Apology For Overbilling

We rarely overbill our clients, in fact it's fair to say it never happens. One reason it never happens is that we've made mistakes in the past. In this case, we double-billed a client, not realizing she had already paid in full. E-mail #1 below is very direct, because it's the second or third e-mail I sent. The free ExecuNet breakfast was a $35.00 value.

E-mail #1

To: Carolina Burnett
From: Bill Frank
Date: January 15, 20—
Subject: Balance Due

Carolina,

I sent you this reminder in January and am concerned that I haven't heard from you. First of all, I saw you as a courtesy to Suzanna Briner, and because she referred you I did not ask for a credit card, as is our usual custom.

Second, I have a genuine concern about you and have inquired several times as to how you're doing with no answer. Third, your balance of $1300 still remains. Will you please contact me immediately to discuss the past due balance?

Thank you,

:Bill


E-mail #2

To: Bill Frank
From: Carolina Burnett
Subject: Balance Due
Sent: January 20, 20—

Bill,

There must be something wrong. You billed me on Oct 10 for $1,300 which I paid (see below). I have not used any of your services since or seen you. How could I owe you $1,300 more?

Carolina


E-mail #3

To: Carolina Burnett
From: Bill Frank
Sent: January 30, 20—
Subject: Apology for error . . .

Carolina,

I'm sorry I did not receive your e-mail of January 20 questioning the remaining balance on your account. Otherwise, I would have reviewed it carefully. All I had was our accounts receivable statement showing an additional $1300 due. Just now, I revisited your file, and the time we originally invoiced ($1300) is correct. I apologize for the error—it is our mistake.

By the way, you alluded to a charge for the "Career Blueprint."  There is never any charge for the blueprint, per se; it is a FREE article on our website. "Career Blueprint" is simply my shorthand for the notes I took on 10/09: "intangible complex sales, close to the action, manage a diverse group"-those kinds of things.

We will get a better handle on our accounting so this doesn't happen again—and we offer you a free visit to ExecuNet, if you ever want to network with high-level executives.

I hope this resolves the matter for everyone.

With best wishes,

:Bill

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