Here is my commercial collections story.... maybe it will provide ideas (or at least a laugh)...
I once worked for a roofing inspection and design company as a PT bookeeper/receptionist/lackey. When I got there the books were a mess. I found over $50K in outstanding recievables. About $30K was actually just accounting errors (things not recorded)..but another $20K was legit... including about $8500 receivable owed by one real estate developer (I wont say who it is, but the owner is married to a "wallyworld" heiress..lol) that had contracted 2.5 years early for inspections of various properties... a mere few hundred bucks on each. I called their accounts payable department about it and they said..."that seems kinda old....if you can even prove we owe it." I faxed the proof of contracts (multiple properties, fortunately individual contracts) and said "now you prove you paid us." I got no call backs after a couple of weeks.
I called them on a Tuesday and said: "I know you all can afford to pay this. I know who your owner is married to. If I dont have a check for the full amount by Friday, I will file liens against each property separately and small claims against each property separately next Monday in *** County Court." I got a call back from their A/P (accounts payable) person the next day ..they cried uncle and said .."for a payment this large, we need 2 signatures and the principles are out of state until next week." I told them: "You have had 2.5 years to pay...this is why god created FedEx envelopes.... Friday noon...or small claims court Monday.." I hung up on them. {click}. Friday morning, I get a call..they are going to mail a check for the balance... I said... "ummm...no... I think the check has been 'in the mail' for 2.5 years.....how about I show up at your office and pick that up?" I drove through rush hour traffic and when I got there..I heard over the PA.... "Mr. {Snakes} is here for the pickup." They got me in and out like I had the plague...LOL
Meanwhile, my boss had just got back in town, our company is financially in trouble.....he was pissed that I wasnt in the office working on his reports. Instead, I had prepared payroll and put the checks on his desk....mine on top. When I got back, he said, "I dont know if we can do this now...the account is almost empty...."
I laid the check for $8500 on top of the paychecks...and said... "hmmm.....you damn well better sign my paycheck...and buy me a new printer why you are at it....the one I am using sucks." (he did on both counts)
The look of shock on my boss' face was precious... he never expected to collect that big account... he was afraid of their lawyers. I told him I eat lawyers for lunch. edited to add...of course "eating lawyers for lunch" is hyperbole..i did tell him that...I am not afraid of lawyers...but he really was afraid of their lawyers..he had told me to leave it alone..i ignored him..i needed to get paid... They just have a fancier piece of paper than me. I only have to be a tiny bit smarter than them... hell...that check was pocket change for that guy. The paperwork probably did get lost...on our end ....long before I got there the company had a fool for a bookeeper...excellent at solitaire.... lousy at doing her job.
Point is...and there really was one to this story..... you just have to be a tiny bit smarter than them. Good luck collecting that account Mr. Flipper...
Snakes ()
