Frankly, given the legal and regulatory requirements involved in attempting to collect a debt, it makes as much sense to do it yourself as it does to try to remove your own appendix. A collection agency is, on the whole, much cheaper than a doctors - and lawyers. Do yourself a favor and let a professional collection agency handle this complex matter for you.
It is an unfortunate fact that the collections industry is not regulated much by the government. Absolutely anybody can set themselves up with an "office" and call themselves a collection agency. You don't have to be certified or accredited by anybody.
You don't need any kind of special degrees or anything like that to start a collection agency. So, while there are plenty of reputable, ethical collection agencies out there, are also plenty of con artists. It's a case of buyer very much beware.
Beyond making sure the collection agency is credible, you'll need to make sure they are right for your business. Each collection agency may have different specialties and, even if they don't, they might not have the specialized knowledge required to collect in your industry. A collection agency working in medical collections must be familiar with medical terminology and insurance requirements. Make sure the collection agency has the skills and knowledge needed to successfully collect on your particular type of account.
You will also have to consider the fact that the collection agency will have to be paid for their services. A collection agency usually charges you a percentage of the money they collect on your behalf; currently the industry standards range from 25% to50%, depending on the dollar amount of the account, the age of the account, how much overall business the collection agency gets (or expects to get) from you in the long run, and other factors. Some collection agencies charge a low flat fee per collection which may be a more affordable solution for some businesses.
What you really want to know about this collection agency, however, is what they quote as their average recovery rate. The collection agency cannot guarantee that they are going to collect the money you are owed, because their ability to do so will dependent on many unforeseen factors. But the collection agency can give you a percentage of approximately how much their collection agency collects of the accounts that are placed with them, in general and in your particular industry. That is going to be much more important than their commission rate.
Finally, you'll want to check your potential collection agency out with both the Better Business Bureau and your state's Attorney General's Office. Specifically, it is important to discover if there have been any complaints registered against them by disgruntled former clients, or if they have had to defend themselves against alleged violations of the Fair Debt Collection Act. Remember that this collection agency will be representing you and your business. You don't want the sort of collectors who threaten to break people's knee caps, or call their neighbors to harass them. Make sure you're dealing with real professionals.
With the right kind of collection agency, you will be able to develop a real working relationship with the account executive who is servicing your account. These guys can be enormously helpful, particularly when it comes to dealing with bad-tempered debtors. There are going to be distinct legal limits to the kinds of things you can say and do, no matter now nasty people who owe your money become, and consulting your collection agency rep is a lot cheaper than talking to your lawyer. As long as all parties involved recognize the fact that yours is a partnership, in which both of you treat each other professionally, you will be well on your way to a good, long-term working relationship.
collection agency outsourcing offers you free information on collection agencies and debt collections issues.
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..If you discovered the bottom line in your business depended... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
Boston itself covers 50 square miles of concrete and traffic,... Read More
The resume writing service serves an important role in the... Read More
Consistency is a huge word when operating your business. I... Read More
Too often in business we get trapped into reviewing our... Read More
What are the best methods for keeping a good business... Read More
I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More
One of the most common horrific mistakes a business can... Read More
Rule 15C211Under SEC Rule 15C211, a U.S. securities broker or... Read More
Most businesses accept checks as form of payment for goods... Read More
Becoming a contractor or sub-contractor for the U.S. government can... Read More
Here are some important points to take note of if... Read More
In the 2003 Auto Laundry News Survey it was determined... Read More
Do you spend every waking minute in your business? Do... Read More
Unfortunately for all buyers, each selling organization and their individual... Read More
The choice to incorporate a small business in Florida has... Read More
Data. Most people think it is a term relegated to... Read More
What is a Virtual Assistant?A Virtual Assistant is a person... Read More
Your on-line success is based on your efforts and yours... Read More
No matter how small your small business is, it is... Read More
I'll be the first to admit that I went a... Read More
Do you know what your genius work is? It's the... Read More
Franchising is the fastest way to build small businesses, provide... Read More
You're pretty proud of yourself! After all, only four months... Read More
on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..I propose this thought on the subject of Franchisee territory... Read More
In today's fast paced marketplace it is easy to neglect... Read More
The life cycle of the typical small business is short... Read More
Here are some useful tips on what to consider before... Read More
So you think you're not justified in taking time away... Read More
The bad things starts with the letter 'O'?.like Obstacles, Obstruction,... Read More
Did you know that satisfaction is the number one emotion... Read More
Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More
Do You Really Need a Toll-Free Number for Your Business?... Read More
You've heard marketing and advertising gurus quip, "Sell the sizzle,... Read More
Washing the exterior of a truck. Sounds easy right? Well,... Read More
Back when I owned an inventory-based business, one of my... Read More
When we speak of branding most of the time people... Read More
Want your small business to flip instead of flop?! Statistically... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
Some things in business are relatively easy to measure ?... Read More
Just a few years ago, when one thought of a... Read More
Your product is dying. With the same inevitability that we... Read More
10 Best Practices to consider as your SBIR negotiations approach... Read More
What is the best time to expand a mobile car... Read More
The American system of business management has been admired and... Read More
Q: A friend told me that as a woman of... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
Are the promoters and consultants destroying the market for Reverse... Read More
When working properly, computers enable small businesses to make big... Read More
Small Business |