What can you do to collect unpaid debts?
Business debt collection practices aim to simplify the management and retrieval of late payments while expediting the process. However, there are no rigid rules regarding these practices, as your approach will depend on your specific history with each customer and the reasons behind their overdue payments.
Before hiring a professional, consider these basic methods for collecting overdue debts. Let’s explore some options:
- Check if there were any problems: Verify if the customer received the invoice, or if it was unclear or did not meet their requirements. Confirm if the goods were delivered correctly or if there was an error in the address, and double check your system delivered the invoice correctly.
- Act promptly: Overdue invoices should be addressed immediately. The longer an invoice remains outstanding, the harder it is to collect.
- Contact the customer: Before seeking outside help, contact the person who owes you money directly, and keep a record of all communications and receipts.
- Offer solutions: Consider the possibility that the customer is experiencing financial constraints, in which case they may be open to a repayment schedule. By establishing a rapport with the customer. emphasizing the importance of your invoices, and showing your interest in helping them as well, you increase the likelihood of prioritized treatment and prompt payments.
When should you seek outside help?
If your efforts to collect the debt on your own have been unsuccessful, consider getting assistance from a business-to-business debt collection agency or a debt recovery attorney. These agents specialize in collecting debts on behalf of businesses like yours, and can help with contacting the delinquent client, negotiating repayment options, and exploring legal remedies. They work as middlemen between you and the customer, taking a percentage of the collected amount as payment for their services.
Can I hire a lawyer for commercial debt collection?
Yes, you can hire a debt collection lawyer for business-to-business debt collection. A debt recovery lawyer can advise you, assist through the legal process, and represent you in court. The entire debt should be balanced against the expense of legal representation.
Is legal action a good option for business to business debt collection?
Yes, but explore other options first. Legal actions can take a long time and cost a lot of money, and you can never be sure of the outcome. Before going to court, knowing how debts are collected in your country according to the law is important.
Can debt collectors contact your diligent clients anytime and anywhere?
No, debt collectors are bound by certain rules regarding when and how they can contact you about covered debts. There are also ways to stop a debt collector from contacting you if needed.
We’re happy you found this article informative! Go back to our blog page to find more tips, tricks and guidance on collections, to ensure your business gets paid.
If you have unpaid debts that need to be recovered, commercial debt collection may be a good option for your business. A commercial debt collection agency can help you with the process of recovering past-due accounts and provide guidance on best practices for managing accounts receivable.
Led by a team of experienced commercial debt collection attorneys, Monetaria Group has helped hundreds of businesses recover and collect their outstanding debts and payments. Schedule a FREE consultation with our expert team to see how we can help you recover your money today!