"I just started my job. I'm working on paying the rest off once important outstanding bills are taken care of first. You should have it by the end of the year or the beginning."
Paying YOU is one of his "important outstanding bills." Tell him that. He is now five months overdue and he needs some form of consequence for his delay (posting a beware here is a good start). He received a product without paying (never make this mistake again and mail anything to anyone without having the money in hand). That's not how the business world works, as I can't go get a washer at Sears and expect to be able to take it home and use it without paying for it first. That's theft, which is what you're dealing with here. I think it's really shitty when people try and pressure and guilt trip people into meeting their deadlines, as we have encountered a couple of those situations in the past. I understand the anxiety it can cause, but it should work both ways -- he should feel the same sort of pressure about finishing his payments to you now. Obviously, he doesn't seem to feel you are a priority.
Stick by your TOS in the future, as this was hopefully a learning experience for you that ends well. And keep in mind if you start to feel anxious -- you are completely in the right, here. There's no way for him to flip this on you and make himself the victim, you know? You went above and beyond and he's cheating you out of what he owes you.
Also, we are considering no longer taking commissions from friends because I feel similarly to you about not wanting to hurt my relationships with people if the transaction goes sour. We've gotten close to having issues with friends and their commissions in the past, but we worked it out. So that's another thing to think about if you get more anxious working with friends. It seems like a good idea until you feel taken advantage of or blown off, etc. it's easier for me to be firm and less lenient with strangers. Good luck!
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Paying YOU is one of his "important outstanding bills." Tell him that. He is now five months overdue and he needs some form of consequence for his delay (posting a beware here is a good start). He received a product without paying (never make this mistake again and mail anything to anyone without having the money in hand). That's not how the business world works, as I can't go get a washer at Sears and expect to be able to take it home and use it without paying for it first. That's theft, which is what you're dealing with here. I think it's really shitty when people try and pressure and guilt trip people into meeting their deadlines, as we have encountered a couple of those situations in the past. I understand the anxiety it can cause, but it should work both ways -- he should feel the same sort of pressure about finishing his payments to you now. Obviously, he doesn't seem to feel you are a priority.
Stick by your TOS in the future, as this was hopefully a learning experience for you that ends well. And keep in mind if you start to feel anxious -- you are completely in the right, here. There's no way for him to flip this on you and make himself the victim, you know? You went above and beyond and he's cheating you out of what he owes you.
Also, we are considering no longer taking commissions from friends because I feel similarly to you about not wanting to hurt my relationships with people if the transaction goes sour. We've gotten close to having issues with friends and their commissions in the past, but we worked it out. So that's another thing to think about if you get more anxious working with friends. It seems like a good idea until you feel taken advantage of or blown off, etc. it's easier for me to be firm and less lenient with strangers. Good luck!