PSA: My biggest client ghosted me last Tuesday after three years of steady work.

They owed me $2,500 for a project I finished in Chicago last month, and now their phone just rings out. I had to dip into my emergency fund to cover rent. How do you guys handle chasing down big payments from a client who just disappears?

3 comments

3 Comments

kimfisher9d ago

Ever been tempted to just show up at their office? For that amount, I'd send a formal demand letter by certified mail first, give them a firm deadline. Then you might have to file in small claims court, which is a pain but works. Keep every single email and record of your calls as proof. It's brutal when a long-term client does this, makes you question everything.

rowan_wells309d ago

Certified mail is smart like @kimfisher said, but make sure you look up your state's small claims limit first. For a bigger amount you might need a lawyer, which changes the whole game. Having a folder with every single email and call log is what saved my buddy when he went to court.

the_leo8d ago

Check the small claims limit first. That number decides if you're dealing with paperwork or a lawyer. Why make it harder than it needs to be?