View previous topic :: View next topic |
Author |
Message |
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 11:38 am Post subject: Quick advice needed, if possible, please |
|
|
An overseas client, a new client, has agreed to pre-payment. But they don't have and apparently don't want to set up a PayPal account. They're offering instead to do a wire transfer. That's cool, in theory, but foreign wire transfers take at the very least 24 - 48 hours. And in my case, probably longer, because my bank is not part of the international banking network. Payment would first have to go to a bigger bank in New York City before being routed to mine.
PayPal would be SO much easier for everyone, but how do I convince the client of that without risking the job and the relationship before it even gets off the ground? I want to turn the job around quickly for them, but I can't if the 'pre-payment' is going to take three or more days.
Can anyone please advise how I should handle this?
Thanks so much. _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Eddie Eagle M&M
Joined: 23 Apr 2008 Posts: 2393
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:33 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Credit card transaction |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Donovan Cinquecento
Joined: 10 Jan 2007 Posts: 595 Location: Raleigh/Durham, NC
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:36 pm Post subject: |
|
|
From what I understand, they don't need to have a paypal account to pay you via credit card. That would be the best way. _________________ Donovan
www.DonovanVO.com |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I don't take credit cards. (I should've said.) _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:38 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Donovan, are you saying that they can use PayPal with a credit card? _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
cyclometh King's Row
Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Posts: 1051 Location: Olympia, WA
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:42 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Mike, you don't need a PayPal account to use PayPal to send money to someone. Only the recipient needs a PayPal account.
Go to PayPal.com, log in and select "Request Money" from the menu. It'll send them an email with instructions on how to respond. _________________ Corey "Vox Man" Snow
http://voxman.net |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I've just consulted PayPal's Help pages. It appears one still must have a PayPal account to use a credit card. This client does not appear to want to set up a PayPal account.
{despair and anguish} _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
cyclometh King's Row
Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Posts: 1051 Location: Olympia, WA
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 12:46 pm Post subject: |
|
|
I was just reading the same thing. Apologies for the incorrect advice above; there was a time when you could send money without a paypal account.
However, I'd say that:
* If they can't be bothered to set up a PayPal account (it's a very simple process), then that's a red flag.
* Wait until you have the money if you have concerns, because from what I'm hearing this would make me very concerned about the client's intent to actually pay.
If they really want it faster, they'll find a way to get you the money faster. _________________ Corey "Vox Man" Snow
http://voxman.net |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:02 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Having been burned a couple of times before, I'm tending agree with you, Cyclometh. I'd like to believe this client is on the level, but I can find no information on them. _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
cyclometh King's Row
Joined: 06 Aug 2010 Posts: 1051 Location: Olympia, WA
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:07 pm Post subject: |
|
|
It honestly sounds like they're hoist on their own petard. They'll need to either wait for the wire transfer or bite the bullet and create a PayPal account.
If the client is demanding that you do the work now and trust them to get the money later, they're not professionals and you don't want to work with them anyway- in my opinion, of course. _________________ Corey "Vox Man" Snow
http://voxman.net |
|
Back to top |
|
|
bobsouer Frequent Flyer
Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 9882 Location: Pittsburgh, PA
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Mike,
Unless PayPal has changed their policies in the last few weeks, I've been paid via credit card several times from people without PayPal accounts. Create a "PayPal invoice" and send it to them. They'll be able to submit their credit card details without creating an account. _________________ Be well,
Bob Souer (just think of lemons)
The second nicest guy in voiceover.
+1-724-613-2749
ISDN, Source Connect, phone patch |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Philip Banks Je Ne Sais Quoi
Joined: 20 Jun 2005 Posts: 11049 Location: Portgordon, Scotland
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:43 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Sorry to have to say this people. The attitude is very "Low Rent". Of course each of you must run your own businesses as you see fit but one must remember there are more voices than clients and most clients are basically very honest people. Combine Due Diligence with a liberal sprinkling of Common Sense. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 1:48 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Thanks, Bob. I'll keep that in mind for next time. But I'm guessing a credit card wouldn't work for these people, either.
However, as I've just now heard from someone whose judgment I trust, and who says the company is one of the "wealthiest production companies in town," I think I'll take the chance.
My thanks to everyone who offered their opinion and viewpoint. Much appreciated. _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
melissa eX MMD
Joined: 20 Oct 2007 Posts: 2792 Location: Lower Manhattan, New Amsterdam, the original NYC
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:15 pm Post subject: |
|
|
In theory it seems simple to set up a paypal account and it's easy for us because we can be flexible in our practices - it's just us. But when you have an accounting department that has its books set up a certain way it's not that simple to just integrate a new method. I've gotten paid by international clients via wire transfer. In fact I opened a new account at a different bank just for that purpose - because they charge no fee to receive the transfer. You may want to do the same. Especially if this will become a regular thing. |
|
Back to top |
|
|
Mike Harrison M&M
Joined: 03 Nov 2007 Posts: 2029 Location: Equidistant from New York City and Philadelphia, along the NJ Shore
|
Posted: Wed Oct 06, 2010 2:21 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Philip Banks wrote: | The attitude is very "Low Rent". there are more voices than clients and most clients are basically very honest people. Combine Due Diligence with a liberal sprinkling of Common Sense. |
Oh, I hear that, Philip. And I wish I didn't have to say that I started out trusting everyone yet was subsequently burned... several times... and once or twice by what was purported to be a "respectable" company (one such client in the U.K.). I don't like being suspicious. It doesn't make me feel very professional, and it's very time consuming doing research and soliciting advice. But when a company doesn't offer any information about themselves, and (while not the case here) is surprised when an independent contractor thousands of miles away asks for pre-payment, quite a number of people agree that it's reason to be doubtful as to their intentions. What recourse would someone here, in the States, have if a company in France decides not to pay?
It's probably nothing to the phone company if a customer doesn't pay their bill, although you know they'll get their money one way or another. But, turning things around, it sure does sting when a big company screws the small business owner out of several hundred dollars or more and he's got no way to recoup his loss.
The few bad apples out there make things difficult for the rest of the bunch. _________________ Mike
Male Voice Over Talent
I have taken leave of my sensors.
|
|
Back to top |
|
|
|