When Should I Call In a Credit Collection Agency?
When Should I Call In a Credit Collection Agency?
by JR Rooney
You should call in a credit collection agency sooner rather than later. The longer you wait to begin the collection process on overdue accounts, the less of a chance you'll have at recovering your money.
The day after an account becomes overdue, you should place a polite phone call to the customer who owes you money. If that doesn't work, you may want to send a few reminder letters yourself, or you may want to go directly to a credit collection agency. Base your decision on how much money is owed to you and the history of your relationship with the customer. If it's the first time you are doing business with them, you'll want to call in a credit collection agency earlier than you would with a 10-year customer with a solid credit history.
Most companies call in a credit collection agency once a debt is 60 days to 90 days past due. If you wait much longer than 90 days to begin collecting past-due receivables, your chance of collecting drops dramatically.
If you discover that your account has gone out of business, find out what type of business it was - a corporation, a partnership, or a proprietorship. If it was a corporation, don't even bother calling for the help of a collection agency. It is doubtful that you, or any one else, will be able to squeeze the last few nickels out of that client. If the company is a partnership or a proprietorship, you may be able to get the individual owners of the company to pay you out of their own pockets.
If you try to recover a debt and cannot, consider that bad debt a tax-deductible item (Tax Code IRC 166, Reg. 1.166). You will be able to deduct the cost of the goods sold (but not paid for) as an ordinary business expense. You can't deduct any lost profits from the sale, nor can you deduct the money owed for services rendered.
Rapid Recovery Solution can help
by JR Rooney
You should call in a credit collection agency sooner rather than later. The longer you wait to begin the collection process on overdue accounts, the less of a chance you'll have at recovering your money.
The day after an account becomes overdue, you should place a polite phone call to the customer who owes you money. If that doesn't work, you may want to send a few reminder letters yourself, or you may want to go directly to a credit collection agency. Base your decision on how much money is owed to you and the history of your relationship with the customer. If it's the first time you are doing business with them, you'll want to call in a credit collection agency earlier than you would with a 10-year customer with a solid credit history.
Most companies call in a credit collection agency once a debt is 60 days to 90 days past due. If you wait much longer than 90 days to begin collecting past-due receivables, your chance of collecting drops dramatically.
If you discover that your account has gone out of business, find out what type of business it was - a corporation, a partnership, or a proprietorship. If it was a corporation, don't even bother calling for the help of a collection agency. It is doubtful that you, or any one else, will be able to squeeze the last few nickels out of that client. If the company is a partnership or a proprietorship, you may be able to get the individual owners of the company to pay you out of their own pockets.
If you try to recover a debt and cannot, consider that bad debt a tax-deductible item (Tax Code IRC 166, Reg. 1.166). You will be able to deduct the cost of the goods sold (but not paid for) as an ordinary business expense. You can't deduct any lost profits from the sale, nor can you deduct the money owed for services rendered.
Rapid Recovery Solution can help
Thanks, Nice article. Now a days collection agency are playing most important role in any business organization.
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Short and sweet, to the point. I have written many books and articles on this topic but it can never be said enough - especially in this down economy!
Some things to point out that are very important are:
See that your collection service is fully acquainted with the nature of the goods or services involved. Professional collection services are personal in nature. If the collection service is familiar with the goods and services your company provides, it will be better suited to handle the complex situations that arise during collection.
Do not place an account with more than one collection service. Make sure that if you change collection agencies, the account is only being worked on by one service.
Choosing a professional collection service to manage delinquent accounts and other related tasks is a wise decision. The agency should represent your organization in a responsible and professional manner, and provide a satisfactory rate of recovery while maintaining your public image. This decision involves more that just giving your business to the lowest bidder - it requires careful consideration.
Consider the following qualifications and credentials when choosing a collection service.
• Is the agency a member of a national trade association? Membership is an indication of professional integrity.
• Does the agency belong to a local Chamber of Commerce?
• Does the agency charge fees that are clearly stated?
• Is the agency prepared to give the best possible service? An agency cannot guarantee results on any specific date, but will often estimate an average recovery rate that one can expect.
• Will the agency be sensitive to a consumer's individual situation? The agency should promptly notify you when it discovers a consumer who is a hardship case and recommend a proper procedure to follow.
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Thank You Michelle. As a leading woman in the collection field, it is an honor that you wrote to me. I too, am a woman that seeks to be successful in this field. I appreciate your comment, and John says hi.
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