Relancer les retards de paiement sans tuer la relation

Frequently asked

When should I send the first reminder?

Day after due. Soft, friendly, single line: "Quick check — invoice #X due yesterday, is everything in order on your side?" That tone presumes good faith and almost always gets a same-week payment without friction.

When does the tone shift?

Day 7 after due. Quote the invoice, the due date, the contract clause, and ask for a confirmed pay date. Still polite, but explicit. Most genuine late payers settle here; the ones who don’t are signalling something serious.

How do I do "firm" without burning bridges?

State facts and the next step. "Per our agreement, late fees apply from day 30. Please confirm payment by end of week." No anger, no guilt — just terms and timelines. Professional firmness escalates better than personal frustration.

When is the relationship not worth keeping?

When a client makes you chase every invoice. Late payment is a tax on your business; chronic late payers cost you more than they pay. Raise their rate to cover the friction, or let them go. Free up the room for clients who pay on time.