commerce



1. customer orders a product, e.g. model XL-23 laser printer


2. if a retail customer (i.e. not another business), ask the customer to pay first, using cash, a credit card, etc.


3. ship the product to the customer's address or whichever address they've requested.



4. if to another business, ship the product to their address.

5. issue an invoice, which is a sheet of paper with the following information


	the business's name

	the business's address and telephone number

	the customer's name

	the customer's address

	a list of the items purchased, including the cost

	the total amount due (total of the individual prices plus any taxes and shipping costs)


	the date of the invoice

	the date that payment is due (e.g. 14 or 28 days after the invoice date)



6. payments are sent as a cheque usually. the cheque is taken to the bank and the bank transfers the amount from 

	the customer's account to the businesses's account.




overdue payments


7. FOr ongoing supplies, stop supplying goods 2 to 3 months after the customer stops paying if that happens. the cost of those items is generally lost.

don't mention this issue publically or to customers 




8. for large items, over $1,000 for example, you could send several letters or start a court action, or join the list of creditors if the business is wound up.



9. individual items, a reminder letter can be sent 7 to 14 days after the due date when payment is not received for an individual item.


