When it comes to collecting on delinquent commercial accounts, businesses have several choices of commercial collection agencies. When choosing a commercial collection agency, you should consider these five key questions:
Are They Certified?
Certification from the International Association of Commercial Collectors (IACC) is one of the best ways to ensure that your commercial collection agency is reliable and trustworthy. Certification requires that agencies adhere to a strict code of ethics, which helps to protect both creditors and debtors. Furthermore, certified agencies must undergo regular audits to ensure that they are complying with the latest industry standards.
What is Their Fee Structure?
Some agencies will charge you a flat fee regardless of whether they’re successful in collecting the debt, while others will only charge a fee if they’re actually able to collect the money owed to you. You’ll want to choose an agency that charges a fee only if they’re successful in collecting the debt. In addition, some agencies will offer a free demand letter as part of their service. Be sure to ask about their fee structure and whether they offer a free demand letter. It could make all the difference in your bottom line.
How are Their Online reviews?
Reviews can give you a sense of an agency’s reputation, so they’re important to check. You’ll be able to get an idea of their effectiveness and customer service, along with their fees. If an agency has a lot of complaints about its fees, that may be a sign that it’s not a good value for the money.
Can They Supply Performance Indicators?
The commercial collection industry is a competitive one. To stay ahead of the competition, it is important for agencies to monitor their success rate. This success rate is typically measured by the Recovery Rate Metrics (RRM), which is the percentage of debt that is successfully recovered by the agency. Reviewing the success rates of commercial collection agencies can help businesses make informed decisions about which agency to hire. Another important metric to consider is how much of their recoveries are made without litigation. If an agency relies heavily on litigation for recoveries, it will drive up your fees.
What is Their Experience?
One of the most important things to consider when choosing an agency is the experience of its staff. Ask about average tenure and turnover rates to get a sense of how stable the workforce is. An experienced team will have a better understanding of the legal landscape and know how to work within the parameters of the law to collect on your behalf. In addition, an experienced staff will have developed strong communication and negotiation skills, which can be critical in getting results.
By doing your research, you can be sure to select an agency that will be effective in helping you collect on your debts. An experienced team with a strong track record of success is essential for getting the best results. So before deciding, be sure to research different agencies and ask lots of questions. You’ll be glad you did!
Commercial Collectors Inc. (CCI) is NACM North Central’s preferred collection services provider. Having worked with NACM North Central members for many years, CCI has the knowledge and experience needed to provide efficient, effective, service-focused collections to reduce write-offs. To find out how CCI can help you, contact Larry Barthel at [email protected] or (763) 453-7408, or visit our website.
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