Turning the deadbeats over to collections

[musician/lawnman]

I don't know about you guys but I've got a few that are just flat out deadbeat bums. I've had it. I've called, stopped by, sent reminders I've done it all & they duck you at every turn. It sucks that people feel they can just ignore you. Well Here's what I say. SCREW EM'! Today I called a collections agency, they charge 30% if they recover funds, 0% if they don't. They run a skip trace off of name & last known address & send a notice of collections to the debtor. If no reply in 30 days, they report to transworld who then reports to equifax & whatever the hell the other major credit beuro is called. Then it'll trash their credit score. Only catch at all is that well the company will attempt to collect any amount.... debts of $50 or less will not be picked up by the credit bueros. I say fine you know what?.... after months of attempting to collect on my own. That $30 mowing debt is easily $55 with late fees! I know it's kinda a jerk thing to do & that the people that owe me money will be MF'n me all over town but tough crap. Pay yer damn debts! I may never see any money from these jerk offs but at least I know they're a few points lower on the credit score & It will cost em' significantly more than they owe me when the shmucks buy their next damn car! I can't just decide not to pay my phone, cable, water, or any other bill for that matter without consequences.... So neither can they. Guys, being small busniess owners doesn't mean we have to take it in the as@! I suggest you do the same unless that's how you like it.

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[Steve]

Lawn care business tips

Chuck, Were any of these situations where you could put a lien on their property?

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[musician/lawnman]

Nah, I got about 5 people that owe anywhere from $50-$300. Not really huge in the big schkeem of things but it's principle. Their almost all renters.

[Steve]

Nah, I got about 5 people that owe anywhere from $50-$300. Not really huge in the big schkeem of things but it's principle. Their almost all renters.

I wonder if you can still put a lien on a property if you provide a service for it and it's to a renter.

In a previous post, one of the forum members was talking about how he would get paid from the renter's security deposit if the renter didn't pay.

Could that help you here? Maybe getting in touch with the landlord?

Do you mind posting the contact info to this collection agency? I have a couple of accounts that I was just going to write off but after reading this post i still have some hope to collect something.

[musician/lawnman]

Sure Shane why not....

The agency I called is:
Universal Collections (Leslie - was her name)
Phone: (941) 639-9648
Fax: (941) 639-6447
Email: wecollect@embarqmail.com

Not sure how they'll do yet, but who cares really! It's a win/lose! Either I win some money back or they lose their credit scores. Either way... I'm good with that. Like you said, I had all but written them off already so whatever happens, happens.

[musician/lawnman]

Ps. I want some rep power points for that.... haha.

You got them from me but who am I?!

So Chuck, tell us how you really feel.

Just kidding i know how you feel. I hate it when people basicly steel service from me. This may be a good idea you have here

I suppose they are ducking contact since they recognize you, your truck, or your uniform? If so here are several ideas (some of which you may have tried already):

1. Consider sending someone else (employee they have never seen, complete stranger, etc) in an unmarked vehicle, but with ID so they can not say they can't prove the person is with your business. Think about even going yourself but wearing a uniform shirt or what ever your would be wearing if you showed up to mow their lawn but with perhaps a button down shirt slipped on over the top to cover up the logo. Don't wear or drive anything they would recognize as being from your "ABCDE Lawncare business"...

2. Consider sending a certified letter. This does several things, a) you are using the unsuspecting evidence: the mail carrier. They can no longer say they did not receive the bill or what ever you send. b) If they end up signing for it you already know they still live there which takes me to idea # 3.

3. Have you tried small claims court? Or is there no such thing in your state? If you have access to a small claims court you may have a minimal expense to file a suit against them and then bring them into the court to face the wrath of the judge.

In some states when you file a suit in a small claims court you may have the option of how the summons to court is served: by the local Sheriff's Department, or by a Private process server. You may have to go through an attorney to get access to a private process server. Here is where the info from the idea in 2b becomes useful. If you know positively that the person lives there (from the signature on the certified letter return) you can provide this info to the process server. Additional info that is nice for the process server to have is: vehicle they drive, telephone numbers, place of employment, family members who may know where to find them, any oter contact info, etc.

Once they are served with process and they fail to show for their court date there may be a warrant for their arrest for contempt of court. again, they created the problem, not you.

If they do show for court and you receive a judgement in your favor you may be able to charge them with the cost of pursuing them including late fees, court costs, cost to serve papers, etc, to help you minimize your out of pocket. if they do show up to your court date be sure to ask the judge if the Judge can find judgement for these additional expenses (and have the expenses at hand). In Missouri, and I assume it is similar in other states, if the people are employed, you can then garnish their wages. If they are unemployed and don't pay, you can go back to the court and continue the process.

I know this sounds like a long process but again, it is partly for the principal. If you have major outstanding accounts I would recommend using an attorney for these and making these to be the first ones you pursue. If you decide to not use an attorney start with the smaller accounts in case you loose them you have lost less......

I would obviously try options 1 and 2 first as they are much less time consuming and expensive. Just make sure you add your late fees and penalties etc. Just remember, when you spend an hour trying to collect, that should be at least partially on them, not you. After all, it is because of them.

Thus some preliminary figures:

$35.00 bill over due by 5 months
$25.00 late fees (at $5.00 per month)
$ 5.00 in interest (preliminary at $1 per month to make it easy to figure)
$65.00 total. Now you have $30 to either pay for your labor and agravation or to reimburse the collection agency fees.....