Customer wants to pay me using Bill. Any way to opt out?

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Customer Wants to Pay via Bill.com: How Can I Opt Out?

As a sole proprietor, I recently encountered a familiar situation. After sending an invoice with ACH details to a company’s Bill.com email address, I received a message indicating they want to pay me through Bill.

Since I’m based in Canada, I would need to register for Bill Canada, something I’ve found to be quite troublesome in the past. When I previously used Bill for a client, the fees were steep: $20 to wire money to my Canadian USD account, an additional $60 for a transfer to my U.S. account, or a 3% fee for currency conversion to CAD. Due to these charges, I closed my account.

Is it possible for me to receive payments directly to my U.S. bank account from this client? Should I respond to their email, insisting on payment through ACH as outlined in my invoice, or can I simply ignore this and expect payment without signing up for Bill?
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  1. To address your concern about being paid through BILL (formerly known as Bill.com) and possibly opting out to receive payment directly to your US bank account, consider the following steps and insights:

    Understanding the Payment Process with BILL

    1. BILL Setup: BILL is a platform that facilitates electronic payments, often preferred by companies for efficiency and record-keeping. However, it might be inconvenient due to fees and processing times, especially with international transactions.

    2. Client Preference: Many companies integrate BILL into their payment processes. They may prefer or require vendors to use this system for efficiency, compliance, and tracking purposes.

    Steps to Opt-Out

    1. Communicate Your Preference:
    2. Respond to the Email: It’s crucial to communicate with your client about your payment preferences. Reply to the email expressing your preference for receiving direct ACH payments. Here’s a template you can use:

      “`
      Hi [Client’s Name],

      Thank you for choosing to work with me. I noticed that your payment system suggests using BILL for processing transactions. Due to previous experiences and associated costs with BILL, I prefer to receive payments directly via ACH to my US bank account, as noted on the invoice.

      Please let me know if this can be accommodated, or if there is further information I can provide.

      Best regards,
      [Your Name]
      “`

    3. Negotiate Terms:

    4. Discuss Flexibility: Determine if your client can accommodate your request to avoid BILL. They may have the ability to bypass their system’s default payment method.
    5. Mutual Agreement: If your client insists on using BILL due to company policies, try negotiating who will cover the associated costs.

    Considerations

    • Payment Delays: Not signing up for BILL may delay payments as it might create a bottleneck in their routine processing. Discuss potential delays with your client.
    • Contractual Obligations: Review any contracts or agreements to see if you are obliged to accept BILL payments.
    • Long-term Solutions: If working with more US clients is in your future, consider setting up a more efficient cross-border banking solution or exploring digital payment platforms that offer better terms than BILL.

    Final Thoughts

    While opting out of BILL can be cumbersome, clear and open communication with your client can help. Explain the financial impact on your end, and see if you can negotiate a payment method that works for both of you. If BILL

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