Think of the Individual in Collections

by Peg
(Trenton, NJ)

I think that the tendency when a person goes into collections is to do what is best for the business. It makes financial sense for the business to collect as much money as possible.

While, say, $100 is pocket change to the business, it may be life or death to the individual. In this economy we need to pay special attention to each individual case.

I think this means listening to sob stories, if needed. Each person is different and so, so many people are severely hurting right now.

I, myself, lost my job and had to return to my home state. Luckily I was able to find full-time work relatively quickly but that does not pay my bills. I have had to take on second and third jobs and I have been laid off from both of them.

Thankfully I have had enough money in the bank to pay the minimums on all of my bills. It has been just enough to keep me out of collections agencies. However, one unexpected expense, one missed paycheck, and I would be missing my payments.

So my advice to you as an agency trying to establish trustworthiness is to listen to the clients whom you are after. Maybe they cannot afford even an extra $10 a month payment. Be flexible, especially if your business is thriving. It will mean more to the consumer than you can imagine and that consumer (when back on his/her feet) will be a loyal, paying customer.