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JJ Ramberg

JJ Ramberg is the anchor of “Your Business,” MSNBC’s weekly show on small business. In addition to her extensive television reporting experience, Ramberg has a background as an entrepreneur and co-founded GoodSearch.com. She has an MBA from Stanford Business School.



Singing the ‘Can’t Pay the Bills’ blues?

Posted: Wednesday, November 26, 2008 2:02 PM by Eve Tahmincioglu
Filed Under: , ,

Cheryl Rae owns a beauty salon and supply shop called Scarcella's in French Valley, Calif., and over the past few months she's found it harder and harder to pay the bills.

Consumers are bypassing her salon-grade shampoos that can run upwards of $25 for cheaper drug store versions, she said, and many regulars aren't getting their hair cut as often.

Right now, she's a few months behind on her rent, and the bills just keep piling up.

"The economy has hit us hard," said Rae, and she wonders how much longer she'll be able to keep her doors open.

It turns out Rae is not alone. An increasing number of small business owners are having trouble paying bills, according to a new survey.

The poll, conducted by Discover Small Business Watch, found:

--Forty-four percent of small business owners have experienced cash flow issues over the last 90 days, up sharply from 38 percent in October. This is the category's highest rating since April 2008, when the same number of owners reported cash flow issues.

--Cash flow difficulties were most pronounced for small business owners whose primary customers are consumers: Forty-nine percent said they had cash flow issues in the past 90 days that caused them to hold off on paying some bills, while only 33 percent of owners who sell business-to-business expressed the same issue.

"Small businesses are continuing to feel pressure in this weakening economy," said Ryan Scully, director of Discover's business credit card, in a statement. "The number of owners having trouble paying their bills is the highest we've seen since April and more than half of owners are cutting back on their business development plans, which is an all-time high."

I asked Discover if they had any numbers on how many business owners are having trouble paying their credit card bills in particular, or whether late payments have risen. I also wanted to know if the company was doing anything to help out small firms during this tough economic time.

Discover spokesman Jon Drummond says the company does not release numbers on late payments.

As for help for small firms, the company "proactively identifies and calls customers who show the potential for financial distress in addition to assisting those who approach us directly for help," he said. If a customer is deemed "high risk," Discover stops sending them promotional offers; and they offer card holders different payment options.
 
And, he added, "for customers who do become delinquent, our customer assistance team works with them to try to bring their accounts current again."
 
Sometimes trouble paying bills is a function of small business owners not getting paid themselves.

A recent Intuit Billing Manager “Get Paid” survey found that the average small business owner loses close to $1,500 each month becasue of overdue payments or unpaid bills.

The survey also asked:

--With the current economic uncertainty, what key issues about your business keep you up at night?

Forty-two percent of respondents answered: Getting paid quickly (cash flow).

--Are you seeing an increase in overdue/no payments now compared to a year ago?

Thirty-three percent of respondents answered: Yes.

Unfortunately, the late payment of bills is only the beginning of a downward spiral for entrepreneurs like Rae.

"I have this dream that we're going to pull out of this economy, but we're not even making the rent," she lamented." There is no way for us to weather it."

And she gets angry when she sees the federal government bailing out huge corporations and doing little to help people like her.

"It just infuriates me because small business owners are getting kicked left, right and simple," she said.

Are you all infuriated? Are you able to pay the bills? Do you think small businesses also need a bailout?

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that the federal government is providing "up to $200 billion in financing to investors buying securities tied to student loans, car loans, credit-card debt and small-business loans."

Will that be enough?

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Comments

I feel Cheryl's pain. I own a couple of trailer dealerships in the Southwest and am having similar cash flow problems. We floorplan all of our trailer inventory which means we borrow money and pay interest on the trailers in stock. While all of our expenses are in line with our industry, our interest expense is off the chart. At this time last year we were paying on average 6-8%, now we are paying on average 13%. That translates into 19.1 cents of every trailer sale profit dollar is spent on floorplan interest.So for the past year all of our net profit is lost to interest expense. In the mean time while the Feds continue to reduce rates to the banks, the banks continue to raise our interest rates, thus making it considerably more difficult to stay in business. At some point I can only hope that the banks will change this trend and will work to help us stay in business rather than have to repossess and liquidate all of the trailer inventory they hold as collateral when we close our doors.

Otto, New Mexico (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:25 PM)

As a small Business owner - its always about cash flow - month to month
There are lines of credit from banks to supposedly help - but as soon as you use it the interest rate is so high to pay back what you needed - it takes forever to pay off and just hurts the situation more. We also pay taxes on everything. If it wasn't the high taxes we pay here in the state of Washington - I would be be so much healthier in cash flow. I own a personal training Fitness business/Franchise and the state of Washington is about the only state that has to pay sales taxes every month and sales taxes on the building I am leasing. Crazy. I have a business that is a service to making people healthier -  both mentally and physically and we get no breaks. Go figure. The small Business Loan Program is a joke. So hard to qualify and high interest rates. I am a viet nam era Veteran and I see no programs to help all of us out either. I would just like to see a good - low interest program to help small business owners out - all of the big corporations are getting it and more - the capitalism way ?

chuck miller kirkland,wa (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:33 PM)

I received three letters from my bank - one of the big three (their initials are JP Morgan Chase). They closed one of my accounts, an overdraft protection line I never used, and lowered two credit lines.  As a small business owner, my personal and business credit are the same.  My credit score is high and I am not behind on anything.  Yes - my sales are flat but in this economy I feel fortunate. Chase's actions make me ask "what's the bailout for?".  They're cutting my access to credit for no reason other than to balance their risk portfolios.  If it's like this for me, 1) what's it like for everyone else and 2) when will my other lenders do the same thing?  The good news is I can and will fire them.

John, Austin TX (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 4:44 PM)

I'm in hospitality business,when I bought this business last year,it was doing good but since last june with the gas price over the roof our businesses went nose down with same speed,this month business is down 40% compare to last nov 07.I went to my mortgage bank for the help thourgh this time,answer go to hell.and it is true I'm on my way to hell.with losing my business(I invested $800,000.00 in it),next I be losing my house.All my saving already in the drain.All my 25 years of hard work and no non sence and only enjoy my work,is gone,the American dream is gone.Can fed chairman resque me from going to hell.And it isnot my fault at all.

Shaiq Amir,st'louis,mo (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:02 PM)

I'm in hospitality business,when I bought this business last year,it was doing good but since last june with the gas price over the roof our businesses went nose down with same speed,this month business is down 40% compare to last nov 07.I went to my mortgage bank for the help thourgh this time,answer go to hell.and it is true I'm on my way to hell.with losing my business(I invested $800,000.00 in it),next I be losing my house.All my saving already in the drain.All my 25 years of hard work and no non sence and only enjoy my work,is gone,the American dream is gone.Can fed chairman resque me from going to hell.And it isnot my fault at all.

Shaiq Amir,st'louis,mo (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:06 PM)

After 12 years at the same location selling RV and marine products, we are closing the doors. We have customers, but we can't get credit for them from the same banks we have used for years. They used to buy less than perfect credit, but now the 4 customers I have with 800 plus scores, can't get an affordable loan!???
Every parameter the banks had seen as top tier, has now become undesireable. I don't get it, they have stable income, no credit card debt, low debt to income, long credit history, and absolutely no other possible reason for denial. A year ago I was able to grant instant approval, but now....nothing at all. I have been spending 3x more in advertising to get the people in the door, but seems to be wasted!
BAILOUT the morons at the banks that caused this mess for WHAT! They are clearing their problems and keeping the money close to the vest. The whole idea was for them to keep lending, but if I can't get loans for these people, ALL is lost.

boatandrvguy L.A. Calif. (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:20 PM)

After 12 years at the same location selling RV and marine products, we are closing the doors. We have customers, but we can't get credit for them from the same banks we have used for years. They used to buy less than perfect credit, but now the 4 customers I have with 800 plus scores, can't get an affordable loan!???
Every parameter the banks had seen as top tier, has now become undesireable. I don't get it, they have stable income, no credit card debt, low debt to income, long credit history, and absolutely no other possible reason for denial. A year ago I was able to grant instant approval, but now....nothing at all. I have been spending 3x more in advertising to get the people in the door, but seems to be wasted!
BAILOUT the morons at the banks that caused this mess for WHAT! They are clearing their problems and keeping the money close to the vest. The whole idea was for them to keep lending, but if I can't get loans for these people, ALL is lost.

boatandrvguy L.A. Calif. (Sent Wednesday, November 26, 2008 11:20 PM)

Reminds me of the bible story of the servant who was forgiven by his master for a large debt and then turned around and brutalized his servant for a much smaller debt. The situation is similar for individuals as for small businesses. If credit card companies raise rates, raise fees, add new interlocking fees, make harassing calls for the slightest late payment and press customers hard to buy 'insurance', then the bailouts end up destroying confidence. Of course, bean counters are going to make their 'profit' and collect their 'bonus'. Country? Who cares!

Tom Walsh Groton, MA (Sent Thursday, November 27, 2008 1:56 AM)

I'll add my story.  Same as John in Austin.  My bank's initials are Compass.  Lowered credit line.  Around here (AZ) we are not seeing any help from the billions being poured into the wall street coffers.  Let's try something else, can we?

Tom, Prescott, AZ (Sent Thursday, November 27, 2008 1:05 PM)

I'll add my story.  Same as John in Austin.  My bank's initials are Compass.  Lowered credit line.  Around here (AZ) we are not seeing any help from the billions being poured into the wall street coffers.  Let's try something else, can we?

Tom, Prescott, AZ (Sent Thursday, November 27, 2008 1:06 PM)

My wife and I have been in a retail business for over 15 years and never have we seen our situation as dire as it is now.  Up until last year we ran our business almost free of credit.  However, since the slowdown began we have had to use our business credit cards a lot more than before.  In the past we were able to pay them off in full at the end of the month but now we can only make minimum payments.  

We recently emailed American Express a request to lower our interest rate from 15% to a lower rate so that we could make some headway on the principle but they turned our request down.  The funny thing is that same week American Express was itself working a hand out from our tax dollars to help itself out, and unlike us, they got what they wanted.  So it is of no surprise that at a certain point borrowers just give up and throw in the towel.  I don't understand why the banks would rather push people into bankruptcy rather than lower their rates to somewhere around 7% to 8%.

RM, Paso Robles, Ca. (Sent Thursday, November 27, 2008 2:12 PM)

I am a small business owner in the construction industry in Washington State and we are seeing the struggles continue for our industry.  I employ 10 people in fulltime positions and 1 part time office clerk.  When I have to spend $3000 on a new transmission for an installation truck or pay the company health plan premium, I am not seeing the government or anyone else stepping up to help.  Revenues are up over the last 4 months but so are taxes, L&I and more.  My bank (a local "rural bank")is treating me well so far.  Q1 2009 is scary right now as we are not sure what the government, economy, bank, utilities, insurance, and all other stakeholders will be trying to do to us.

Rick Garrett, Spokane, WA (Sent Thursday, November 27, 2008 2:36 PM)

I have a business that has stuggled for the past few months, so much so that I have laid off staff and cut back hours.  The credit card merchants are essentially sharks, as soon as you miss one payment forget it.  I believe a lot of businesses will not survive the first quarter, which is slow in normal times, these aren't normal times.  You have to go back to the recession of 1982, to see this much pain coming.

Mark, Dunkirk NY (Sent Thursday, November 27, 2008 4:08 PM)

we small business owners in St. Croix, US Virgin Islands have been suffering for more than just the past few months......try several years of trying to keep our doors open. Gross Receipt taxes for all income over $5,000 per month at 6%, excise taxes of 4%, custom fees of 6%, plus the highest electrical rates in the US (we reached over 50¢ per KWH a couple months ago at the peak of the oil prices). In an island of 53,000 people, it is a real struggle.

barely hanging on, St. Croix USVI (Sent Friday, November 28, 2008 11:03 AM)

Small businesses are such a beautiful part of the landscape in almost every community throughout our country but given years of decline and the current situation, these may soon become totally extinct - we may have already begun the small business Ice Age! Small businesses are truly the givers in their communities.  They not only provide wonderful goods and services, but many don’t ever get a paycheck because any earnings usually go right back into their businesses for either inventories or operating costs.  If there is any left after national vendors get their high dollars for inventories (small business pay lots more than national chains), the government gets their taxes, and the creditors get their high interest payments, the small business owner puts their little bit back into their community through many different ways.  I had a dream which fades a bit more everyday.  In addition to borrowing, my husband and I invested all of our savings to open and keep open a children’s clothing store.  We diversified into theme parties for small girls (princess, teas, spas, etc.) and photography.  After five years, we are now desperate and face having to close after investing nearly $400,000 in the business and worked 40++ hours a week with never having enough left to get even a $1.00 paycheck!  If we close today, we will be paying off debt for another ten years – twice as long as the store was open.  As for government help, the thought of an SBA Grant is a joke – the real small businesses we are discussing here don’t qualify.  We did finally get a SBA loan to consolidate the 17-21% interest rate commercial card balances, but still had to personally sign.  This means the bank gets the house and anything else they may want if we can’t continue to pay it all off through other employment income.  And guess what – the loan was for only $50,000 and the SBA charged $1,000 for origination/closing fees – that was a 2% upfront hit!  Was that a bailout???  I don’t think any will come to the real small businesses.

Angela, Alabama (Sent Friday, November 28, 2008 12:48 PM)

I agree with all of those above. We have a truly small retail business that has really done well up until the last six months. We are the ones who sponsor school classrooms, who contribute goods for silent auctions, who donate to nursing homes. We have a set budget to give back to our community. And, in our case, we do not wish for a government "bailout". We just wish the government would wake up and realize that everyone doesn't live like those in Washington. We are the little guys who do work well over 40 hours, and have never taken a paycheck. We truly believe we provide a needed service to our community. But, all that said, we will probably not continue in 2009. It is sad, but  we refuse to climb deep into debt to provide that service.  We are coming up on the first month to have to put some bills on credit. Truly against all that we have tried to do - but now there is no choice.I wish you all luck and a quick turn around.

FB, Missouri (Sent Saturday, November 29, 2008 2:10 PM)

I too as a small business owner "feel the pain" in these trying times. Where is the Goverment when we need them? We are the backbone of the nation and we are treated badly by the Goverment and our Creditors....Would it be different if we could afford legal teams like the big boys....I wonder.

Thomas, Jacksonville, Florida (Sent Sunday, November 30, 2008 8:40 AM)

Our business has been in a down ward spiral since 9-11 and now we just live day to day, can't sleep or pay all the essential basic bills, or even get a small loan anymore, they won't even tlk to us as before all it took was a phone call.  We are in the lumber business and getting ready to retire, HA!  
This country is all about BIG BUSINESS, Oh, and they keep wanting MORE in taxes. (P.S.  we are going to get a small motorhome, at least a roof over our heads) must go take some anxiety pills now, which we can't afford either!  

J (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 12:51 PM)

God bless you all, this worldly system has taken advantage of people for the longest, and those leaders have allowed it, the bailout was actually for them, they had big money vested and you could see it in their faces, please tax payers bail us out, yep with what, borrowed money, everyone is loaned out. Slaves to the Lenders. God forgive us all.

Dallas , Los Angeles, Ca. (Sent Monday, December 01, 2008 1:08 PM)

I feel the pain along with all the other small business owners. My business partner and I started an automotive accessory and spray in bedliner business, along with a small car lot. In the past we were selling an average of 10 cars a month, and that many or more bedliners a week. In the last three months we cannot give the cars or bedliners away. The cost of everything it takes to operate a business has risen substantially. We cannot pass these cost increases to the public due to the economy. After much pain and agony, we had to let our employees go, and are shutting our doors at the end of the month. We are left paying the remaining balance of the loan out of our pockets. Luckily we both are employed full time at other jobs, but it is painful to know that after working 50+ hours a week on top of a full time job it is over. It amazes me how some CEO’s can drive a company into the ground, and the government will give them a bail out. However they will let the small business owners, who really drive the local economy, fail without a second thought. The really sad thing is, we are not the only small business in our small town who are being forced to shut the doors . The American dream of starting your own business is dead.

The Dream is Dead in Arkansas (Sent Tuesday, December 02, 2008 1:35 PM)

My husband and I have a manufacturing business in southern Oregon. It started out as RV trailer, but reorganized to do speciality vehicles, molds etc. For six months this year we were closed, then a company contracted with us to do some building of product. The first three months they paid on time and we started to address our debt. The last three months it has been pulling teeth to get paid. Now they have not paid $15,000 owed so we laid off and closed. If we will reopen is anybody's guess.
 There was a comic email suggesting instead of big bail outs, give every citizen a million dollars. Somehow that makes more sense now than what is being done.
As for our crew - the first time in three years we had a good team, no drunks, no drugs, and willing workers.
  I share the pain and frustration of other readers.

Barbara Rolph, Grants Pass OR (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 1:48 AM)

Run a small consulting firm and began seeing a down turn in late 2006.   After being an Advanta card holder and not missing a payment, they increased my interest rate from 7 % to 37%.  I rely on credit to fund my travel and expenses until client can pay me.  If I now pay the higher interest charges, it impacts my ability to pay my vendors who are treating me fairly.  I have called and asked for adjustments, but no negotiation is their line.  Have read about numerous other Advanta customers in similiar situation.  It is very heartbreaking to think that we as tax payers now have a major investment in banks - but they won't return the favor and invest in us.  I feel like I am dealing with organized crime - instead of breaking my legs, they are threating my family with finacial pergutory for years to come.  The government should have given they bailout money directly to small businesses - then we could pay the bank.  I would be happy for they to invest in my business.  

Monique, Tampa, Florida (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 8:49 AM)

Us small business owners need to band together and hit capital hill for a bail out!!  If I didn't have the equity in my house I would run up all lines of credit and walk away, that is how I feel towards the banks, credit card co and wall street!! CEO's making 22,000.000 a year and they ask for a bail out, then give themselves a raise!!

Joe Wake Forest, NC (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 9:35 AM)

So where is our bailout if we are the backbone of our economy, I see they want an autmakers bailout and the autodealerships are saying they need bailing out. And the darn bank thats milking me got bailed out, even homeowners are going to be bailed out... well I have used no investors money and didn't think I would ever need credit, therefore didn't build any when I could have. After suffering a 50k+ loss in the real estate market and forseeing such a loss an entire year before. We had no choice but to sell. Now risk losing 100% of our investment, but whats worse is a means to make a living. I build and fix pc's also do websites, my wife and I own Virtual Cowboy of satx_usa. We opened the store expecting it to take 3-4 years to become established and are now 31 months old. With 3 years coming up, with a boost we could make it, seems to be what lowering the gas prices did for us.

michael moran (Sent Wednesday, December 03, 2008 7:37 PM)

If your business is spending more on expenses
than it's generating in revenue, why do you think
getting a loan is going to help?  Unless you've
got some plausible plan to either increase your
income, or decrease your expenses, your business
is a loosing proposition.  Why should a bank give
you their money if you're just going to dump it down
a rathole after your own money?

Goedjn, Kingston, RI (Sent Thursday, December 04, 2008 11:21 AM)

All of us small business owners are screwed. America is being destroyed by design by the globalist bankers. Stock up on food and other essentials now while you can.

E. Austin, Texas (Sent Wednesday, December 10, 2008 11:26 PM)

My husband and I have owned a construction business in Florida for more than 8 years and have employed 20 people at a time and given work to a lot of subcontractors.  Now, we haven't made money in over 8 months, are behind on everything, and don't know what to do.  I got another job that only pays our two mortgages and my car payment and that's about it. We have 2 small children.  My cousin and sister pitched in for this Christmas because I literally had 100.00 to buy presents with. I know that's not a big deal and there are people worse off, but it kills me that we are unable to donate to our charities, church, local schools, community foodbank, etc., like we are used to.  Small business is the backbone of this country and employs a lot of people.  Most of the contractors here in our part of FL are bust.  The only jobs around are in fast food places.  I am in weekly danger of losing my job and if I did, we would be out on the street.  We have good friends who are single parents and have lost their homes.  The house next door was abandoned, keys mailed to the bank.  What is it coming to?  And still the creditors call and demand huge payments.  We are trying to hold on to what we have (house and car, namely!).  What a mess, and it doesn't look like it will get better. My husband wants to march on Washington and demand a bailout for all the small businesses who are dying every day.  We should all get together and protest.  Maybe that will wake up the govt.

Anna Small, Hudson, FL (Sent Thursday, December 11, 2008 4:39 PM)

My mother owns a bridal shop in Georgia and recently her husband (my father) had a heart transplant and can not work.  Not only has he lost his employment due to this, she makes no money as well.  On top of all of this his medical bills have sky rocketed and his medicine cost more monthly than all other bills combined.  My mother depends on her business to survive to keep her afloat.  Right now, we are struggling to pay the bills and don't know where to go.  I wish the government would at least put a halt on tax payments by small business's until the economic crisis is over!  Had we not had to pay so much in taxes over the last couple months we would have enough to pay our bills!

Alisia, Springfield GA (Sent Sunday, December 21, 2008 11:56 AM)

I am a dentist and we are seeing a 30% downturn each month. Patients have been laid off or fear it and do not want to spend any money at all. Plus they cannot get credit to pay for essential work even if they have good credit scores. We struggle to keep our staff at work...
Credit card companies slashed my limits (thanks Amex) and increased rates from 9 to 30% (advanta) yet I've never been late or missed payments. Now if I need to carry a balance it means it will take forever to pay off principal. How does this credit squeeze help small businesses or our customers! Yet the bailed out banks see nothing wrong in still paying bonuses - every small company I knows won't be payining a bonus if they don't have the cash now no matter how well they did in the first quarters of 2008

Alex Smith (Sent Sunday, December 21, 2008 4:07 PM)

I am a dentist and we are seeing a 30% downturn each month. Patients have been laid off or fear it and do not want to spend any money at all. Plus they cannot get credit to pay for essential work even if they have good credit scores. We struggle to keep our staff at work...
Credit card companies slashed my limits (thanks Amex) and increased rates from 9 to 30% (advanta) yet I've never been late or missed payments. Now if I need to carry a balance it means it will take forever to pay off principal. How does this credit squeeze help small businesses or our customers! Yet the bailed out banks see nothing wrong in still paying bonuses - every small company I knows won't be payining a bonus if they don't have the cash now no matter how well they did in the first quarters of 2008

Alex Smith, louisville, ky (Sent Sunday, December 21, 2008 4:07 PM)

Imagine a room full of sophisticated, educated, lawyers exchanging billions of dollars of taxpayers' money and they do not have the integrity to even put in basic restrictions or accountability. I.e., give bankers billions and look the other way. Now when the government begins to ask where the money went, they get answers like "we don't know exactly" and "we decline to disclose that information".
  I may be looking at this the wrong way, but hasn't a massive crime been perpetrated. After all, taking public money without accountability willfully and intentionally is serious. Furthermore, the original intent of the money included discussion of lending a portion of it locally within reasonable parameters, and this has not happened either. Lastly, If a group of large scale financial institutions should have known that their actions would cause or at least prolong great economic hardship to the country, wouldn't this gross negligence be tantamount to ....
I dare not say the word. The best phrase I've heard is "Like a pack of wild hyenas gnawing on the bones of the unfortunate".  Where's a truck load of handcuffs when you need one.

Peter S.

Peter S. (Sent Friday, January 16, 2009 8:58 AM)

Well it's time to close it up!  I will finish closing our store by March 15th.  See above: (Angela, Alabama Sent Friday, November 28, 2008 12:48 PM).

I heard this morning on HHN (Clark Howard) that the new stimulus had some things for "small businesses".  I guess I'm not a "real" small business because I'm not ready to invest another $250,000 in equipment and create 10+ new jobs, so there's nothing in the stimulus to help THIS small business.

Well, I really am a SMALL BUSINESS.  In 2008 I will have did less than $150,000 in sales - now that's the kind of small business I have.  My $300,000 personal money is gone and I'll keep paying the SBA loan I finally did get for 50K last year.  The rate is 7% and I paid a $1,000 closing fee to the SBA!  Maybe it will be forgiven in the bailout?????  Just a joke

After five years, not even a $1.00 paycheck for my long hours, hard work and our entire life savings gone.  Guess we would have lost that anyway and sorry for so many others that did.

Maybe someone in government will someday really recognize the truly small businesses.  I know I'm not alone.

Angela, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, February 25, 2009 9:07 PM)



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