How To Effectively Collect Debt
The fact of the matter is, the more time that passes between the time the payment was unpaid and the time the customer is contacted, the less likely you are to be given any sort of payment. If you're serious about making a profit, there are three ways to handle collection on past debt; in house efforts, hiring a collection agency, or taking legal action.
Collecting the debt unassisted: If the debt is new or small, in all probability you will start by trying to collect the debt yourself before hiring a collection agency or a lawyer. The most productive way to start the process of collecting an uncollected debt is by calling the debtor. Many nonpaying customers can talk a great talk on the phone, but then never deliver. If the business is local, do one's best to make an appointment with their finance manager to talk face to face.
Another productive way to motivate patrons to make a payment is by utilizing a 10 day demand letter. Some collection agencies offer a free 10 day demand letter service that includes postage and mailing of a demand letter sent on official collection agency letterhead. Many times, this is enough to get your customer to part with their payment.
Hire a Collection Agency: Many small companies at first dont think of hiring a collection agency to collect on delinquent debts, but of the outsourced solutions, a collection agency is usually the most cost effective and gets the best results. With a collection agency, you don't pay until they collect the debt, meaning that the collection agency is highly impeled to find a way to get the customer to pay. Because they don't get paid unless you do, a collection agency tends to work fast and much more efficient when working on a contingency basis.
Today's current collection agencies don't use scare tactics or bully customers. Besides, not all clientle who are behind on payments are deadbeats. When you choose a collection agency, make sure one of its goals is to maintain extreme professionalism and one that fallows the FDCPA diligently.
Taking the legal road: Another idea to collecting a debt is to take legal action whether by taking the debtor to small claims court or by hiring a lawyer to pursue the debtor.
Collecting the debt unassisted: If the debt is new or small, in all probability you will start by trying to collect the debt yourself before hiring a collection agency or a lawyer. The most productive way to start the process of collecting an uncollected debt is by calling the debtor. Many nonpaying customers can talk a great talk on the phone, but then never deliver. If the business is local, do one's best to make an appointment with their finance manager to talk face to face.
Another productive way to motivate patrons to make a payment is by utilizing a 10 day demand letter. Some collection agencies offer a free 10 day demand letter service that includes postage and mailing of a demand letter sent on official collection agency letterhead. Many times, this is enough to get your customer to part with their payment.
Hire a Collection Agency: Many small companies at first dont think of hiring a collection agency to collect on delinquent debts, but of the outsourced solutions, a collection agency is usually the most cost effective and gets the best results. With a collection agency, you don't pay until they collect the debt, meaning that the collection agency is highly impeled to find a way to get the customer to pay. Because they don't get paid unless you do, a collection agency tends to work fast and much more efficient when working on a contingency basis.
Today's current collection agencies don't use scare tactics or bully customers. Besides, not all clientle who are behind on payments are deadbeats. When you choose a collection agency, make sure one of its goals is to maintain extreme professionalism and one that fallows the FDCPA diligently.
Taking the legal road: Another idea to collecting a debt is to take legal action whether by taking the debtor to small claims court or by hiring a lawyer to pursue the debtor.
About the Author:
Jonathan Summers is working for a nationwide debt collection agency that offers the most pristine debt collection service in the collection business