In Jan, I got a large order from a new client. In Feb (last Friday), I got a decent sized order from his business. Because everything was so seamless last time, the order date was so close to the delivery date, and I am very interested in building a business with his company, I waived the need to collect the deposit (though it does state that it is required on the invoice). I expected to be paid upon delivery until she replied to an email telling me that they are net 30 with all of their vendor.

I don't want to be a problem vendor, but I want to be fair to myself too. I spent money for the order that was due on Thurs. I stayed up late last night and got up early this morning. I had an associate come in to help because I was initially not prepared for this order and needed help if I was to successfully work it into my cake sched for this wk.

I recieved a voicemail a few minutes asgo that the event has been cancelled and will be rescheduled. That does nothing for the time and money that I've already put out this wk.

I understand that I was silly to not demand the deposit, but how do I professionally state that I will need one going forward. I admit that I am worried about not being considered in the future if they have another vendor that agrees to this.

Count this as a learning experience and salvage what you can to re-use. Just plop that contract next time and get it signed. They are a business too and I am sure have signed many contracts over the years. (or as ID would say...put on your big girl panties and get 'er done!)

I dealt with this too. I provided 13 8" rounds in various flavors pre portioned to 12 servings and individually packaged and labled each week to a very big church for the weekly singles bible study, they sold them at a mark up through their little cafe inside the church. I gave them a HUGE discount and expected to be paid upon delivery, I did this for about 3 months and it took me almost half a year to get all the funds paid to me due to their accounts payable schedule, and this was a very "rich" church & the biggest church in the city. Really sucked because at the time I was really struggling in my life financially.

I did have good experiences when I dealt with Exxon, they paid me when they ordered with a corporate credit card, I did monthly fullsheets for their company wide birthday parties. They called they ordered they paid when they ordered so not all big businesses are like that