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Question
I have started a home cleaning business about 3 months ago and have a client who has not paid me with money owing of $240.00. Over the last six weeks I have contacted him by phone and alse texted him. At first he stated that the money had been paid into my account but this did not happen. I have a copy of my invoice to prove his statement.
Have checked my bank account many times.
He will not reply to my phone calls or any other means of contact. What can I do?
Jacqueline,
Did you have this customer sign a contract, agreement or a credit application?
I would suggest you send them a collection letter right away, that has some firm language and points out the fact that they said they paid this to your account but did not. Also include a specific date that this must be paid by or you will take further action.
Go to the post office and get one of the red, white & blue priority mail flat rate envelopes.
Put your letter in that envelope and send it with delivery confirmation.
This usually works very well, once you have the delivery confirmation, start calling them again and tell them you are calling to take their payment over the phone, by credit card or check by phone if you have those capabilities.
Call every other day and ask specific questions such as:
When did you mail the check?
Where did you mail it, what address?
How much was the check for?
What is the check number?
I hope this helps!
Michelle
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Answers by Expert:
Michelle Dunn
Expertise
As one of the Top 5 Women in Collections, one of the Top 50 Collection Professionals, and winner of the Business Excellence award, I can answer any questions about debt, debt collection, improving business credit, creating a credit policy, enforcing a credit policy and collecting on past due accounts. I can also answer questions in regards to starting a debt collection agency since I have been a bill collector for over 24 years, started and ran my own collection agency for 8 years, and maintain my 12 year old Credit & Collections Association for members of the credit & debt collection industry. I am also the author of the popular and award winning book "Starting a Collection Agency, how to make money collecting money" now on it's 3rd edition. This book has won a the Writers Digest self published award as well as the New York Book Festival Award. I am a repeat contributor to the Wall Street Journal, and have been featured on NPR, CNN, as well as many other national radio and television programs. I have also been featured in national publications such as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Smart Money, MSNBC and much more. I have 17 published books to my name and am an accomplished speaker and consultant. I currently write 9 columns for newspapers, magazines and online portals worldwide.
Experience
I have over 24 years experience in debt collection, I started and ran my own collection agency for 8 years and I am the founder & owner of my Credit & Collections Association that I founded in 1998. www.credit-and-collections.com
Organizations
My Credit & Collections Association, I was also a member of the American Collectors Association and Plymouth Chamber of Commerce for 11 years. I am a member of many writing groups as well as my local Women Inspiring Women chapter. I am a member of Know More Media as an expert for their blog on business credit.
Publications
Business NH Magazine, Smart Money Magazine, MSNBC, CNN, Forbes.com, The Wall Street Journal, Home Business Magazine, Entrepreneur Magazine and website, many books, newspapers and television programs as well.
Education/Credentials
I have written 17 books in my collecting money series and one for Entrepreneur Press called the Ultimate Credit and Collections Handbook. My newest book is being published by John Wiley & Sons in May titled, The Guide to Getting Paid, how to weed out bad paying customers, collect on past due balances and avoid bad debt. This book is also being sold to many colleges as a text book.
Awards and Honors
My book Starting a Collection Agency, how to make money collecting money won an award from Writers Digest and the 2007 New York Book Festival in the "How to" category. I have won 2 awards from Dun & Bradstreet and Governor Jean Shaheen. I was nominated as one of the Top 5 Women in Collections twice as well as having been selected as one of Collection Advisor's Top 50 Collection Professionals by my peers.
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