was miles off the real value of it / what we would consider paying.
Following an open (& friendly) discussion with the owner (10 months into the contract), we agreed that it would possibly be best if I did not renew my contract at the end of the 12 months. As such, I finished at the end of August on good terms.
The agreement I had was that I would invoice at the end of each month on 30 day terms.
I have been paid 10 of the 12 no problem. However, I now have 2 invoices outstanding with nothing to show. To date I have been polite and respectful having sent a number of emails asking if there is a problem / do we need to have a discussion - none of which have been responded to.
I have spoken to a couple of trusted former colleagues who have mentioned that all is still business as usual and that the owner has made no adverse reference to myself or my work.
So, what should I do next? I am planning on looking into the legal route next week; but before starting this process I thought I would see if anybody could shed light on similar experiences.
Any help much appreciated!
Spud
Long time lurker here, but hoping some of you might be able to advise.
I run my own business consultancy as a 1 man band working on various projects with various clients in the food industry. I have recently finished a 12 month contract as a GM for a business that is unofficially for sale. After 6 months, the owner and I started talking about the possibility of myself leading an MBO - something that I was very interested in. However, as I worked further with my advisers and backers, it soon became clear that his expectations and interpretation of the value of the business was miles off the real value of it / what we would consider paying.
Following an open (& friendly) discussion with the owner (10 months into the contract), we agreed that it would possibly be best if I did not renew my contract at the end of the 12 months. As such, I finished at the end of August on good terms.
The agreement I had was that I would invoice at the end of each month on 30 day terms.
I have been paid 10 of the 12 no problem. However, I now have 2 invoices outstanding with nothing to show. To date I have been polite and respectful having sent a number of emails asking if there is a problem / do we need to have a discussion - none of which have been responded to.
I have spoken to a couple of trusted former colleagues who have mentioned that all is still business as usual and that the owner has made no adverse reference to myself or my work.
So, what should I do next? I am planning on looking into the legal route next week; but before starting this process I thought I would see if anybody could shed light on similar experiences.
Any help much appreciated!
Spud
Thanks all,
To be fair, I have been restrained.
I will try calling on Monday; then daily. Arrive on site Friday if still no response.
I genuinely hope that it is an admin issue rather than zero intention of paying in his part. If the latter, then he is being rather naive as my consultancy services would undoubtedly come in handy to the handful of competitors who will no doubt be looking into acquisition once the IM is published in January....
Thanks again
To be fair, I have been restrained.
I will try calling on Monday; then daily. Arrive on site Friday if still no response.
I genuinely hope that it is an admin issue rather than zero intention of paying in his part. If the latter, then he is being rather naive as my consultancy services would undoubtedly come in handy to the handful of competitors who will no doubt be looking into acquisition once the IM is published in January....
Thanks again
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