First you have to make sure that the firm or persons that will attend to the collection of your single collection matter or regular monthly handovers will attend to it in a manner acceptable to yourself and which is results driven for not only them but for you as a client.

The best collectors have a range of skills that make them successful – intelligence, intuition, the ability to be objective, quick thinking to adapt to new situations, good communication skills, the ability to solve problems and do all this according to current laws.

Here are some quick pointers to be on the look out for to indicate when to hand over an amount which is due and payable to you or your business.

Generally, if an account is 90 days and older, it should be handed over for debt collection.  We have experienced that a debtor after 90 days do not take your requests or demands really any serious any longer and a new strategy is needed.

At this point, the terms and conditions for time period to pay for credit granted or extended period for payment granted has been broken and the relationship has soured.

After 90 days the debtor has received several statements and letters to request and or demand payment and you as the creditor is concerned at the lack of response for payment.

Your next best step is to hand over the matter to a trusted firm or person to attend to collecting the debt on your behalf.  In a lot of these situations it has progressed to a situation where you feel “bad” for calling or inquiring regarding monies owed to you!

The following are good indications of a serious cash flow problem or the person or business negligent and or delaying payment.  These are good reasons to hand over earlier than the suggested 90 days.

Common excuses:

The cheque is in the post!

• Payment is promised for a specific date, but no proof of action taken.
• The telephone number of the debtor or contact person is disconnected or no answer to phone calls made.Even messages sent not answered.
• Debtor or representative repeatedly requests additional documentation for proof of amount outstanding even though it is clear the amount owed or previous promises to pay made.

  This happens on a regular basis and is mostly done when debtors want to delay payment. 

• When the Debtor acknowledges the debt but is reluctant or refuse to provide a specific date for payment.
• Broken promise to pay for more than 2 times even on previous accounts outstanding.

  Remember the debtor may have several creditors to pay and yes payment may only be made at a later stage but the faster you come in line for payment the better.

• The person admits he/she received the goods/services, but denies being responsible for payment in cases like in divorces, this situation regularly occurs. The one party incurs the debt and refers you to the other party for payment. These disputes are not easily dealt with and tact should be used when confronting the debtor and resolving payment or the statement.
• I can't pay - do whatever you want.

  In most cases this is only a bluff with the expectation for you to forget about collecting the debt or thinking it will be a waste or your money and time.  It is never a lost case before we at least tried with the minimum steps available and access the situation.  We will be honest in our advice to give you the opportunity to make an informed decision.

• Debit order payment arrangements or Electronic payments reversed.
• Debtor suddenly after all concerns addressed raises a new dispute regarding payment.This is for instance when a debtor indicated will make payment and then suddenly objects to payment on the basis of disputing the service not properly rendered or product delivered not working.
• Debtor claims to be unemployed

All of the above are good reasons to contact us to discuss the matter/s and hand over for debt collection by our debt collection department.