You are absolutely correct when you say the majority of our clients (mine are too) honest, fair, kind and good people. I have made it a point to get rid of the ones who are not

Killing them with kindness may work on occaison but  I haven't found it to be successful. Mainly because companies who are willing to let you work for free have no ethics or morals to begin with.

When I was still doing searches I covered Nassau, Westchester and Rockland counties in NY and Bergen in NJ, just the driving time, bridge tolls, etc.., sucked up 3-4 hours a day depending on traffic, I was working 14-16 hours a day. So I can't imagine not paying the guys who do my work, I consider them part of my team, without them I have no company. I wouldn't be able to sleep at night!

Last year I quit working for the last 2 companies who I had to chase for my money, they both paid me, but I have better things to do like get more work.