Scenario #1) Client A runs up a bill with us and wants to pay with a credit card to get us current on outstanding bills. Maybe the client is waiting on a few cases to close or settle and is a little short on liquid cash or wants to preserve his cash. He wants to put our engineering bill on his credit card to help cashflow and to let AMEX “finance his case”. What is wrong with that? We still get paid. He is not a “bad” client. He wants to pay his bills and right now, we seem to be more interested in keeping that listed as Account Payable on our books than interested in the cash in our account plus his processing fee.
Scenario #2) Client B calls with an urgent case and wants us to get to a scene to investigate ASAP. This is not a defense client but a plaintiff, and we normally require a $2,000 retainer. Snail mail would take 2-3 days to get us the retainer and LOA back. The client is willing to pay the retainer now, over the phone, along with the nominal credit card processing fee. What is wrong with that? We still get our $2000 retainer and can get in the truck and go without worry that they won’t pay.
Scenario #3) Client C is accustomed to paying for everything company related on his company credit card to get the airline and or credit card points. He doesn’t care about the processing fee being charged because he pays for all business expenses this way and this is standard to him. He considers paying processing fees is worth the convenience of his time and much easier than dealing with accounting to get a check written. It is easier for our client and his team. It’s no difference to us how he pays, we just want to money as soon as possible once services have been delivered or retainer has been requested.
