Financial Challenges Support Group

I am a small business owner who is about to scream! I work as a computer software development company (and also support computer networking). I have several clients, although for the last few years it has become more and more difficult to collect for services rendered.

Now, things have gotten so bad that I am literally going to be homeless in a few days, as I am out of options to even come up with the money to pay the rent. As I speak, I have almost $20000 in receivables, but cannot collect it.

I just got off the phone with one client (actually two--they recently split into two companies owned by the same person). They are disputing my invoices. I bill by the hour. In fact, the controller of the company is disputing 2 hours of work that I completed THIS MORNING WITH HER ON THE PHONE THE ENTIRE TIME (it was remote telephone support). She is disputing that it took so long (although she agrees we were on the phone for 2 hours). Her problem was a complex one, due to corruption in her Exchange email database (those who work with this stuff will understand that 2 hours is actually LOW). What can I do???? I invoice for the amount of time it takes. IN FACT, I EVEN DISCOUNT CHARGES IF I FEEL IT UNFAIRLY TOOK TOO LONG DUE TO DO SOMETHING BECAUSE I MADE A MISTAKE.

Then, after this, I spoke to another client who has an ongoing project that just got completed. I called asking if I could get paid some of the money that is left on the contract (they paid half up front). The project is completed and they are very happy with the results--I confirmed this on the phone. And, what answer did I get on payment? They have no money and can't pay me anything for at least another month!!!

Then, I asked this lady about her husband's business, which is a restaurant that owes me about $6000 and I have placed into collections. She informed me that he closed the business and that he has no money to pay me or anyone!!!! He absolutely refuses to return phone calls. Some of the money is for equipment that they have in their posession.

I'm down to one client left that I can collect from right now and quite frankly, I'm afraid to call him because he keeps "losing my invoices" every time I send them. This is yet ANOTHER client who is happy with my services.

My bills are through the roof. I'm paying so much in late fees because of my clients paying late that I am not making any progress. My car was almost reposessed last month (it's a cheap car--not something expensive). I spoke to the bank and there is nothing they can do with short-term loans or lines of credit because my financial situation is just not good enough.

My contracts are very specific about being non-negotiable, etc. I charge late fees (like that works when they just don't pay them either). At this point, I am going to have to probably take this one client to court but I don't even have the money to do that anymore. And, even if I win, I will probably never see the money. I am really out of options.

Anyone know of a good cardboard box available that I can sleep under? I'm serious!
Posted on 06/27/08, 12:06 pm