How to protect you're self when providing services?

Is there any way that you can protect your transactions for services?

 

4 General Tips:

Get Money Down
Do Your Research
Communicate
Stick to Your Word

(Source)

Does that help, or are you looking for a solution to a more specific issue?

 

Your question is very general and you have not provided too many details. What type of services are you providing? How are payments being handled? Credit card, PayPal, wire, bank transfers, check?

In any event, at the very minimum, you should have a solid contract in place, drafted by a lawyer that is knowledgeable in your industry.

 

Always take a prepayment (70% of total amount) when you provide services online.. Take payment via paypal..

 

Ok, here's another thing. How do you handle clients that don't want to do a contract but insist on getting the work done anyway?

- ladesignandcoding -

 

Depending on what sort of "protection" you want:

1) Take deposits up front and have a payment plan through the lifecycle - vary percentages depending on risk of clients
2) Have a contract in place
3) Buy indemnity insurance
4) Vet your clients as far as you can (feeds into 1)

Only consider breaking your own control processes if your willing to walk away with nothing

 

Don't take them as clients. Your contract should not however be so one sided that it steers clients away. It should be fair but needs to provide adequate protection for you and not allow your clients to take advantage of you.

 

Give the client bonus such as lower the price for 50% if he sign the contract.