Customer Says "I'll Pay Next Week" - Your Response Script
The exact words to use when customers delay payment. Firm but professional scripts that get invoices paid without damaging relationships.
"I'll pay you next week when I get paid."
You've just completed £800 worth of work. Invoice is in their email. You're standing in their driveway.
Next week comes. No payment. You call. "Sorry, can you give me until Friday?"
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The Three Rules of Payment Collection
1. Be Polite but Firm
Not rude. Not a pushover. Professional boundary enforcement.
2. State Facts, Not Judgments
"Invoice is 14 days overdue" not "You're always late paying."
3. Offer a Solution, Set a Deadline
Give them a way out, but make it time-bound and specific.
The Scripts: By Situation
Situation 1: First "I'll Pay Next Week"
"I understand cash flow can be tight. Our payment terms are payment on completion. If you need time, I can offer a payment plan: 50% today, 50% in 7 days. Does that work?"
Why it works: Acknowledges their situation, restates your terms, offers compromise with deadline.
Situation 2: "Next Week" Has Come and Gone
"You mentioned payment would be made by [date]. It's now [current date] and I haven't received it. Can you make payment today? If there's an issue, please let me know now so we can sort it out."
Why it works: References their specific promise, states the facts, requests immediate action.
Situation 3: Second Delay Request
"This is the second time payment has been delayed. I need payment by [specific date and time] or I'll need to pause any future work and add late payment fees as per our terms. Can I expect payment by then?"
Why it works: Escalates consequences, sets hard boundary, asks for commitment.
Situation 4: Genuine Financial Hardship
"I can see you're in a difficult position. I can offer a payment plan: £[amount] per week for [X weeks], starting this Friday. I'll need the first payment as a sign of good faith. After that, I can set up automated reminders. Does that help?"
Why it works: Shows empathy, requires immediate partial payment, creates structure.
Situation 5: Complete Silence/Ghosting
"Invoice [number] for £[amount] is now [X days] overdue. I've left several messages. If I don't hear from you by [date], I'll assume there's a dispute with the work and will proceed accordingly. Please contact me by [date] to resolve."
Why it works: Final warning, implies escalation, forces a response.
The Follow-Up Sequence
Use this timeline for late payments:
What NOT to Say
- ×"Don't worry about it" - Yes, worry about it. It's owed money.
- ×"Whenever you can" - Never give open-ended timelines. Always set a date.
- ×"I really need the money" - Your needs aren't their problem. It's a business transaction.
- ×"You're a terrible person" - Damages relationship, makes collection harder.
- ×"I'll let it slide this time" - Sets precedent that your terms are negotiable.
Prevention: Stop This Happening
1. Collect Deposit Before Starting
50% upfront for jobs over £500. Filters out payment problems early.
2. Accept Card Payments On-Site
Take payment while still in their driveway. Same-day payment rate jumps to 90%+.
3. Send Invoice Before You Leave
Email invoice while still on-site. Creates urgency.
4. State Terms Clearly Up Front
"Payment is due on completion. We accept card, bank transfer, or cash." No surprises.
The Bottom Line
"I'll pay next week" is a test. They're testing if your payment terms are real or suggestions.
Your response sets the precedent for the entire relationship:
- Firm = They pay on time in future
- Flexible = They delay every time
Use the scripts above. Be polite but firm. Offer solutions with deadlines. Follow through on consequences.
Good customers respect clear payment terms. Bad customers avoid businesses that enforce them. This is a feature, not a bug.
Collect every invoice without chasing
- •Card-on-file + deposit requests built into every quote and invoice
- •SMS/email reminders fire day 0, 2, 5 until the job is paid
- •Escalate overdue accounts with late fees in a single click
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Customer Won
Invoice 90+ days overdue. Customer not responding. Here