Collection Tricks

[Jason Pallas]

Big Collection Tip: With the advent of caller ID, we often find it necessary to block (*67) our collection calls. If they don't know it's you looking for your money, they're lots more apt to answer (as it appears "blocked call, private call or out of area call).
However, there's a new device out that makes collections even trickier. The phone companies have set up a thing called "privacy manager". It pre-screens calls and doesn't allow blocked or private calls through. A prompt will come on that says "The customer you're calling has PM and your number is not identified. At the tone, please state your name......."
It then relays the info to the customer (if they're home) and they can choose to pick up or not (they owe you money - of course they're not going to pick-up!). This can be very frustrating - if you don't block the call, they know it's you and don't pick-up and if you have to state who you are, they know it's you and won't pick-up.
The solution: This is very effective. We've got more than a few problem/deadbeat customers like this too. When the prompt asks for your name, we say "the Michigan Lottery Commision" or "MGM Casino". Their greed gets the best of them (thinking they've won something!) and BOOM you've got them on the line. OF course you'll have to adjust/substitute your own lottery commision or other org. but you get the idea.
Just trying to help you all get the money we've all worked so hard for. Good luck collecting.

Any of your tricks are always appreciated too. Post away.

[stslawncare]

thats very interesting, is it available all over? i havent heard of it yet. how about cost?

[1MajorTom]

We don't have that option here.
I always keep our phone blocked, but if I call a person that will not accept blocked calls, I get a recording that says:

"The person you wish to speak with does not accept blocked calls. Please unblock your line and try your call again."

[KDJ]

Its here in Florida. Glad I have a good list of accounts they all pay OK. Last year I got stiffed 180.00 ( not bad )

[Jason Pallas]

Major Tom - that kinda sucks - I can't think of a way around that one right now - If I do, I'll let you know.

STS - I don't think the cost is very much - probably about as much as voice mail / $6-8 a month. But, for those deadbeats to hide from bill collectors, I bet it's worth it to them.

[CS Lawns]

When they dont answer from my business line I call from my cell phone, geuss what they always answer. try it it works for me

[Jason Pallas]

Some of our cells come up with our name - some of them don't. However the ones' that don't, still ask you to identify yourself with the PM. THere's no way around it.

[65hoss]

Borrow someone else's phone to make the call. I've been known to call from my g'friends house.

[southside]

You could always try using a pay phone. Preferably just around the corner from their house. :)

[Rooster]

The Privacy Manager option cost about $4.00 per month.

[awm]

sounds ike some have more trouble w this .think if a couple call didnt get response ,id just go to their house . if they deadbeating u all they can do is ask u to leave.which i do ,but they know then that i will come to their house.thats motive enough for some to pay. no harsh wds ,no need to get shot. later now

[Bob Minney]

Great idea to get through to talk with the something for nothing people. I'm with awm on the personal visit's, it's a lot harder to lie to me in person. Dinner time or Saturday AM are good times to visit.

[bubble boy]

boy, you gotta love people. we do the work at an agreed price and we are here needing to discuss this.

you know the where do you want to go thread? i want to go to a world where i get paid, promply, for the work i do. i dont need a tip, i dont need thank you, the cheque a week after i mail the invoice is thanks enough.

a man can dream

[1grnlwn]

Yes *67 has been a good tool. Thanks for the tip on the call mgr.
It's amazing to me the number of people who don't answer there phone. Ole ATT has given us some of the rudest options of the decade and lightened our pockets significantly. People don't even take the time to put a message on there answering machines, just the canned voice. Call waiting , how rude , excuse me but I have a call on the other line and I am hoping it is more important than your call. Sorry venting. :cry:

[RB]

I'm going with contracts this year. My season starts Apr 1 and end on Nov 30. My invoices go out mid March (for Apr) and they need to pay by the 1st of April (before service begins). If payments are not in my mailbox by the 1st and they have scheduled service for that day it gets delayed. A $25.00 Service Fee gets attached after the 5th of each month.

I think I got it all figured out. lol

Please let me know my design flaws.

Thanx.
Ron

[Double D]

The privacy manager is .01 for me. That's right one thin penny. I have had one solictation call since I got the service. You don't even hear the phone ring. It is a great service as long as you are not trying to collect money from some deadbeats.

[LAWNS AND MOWER]

I have privacy directory (manager) and it's great. No more telemarketers calling. One tip though. I noticed that I get through to my home phone via my cell phone if I'm in my home calling area. Once I get out of my home area, I have to go through the pricacy directory. Learned this the hard way when I was on vacation and couldn't access my messages on my home phone. One simple procedure and you can turn on and off privacy directory.

LAWNS AND MOWER