I Need a Collections Agency

[Vettezuki]

I have a former customer who thinks it's okay not to pay. I need an agency that's going to persuade him otherwise.

[joedls]

I have a former customer who thinks it's okay not to pay. I need an agency that's going to persuade him otherwise.

Do you have a written agreement that spells out your payment terms? How much are you owed?

In my business, we are protected by mechanic's lien laws as long as we do all the proper paperwork. But if we don't get paid and somehow our lien rights have expired or we have waived them somehow, then we will file a lawsuit with the appropriate court. Generally it's small claims court because we tend to be diligent about our lien rights on projects of any size. If we are a subcontractor we also go after the license bond of the company we worked for and try to get their license revoked. We very seldom have to end up in court. Just the act of filing usually gets their attention as long as we have valid proof that we are owed the money.

[Vettezuki]

We do have a signup agreement that spells out when they'll be invoiced and how long they have to pay. They're moving, so I think they just thought they could disappear. Bollocks I say!

It's not at all much money ($150), but I don't like being stolen from so I'd like to take this opportunity to make it unpleasant for them. Maybe they'll think twice before trying to screw the next guy. gunfish recently used an agency and gave me a referral.

[Chuck]

Ill cruise over there with the 50 Cal. For 20 bucks and a 12 pack.

[Vettezuki]

Ill cruise over there with the 50 Cal. For 20 bucks and a 12 pack.

Fine. But you don't get the 12 pack til after you collect. Otherwise, you'll just drink it and forget what the hell you were supposed to be doing. :smack:

[injdinjn]

For $150 you are not going to get a collection agency to pursue it. And a legal shark charges at least that for just sending them a letter.
Are they a inc that is going under if yes you are SOL. If not, like sole prop, you can file a small claims against them. Costs about $30 to file and if you win and they still don't pay you can have lots of fun with them legally.
And the judgment includes all court costs and filing fees but not your time or lost wages. You can get the forms on line and mail everything in.

When I started my business a guy told me, "I will spend $5000 to collect $200, nobody gets away without paying".

[gsteichen]

For $150 you are not going to get a collection agency to pursue it. And a legal shark charges at least that for just sending them a letter.
Are they a inc that is going under if yes you are SOL. If not, like sole prop, you can file a small claims against them. Costs about $30 to file and if you win and they still don't pay you can have lots of fun with them legally.
And the judgment includes all court costs and filing fees but not your time or lost wages. You can get the forms on line and mail everything in.

When I started my business a guy told me, "I will spend $5000 to collect $200, nobody gets away without paying".

We handle it in-house- statement, statement with late charges,call,letter,small claims.

We only outsource if we -
get a judgement and
have trouble getting our money and
the money is worth it.

We did have a pit-bull work one client for us years ago. He was playing "asset asset who's got the asset" after we got a judgement. She worked his controller to the point that the guy went out on a stress-leave 'cause she scared him soo bad:nutkick:. She doesn't work cheap, let me know if justice is worth it.

[gunfish]

We handle it in-house- statement, statement with late charges,call,letter,small claims.

We only outsource if we -
get a judgement and
have trouble getting our money and
the money is worth it.

We did have a pit-bull work one client for us years ago. He was playing "asset asset who's got the asset" after we got a judgement. She worked his controller to the point that the guy went out on a stress-leave 'cause she scared him soo bad:nutkick:. She doesn't work cheap, let me know if justice is worth it.

As I told Ben, sometimes justice really is worth it. There are definitely times when I love to watch a low-life piece of dung scramble for a life preserver, no matter what the cost (almost).

[Vettezuki]

I decided to take over and write an email as the Director. Check showed up. It's happened several times in my life, unfortunately. Some people can be real lax and holding up their end of a deal, until it becomes clear that not doing so is going to be more expensive in some fashion than just getting square. Never underestimate the power of sheer tenacity. :thumbs_up:

Thanks for the references and advice. My guess is this won't be the last time and at some point I might run into a real hard head.