How do you guys make sure you get paid?

[jbv]

>
> On the flip side, BTW, I find that putting favorable collection terms
> on invoices, particularly where the client has an accounting dept. that
> watches such things, greatly accelerates payments. I generally offer a
> steep discount (5%) for payment within 7-10 days of my invoice. These
> terms are worded, in the U.S. at least, as "5-10, Net 30". Accountants
> love that stuff.

you guys are lucky. Here such practices don't work.
The bigger the company (those with accounting department),
the worst the situation. I always write payment terms on my
invoices (generally 30 days end of month), but most of the time those
guys do whatever they want. For instance, I got paid on dec. 15 2004
for a work I did in august...
The latest trick I had to face (10 days ago) in order to delay payment,
was to send me a cheque by post, but to make a mistake in the address...
and the client is a big agency with more than 100 employees...

JB