“We will pay you as soon as our customer pays us.” You may hear this when following up on an overdue invoice. It may reflect a temporary cash flow problem, but it does not, by itself, provide a payment date you can rely on.
Before accepting another delay, turn the general explanation into clear information: how much does the debtor propose to pay, when do they expect to pay, and what is their alternative if the anticipated funds do not arrive?
Separate the reason for delay from the agreed terms
Start by reviewing the transaction records and the invoice due date. Did the agreement link payment to the debtor receiving funds from another party, or was this explanation introduced after payment became due?
This distinction helps clarify the claim, but it does not determine the legal effect of a contractual provision. If wording links payment to another event or allows different interpretations, have it reviewed before accepting an amendment or signing a new arrangement.
For practical follow-up, “we are waiting for funds” is not a payment schedule. You need a specific proposal that can be reviewed and monitored.
Four questions that make the promise clearer
Ask for brief answers to these questions:
- How much can be paid now, even if it is only part of the balance?
- When is the anticipated payment expected, and what supports that expectation?
- How much will be allocated to your claim if those funds arrive?
- What alternative payment proposal applies if the funds are delayed?
You do not need to collect confidential information about the debtor’s customers. The purpose is to assess whether the payment proposal is realistic, rather than become involved in an unrelated commercial relationship.
Should you accept more time?
Review the payment history before deciding. Has the debtor previously met promised dates? Have they paid part of the balance? Are they now offering a clear amount and date, or repeating the same explanation without a meaningful change?
If you decide to allow additional time, record the proposal and review date in a clear message. Avoid an open-ended postponement such as “after we collect our receivables.” Specify what you will do if the proposed date is missed, such as reassessing the claim and requesting a written update.
If the debtor offers several instalments, use the debt payment plan guide for Oman, rather than treating each promise as a separate arrangement.
A follow-up message you can adapt
Thank you for explaining that you are awaiting payment from your customer. Please confirm the outstanding balance for invoices [numbers], the amount you can pay now, and the proposed amount and date for paying the remainder. Please also explain your alternative proposal if the anticipated funds are delayed, so that follow-up is clear for both parties.
Adapt the message to the transaction and check the balance before sending it. If a partial payment arrives, reconcile it with the invoices and update the account using the partial payment balance guide.
When should the claim be assessed?
An organised review may be appropriate when promised dates repeatedly pass without payment, explanations change with each follow-up, the debtor will not specify an amount and date, or a dispute emerges over the balance itself.
Prepare the invoices, account statement, messages recording earlier promises and evidence of payments received. The claim document checklist helps organise the file. If replies stop, see the guide to following up with an unresponsive debtor.
THIQA specialises in debt collection and receivables recovery inside the Sultanate of Oman. Creditors located outside Oman may request assistance with a claim against a company or individual inside Oman.
Is payment repeatedly being postponed? Request a claim assessment and provide the outstanding balance and a brief summary of earlier promises, so the required information and an appropriate next step can be reviewed.
This content provides general information and is not legal or financial advice or a guarantee of recovery. Assessment depends on the facts, supporting records and agreed terms.