I’m sending out collection notices to all my late payers. I use a “Past Due” stamp on very late payments. I did one today and noticed that the little icon (a clock with the hands beyond the word “DUE”) and “PAST” is visible through the address window. I remember a customer yelling at me when my old boss did that. She said it’s illegal and that I should be ashamed of myself as if I sent the collection notice for my boss.
I don’t think it’s actually illegal and in my case unintentional. Is it tacky? Should I tear open the already stamped letter and reprint? Should I let it fly and hope he’s embarrassed into paying?
March 02, 2023, 09:50 AM
HRK
Depends, is it someone that you value their account and it's just a once in a while occurrence of being late or an account that's a constant PIA and always pays late.
If the later, let it fly, if they bitch, just explain if they paid on time that stamp would never be on the invoice to be seen through the window.
March 02, 2023, 09:51 AM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by HRK: Depends, is it someone that you value their account and it's just a once in a while occurrence of being late or an account that's a constant PIA and always pays late.
If the later, let it fly, if they bitch, just explain if they paid on time that stamp would never be on the invoice to be seen through the window.
I’ve already quit servicing their property so I don’t care if they get upset.
March 02, 2023, 10:03 AM
pedropcola
Then I think “who gives a shit” is the correct answer. Doubt it is illegal, that just sounds stupid.
March 02, 2023, 10:05 AM
NavyGuy
quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by HRK: Depends, is it someone that you value their account and it's just a once in a while occurrence of being late or an account that's a constant PIA and always pays late.
If the later, let it fly, if they bitch, just explain if they paid on time that stamp would never be on the invoice to be seen through the window.
I’ve already quit servicing their property so I don’t care if they get upset.
I think I'd reprint it. What you're trying to do is get the money owed to you, which apparently they are already dragging their feet on. Why give them something else to possibly be negative about.
Men fight for liberty and win it with hard knocks. Their children, brought up easy, let it slip away again, poor fools. And their grandchildren are once more slaves.
-D.H. Lawrence
March 02, 2023, 10:07 AM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by mark123: I’ve already quit servicing their property so I don’t care if they get upset.
March 02, 2023, 10:22 AM
calugo
Instead of sending out a late payment notice is it possible to pay them a visit in person to collect what's owed
March 02, 2023, 10:34 AM
RichardC
Send Moose and Rocko.
____________________
March 02, 2023, 10:36 AM
jhe888
You should review the Federal Debt Collection Practices Acts and any debt collection practices statutes in your state, and see whether those are violations. Penalties for non-compliance can be unpleasant. I don't do consumer debt collection, but there is a list of prohibited practices.
Aside from the statutes, it may be a little "tacky." If these are clients you can salvage, then consider that. If you don't care if you annoy them, then act accordingly.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
March 02, 2023, 11:14 AM
mark123
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: You should review the Federal Debt Collection Practices Acts and any debt collection practices statutes in your state, and see whether those are violations. Penalties for non-compliance can be unpleasant. I don't do consumer debt collection, but there is a list of prohibited practices.
Aside from the statutes, it may be a little "tacky." If these are clients you can salvage, then consider that. If you don't care if you annoy them, then act accordingly.
From what I understand, the creditor (me) isn’t held to the same standards as a third party collection agency. Looks like I’m in the clear.
March 02, 2023, 11:20 AM
jhe888
quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: You should review the Federal Debt Collection Practices Acts and any debt collection practices statutes in your state, and see whether those are violations. Penalties for non-compliance can be unpleasant. I don't do consumer debt collection, but there is a list of prohibited practices.
Aside from the statutes, it may be a little "tacky." If these are clients you can salvage, then consider that. If you don't care if you annoy them, then act accordingly.
From what I understand, the creditor (me) isn’t held to the same standards as a third party collection agency. Looks like I’m in the clear.
That sounds familiar, but as I say, I am not consumer debt collection expert.
The fish is mute, expressionless. The fish doesn't think because the fish knows everything.
March 02, 2023, 11:27 AM
parabellum
Yet another reason I could never own a business- trying to cajole people into paying their debts.
March 02, 2023, 11:27 AM
RogueJSK
quote:
Originally posted by calugo: Instead of sending out a late payment notice is it possible to pay them a visit in person to collect what's owed
Don't forget to bring your cousin Guido along to make vague remarks about how they have a nice yard and it'd be a shame if something were to happen to it.
March 02, 2023, 11:30 AM
bdylan
You should probably just fix it. It's not intentional, but you did notice it and you are contemplating making it right.
March 02, 2023, 12:04 PM
Perception
I'm in the kind of tacky camp. Customer going forward or not, your life is a lot easier now if they just pay it. They may or may not regardless of what you do, but why give them a reason to balk?
"The people hate the lizards and the lizards rule the people." "Odd," said Arthur, "I thought you said it was a democracy." "I did," said Ford, "it is." "So," said Arthur, hoping he wasn't sounding ridiculously obtuse, "why don't the people get rid of the lizards?" "It honestly doesn't occur to them. They've all got the vote, so they all pretty much assume that the government they've voted in more or less approximates the government they want." "You mean they actually vote for the lizards." "Oh yes," said Ford with a shrug, "of course." "But," said Arthur, going for the big one again, "why?" "Because if they didn't vote for a lizard, then the wrong lizard might get in."
March 02, 2023, 12:11 PM
V-Tail
quote:
Originally posted by RichardC:
Send Moose and Rocko.
Guido and Angelo are pretty good, too.
הרחפת שלי מלאה בצלופחים
March 02, 2023, 12:24 PM
ensigmatic
quote:
Originally posted by Perception: I'm in the kind of tacky camp. Customer going forward or not, your life is a lot easier now if they just pay it. They may or may not regardless of what you do, but why give them a reason to balk?
This ^^^^^
If they don't pay up, next time stamp it on the bill and on the envelope
(If that's ^^^^^ legal, of course.)
"America is at that awkward stage. It's too late to work within the system,,,, but too early to shoot the bastards." -- Claire Wolfe "If we let things terrify us, life will not be worth living." -- Seneca the Younger, Roman Stoic philosopher
March 02, 2023, 12:31 PM
SR
Can you file a lien on the property?
Speak softly and carry a big stick loaded Sig
March 02, 2023, 12:33 PM
HRK
quote:
Originally posted by mark123:
quote:
Originally posted by jhe888: You should review the Federal Debt Collection Practices Acts and any debt collection practices statutes in your state, and see whether those are violations. Penalties for non-compliance can be unpleasant. I don't do consumer debt collection, but there is a list of prohibited practices.
Aside from the statutes, it may be a little "tacky." If these are clients you can salvage, then consider that. If you don't care if you annoy them, then act accordingly.
From what I understand, the creditor (me) isn’t held to the same standards as a third party collection agency. Looks like I’m in the clear.
Correct you are the creditor as as such FDCPA doesn't apply, it only applies to third parties.
Still wouldn't put a "past due" on the outside, I'd just drive by when you know they are home and collect the last payment, thank them and go on, no need to encourage someone to speak negative about you or your business if they are the Ken/Karen type....
March 02, 2023, 02:50 PM
Krazeehorse
I messaged a guy once on his facebook page when his check bounced. He hadn't responded to written correspondence so I publicly asked if he received my envelope. I didn't mention what it was about. But I got paid.
_____________________
Be careful what you tolerate. You are teaching people how to treat you.
