Choosing The Right Debt Collection Agency

If you are owed money you know that you can’t just sit back and hope that you’ll be paid. But going out and getting your money is something that’s easier said than done. If you were in charge of a multinational corporation then you could afford a team of debt collectors that could go out and get things done but small businesses and individuals need to hire third party collectors to handle things for them, from checking the PPSR to making calls and taking legal action if necessary. There are a lot of agencies out there that say they’ll get the job done but if you want things done right you need to be careful about choosing an agency that fits your particular situation.

Figure out what you need and find agencies that offer the sort of programs that meet your needs. Generally your main concerns will be the volume of debtors you have and the size of their debts. If you have a lot of debtors who owe around a hundred dollars then your needs will be different than they would be if you had one debtor who owed thousands of dollars. The debt collection process must be tailored to the situation, one big debtor will require a more focused and personalized approach while a large volume of debtors will work best with an impersonal approach. You have to be careful so that you don’t spend more than you can afford on any outstanding case if you want to end up ahead when all is said and done.

Make sure to ask how the debt collectors expect to be paid. Some agencies want payments up from while others take a percentage of what they collect and then you have those that request a bit of both. Given the variator from one case to another with regards for everything from the terms of trade to the financial standing of the debtor it is all to easy to end up wasting money if you aren’t careful about your collection process. Set up your budget in advance and be realistic about what you expect with regards to collections, you may not get everything you are owed but with careful planning you can minimize losses.

Remember that for this process to work out in your favor you need to have handled it correctly from the beginning. Collectors are legally limited based on your due diligence. If you just lend people money with a verbal contract then you aren’t going to get that money back even if you hire the best collection agency you can find. You need to take care to properly document every step from the initial agreement to transaction forms whenever needed. Only when everything is documented can you confidently hire a collector who can take your case to court if necessary.

Hopefully now it is clear that you shouldn’t go with the first collection agency you find. It takes time to find the right fit but if you are planning on lending in the years to come then you absolutely must have a collection agency you know you can trust. I shouldn’t have to tell you that debt can be dangerous for all sides involved if you aren’t careful and connected, so there are few investments as important as the time and money you spend getting connected with a trustworthy and efficient collector.