Performance bonds
 

Do any of you have customers who are jittery about paying you fearing you will "run off with the money" and not perform? This is a problem when I am on the road and leaving town after the show, and ask for half or a third down on a commissoned oil. Have any of you ever used a performance bond, or something to that effect? My wife suggested it to me when a very hot prospect backed down from cutting me a check for this reason.

Any sugestions as to how I can calm jittery nerves?

Lon, perhaps you could give the client references of several happy customers you have painted in the past. Then they would see that you are truly a legitimate businessperson.

What type of receipt/contract do you give the person upon receipt of the check? You might review this. A very business-like document of this type might assuage some fears.

I use a very detailed form which has worked well for me in my business. But, that does not go a long way when you are leaving town. I am planning on being a snowbird there in Palm Springs, and thought that the performance bond was a good idea. Has anyone else done that?