Using debt collectors Autor de la hebra: Jennifer Forbes
|
|---|
have any "Prozies" had experience of using debt collectors? I resorted to using one last year for the first time, to collect a large overdue debt from a French agency. The firm I used was recommended to me because it specialised in foreign debt. They charged 15% of any funds I received as from the date of our agreement, but they proved to be most unsatisfactory. For a start they put a woman who didn't speak French on to my case. Ultimately I did receive part of the funds owed, mainly due to... See more have any "Prozies" had experience of using debt collectors? I resorted to using one last year for the first time, to collect a large overdue debt from a French agency. The firm I used was recommended to me because it specialised in foreign debt. They charged 15% of any funds I received as from the date of our agreement, but they proved to be most unsatisfactory. For a start they put a woman who didn't speak French on to my case. Ultimately I did receive part of the funds owed, mainly due to my own efforts and because I visited the agency in person while I was in France. The debt collectors refused to send me a report on what they had done for me and on how matters stood, although their terms stated that they would keep me regularly updated. Ultimately they caused me nearly as much frustration as the defaulting agency - and I still had to pay them the 15% because I had agreed to do so. I hope never to be in that situation again, but I'd be interested to hear the experiences of any ProZ members on this subject. ▲ Collapse
| | | | PRen (X) 
Local time: 04:08
francés al inglés
+ ...
| How about using a lawyer? | Jan 25, 2007 |
Hi Jenny, as you say, it was a large amount. Rather than giving a collection agency (with what sounds like dubious practices) 15% of a fairly large chunk of money, it would probably be less expensive to have a lawyer send a demand letter to the client stating that unless payment is received by X date, legal action will commence. I'm pretty sure a letter from a lawyer threatening to take them to court would serve as a greater impetus to pay, and prove that you're very serious about getting your... See more Hi Jenny, as you say, it was a large amount. Rather than giving a collection agency (with what sounds like dubious practices) 15% of a fairly large chunk of money, it would probably be less expensive to have a lawyer send a demand letter to the client stating that unless payment is received by X date, legal action will commence. I'm pretty sure a letter from a lawyer threatening to take them to court would serve as a greater impetus to pay, and prove that you're very serious about getting your money.
Paula ▲ Collapse
| | | | nordiste
Francia
Local time: 10:08
inglés al francés
+ ...
| Maybe it's better to use a debt collector in the country of the bad payer | Jan 25, 2007 |
I've never had to use one, but I think that I would choose a debt collector operating in the same country as the non payer. This way you ensure that there will be no misunderstanding or language problem on their side.
| | | | Jennifer Forbes
Local time: 09:08
francés al inglés
+ ...
PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA In Memoriam | Thank you both | Jan 26, 2007 |
Thank you, Paula and Nordiste, for your answers.
You're right. With hindsight, I can see that using that debt collector was not such a good idea, but I was getting a bit desperate and had been advised that using a lawyer in the UK for a debt in another country would be prohibitively expensive. If the debt had been in the UK I'd have gone to the Small Claims Court.
I was hoping to hear from members about actual experience of using a debt collector. However, as I've received only tw... See more Thank you, Paula and Nordiste, for your answers.
You're right. With hindsight, I can see that using that debt collector was not such a good idea, but I was getting a bit desperate and had been advised that using a lawyer in the UK for a debt in another country would be prohibitively expensive. If the debt had been in the UK I'd have gone to the Small Claims Court.
I was hoping to hear from members about actual experience of using a debt collector. However, as I've received only two replies, I guess no-one has used such a firm recently.
I hope never to be in that situation again - indeed, one of my main reasons for joining ProZ was to avoid dodgy agencies in future. But it's turned out to have many other enjoyable and useful features too.
Jenny. ▲ Collapse
| | | | To report site rules violations or get help, contact a site moderator: You can also contact site staff by submitting a support request » Using debt collectors | Protemos translation business management system | Create your account in minutes, and start working! 3-month trial for agencies, and free for freelancers!
The system lets you keep client/vendor database, with contacts and rates, manage projects and assign jobs to vendors, issue invoices, track payments, store and manage project files, generate business reports on turnover profit per client/manager etc.
More info » |
| | Trados Business Manager Lite | Create customer quotes and invoices from within Trados Studio
Trados Business Manager Lite helps to simplify and speed up some of the daily tasks, such as invoicing and reporting, associated with running your freelance translation business.
More info » |
|
| | | | X Sign in to your ProZ.com account... | | | | | |
Login to reply/comment 
Translation news
