most SW will have a try-out mode disabling itself after a test period oder adding nag screens if sold to more than 2 dozen customers or partially crippled working like only 10 customers and 1000 orders possible.

Even contract work will seldom payed in full in advance. You might get away with a company paying expenses for you to come over to discuss/show in person, but in the age of video comm this is becoming a far out exception... Need more info about details b4 trying for alternatives.

Expensive contract will be payed according to prediscussed implemented milestones (or time/effort needed). A go-between like a notary might be acceptable to customer, but typical customer over here has longer company history and stable adress, arguing for you to pull him before court if he does not pay up. Having a local sales rep donning 2. hat going after customers not paying their agreed upon amount might make the situation less strange...

Distrust of US courts quite high over here, perhaps influenced by US TV shows and some specific cases resulting in for our taste ridicolous decisions.

>Hi,
>
>I was wondering, what are the typical payment terms for software in Europe? Is it unreasonable for an American company to have a European company pay in advance (prior to the installation)? I understand it various from case to case, but any input would be helpful.
>
>TIA