At C2C Resources, we understand that for our clients, the process of collecting a debt can feel like a balancing act.

Communication with a delinquent customer can be like delicate balancing act. You need just the right amount of friendly and the right amount of squeeze. And somewhere in the middle, there may be a need for the right amount of compromise.

At C2C Resources, we advise that the best place to start to collect a debt is by making an assumption.

Yes. You read that right. Make the assumption that a past due invoice is a simple oversight. Start with a quick and friendly reminder phone call or send a friendly reminder letter and move on to your next task.

But if you’ve sent a nice reminder (or two), made a friendly call (or two) that got you nowhere, then it’s time to fire up the heat by adding a significant consequence.

The following sample debt collection letter does just that. Here, we’ve stripped out the ‘friendly’ and added a credit hold, which for most customers, is just the right amount of heat to put that invoice at the top of the heap.

Dear _____________,

We value your business.

Because we value your business, we are concerned that your past due balance of [$$] has not been paid.

Regretfully, we must place your credit privileges with us on hold until payment is received on the outstanding balance.

We do not make these decisions lightly, however, it is important that we are fair to our business and that we require our customers honor their commitment to our credit terms.

Please give me a call if there is a problem in sending your check for the past due balance today.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

[Your name]

At C2C Resources, we’re intentional about advising our clients to begin the quest for payment by assuming the best, and increasing the heat with each communication until payment is received.