How Can Our Startup Secure Payment from a Big Client Without Escalating Issues?

Dear Seniors, we need your guidance. I am working in a consultancy, and we have closed three positions for one of the famous retail clients. We have raised an invoice. The due period has been exceeded with non-payment of the dues (for all three clients) beyond the date extension for payment.

Currently, I am unable to contact HR either by calls or emails. We have also tried contacting higher-level personnel through email, but there has been no response. When we attempted to visit the client's location, they did not allow us to meet with HR. The main concern we have is that they are a large client, while our consultancy is a newly established startup. We have agreements, email communications for closures, and all necessary documentation as proof.

Please advise us on how to secure payment from the client without escalating the situation.

Work Order and Formal Agreements

In my opinion, as pointed out by Mr. Dinesh Divekar, it is advisable to have a work order or a formal agreement with the company before you take up assignments from the said company. There is yet another aspect you need to introspect. Have you closed these positions earlier in the recent past?

In some instances, consultancy firms close positions, and within a span of a few months, the candidates leave the organization. By this time, the company settles the service charges. In such instances, the HR department is unable to justify yet another invoice raised by the consultancy firm. An agreement regarding the duration during which the consultancy firm will offer free replacement is advisable.

Regards