No one likes being stiffed by a client they’ve worked hard for. If you’re dealing with customers who aren’t paying what they owe, you need a good debt collection agency. Specifically, you need a collection agency that can provide you with these 4 things:

1. Knowledge of your particular state

Just because your collection agency has a bunch of different offices doesn’t mean they’re experts on your specific state. And, yes, that really does matter!

For example, debt collection in California rules and procedures can be totally different than the ones in Rhode Island. If you live in the Golden State and don’t work with a company that specializes in debt collection in California, they might make a mistake that costs you tons of money!

2. Fast service

A good debt collection agency may not always be able to get your money as quickly as you’d like, but they’ll be efficient enough to do everything they possibly can in a short amount of time. If you feel like you’re sitting around, waiting for your collection agency to actually do something, you’re working with the wrong one. After all, there’s no chance of you getting paid until they do something!

3. Quality communication

As frustrating as it may be, part of the debt collection process involves waiting. However, a good collection agency won’t keep you in the dark during those waiting periods. Instead, they’ll keep you up to date on any new developments — even if it’s just a quick phone call to let you know that your delinquent client is working hard to avoid them!

Bottom line — if you don’t know exactly what’s going on in your collection case, you’re working with the wrong debt collection agency!

4. Lots of “extras”

If you’re looking for a way to spend less of your own time on past-due bills and delinquent clients, a good debt collection agency can help you out. In fact, many of the good ones offer “extras” beyond just traditional debt collection — including accounts receivable management services.

What does that mean?

When you turn your accounts receivable management duties over to a collection agency, you’re outsourcing the entire process. They’ll send out the bills and keep track of who’s past due. Then, if it comes to it, they can take a formal debt collection role with delinquent clients — all without you having to do any of the work yourself!

As an added benefit, you don’t have to worry about hiring an accounts receivable management department. Instead, your debt collection agency will handle all of that for you, for a flat fee.