You know, it's amazing that in the fast-paced, get-it-done-yesterday world that we live in, people continue to fall for that tired old “check-is-in-the-mail” ruse. One would think that an enterprising business owner could devise a way around it. But no worries, thanks to the miracle of modern technology, anyone with a smartphone can do just that. Chase Bank, PNC Bank and a handful of others have begun to roll out apps that will let a customer deposit checks right to their account by simply taking a photo.
I envision a conversation between vendor and client which goes something like this:
VENDOR: This is Joe Blow from Joe’s Abstracts. We were just going over our receivables and we show you to be $1,500 in arrears. When do you think you’ll be able to bring this account current?
CLIENT: Gee, I dunno, accounting must’ve overlooked it. By the way, what’s the status of that full search we ordered from you last week?
VENDOR: It’s done and ready to go, but several of your invoices are aged past 90 days. I’m afraid I won’t be able to release the work until your account is brought up-to-date.
CLIENT: Well, since you put it that way, we’ll get a check out to you immediately!
VENDOR: OK, we’ll send your search as soon as your payment clears.
CLIENT: But I need that one right away. It’s a new customer (it’s ALWAYS a new customer), and if we can turn this one around for them quickly, it’ll impress them SO MUCH they’ll start sending TONS & TONS of work our way! ...[Translation: I REALLY need that search, but instead of actually paying you, I'm gonna dangle a $1,500 carrot on the end of a stick and promise you the moon, in the hope that I can cajole you into sending me the darn thing so I can get MY client off my back!]...If you like, I could fax or email you a copy of the check we’ll be sending.
VENDOR: Sweet! Say, tell you what, instead of you having to go to the time, trouble and expense of mailing it, just send it to my smartphone instead of faxing it. That way, it’ll go directly into my account, I can release your search and everyone is happy! Fair enough?
CLIENT: Ahem, well then, ah--that is, um--I mean--uh, I think I hear my other line ringing, can I get back to you? *click*
Just a thought...
Regards,
Scott Perry
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