Just used Olddebts.com

[Grits]

I had to use olddebts.com today. Did some landscaping for what was a good customer last year. I let her make payments on it. Payments were few and far between and eventually non-existent. I hated to do it, but she forced me to. I just ordered the letter package. If that doesn't work then I will have it reported to the credit bureaus. I will post how it works out using olddebts.com.

[Surferbum21]

do you ahve to have a signed contract from customer to do this? i had one customer i had for years no problems and then all of a sudden no payment and no answers. stll lives there but can't get to pay.

[Richard Martin]

do you ahve to have a signed contract from customer to do this?

No. But just remember that if you do harm to the customer's credit record and they sue you the burden of proof is on you to prove that they owed the money. I've used olddebts before and it is a very effective tool for getting your money.

[puppypaws]

No. But just remember that if you do harm to the customer's credit record and they sue you the burden of proof is on you to prove that they owed the money. I've used olddebts before and it is a very effective tool for getting your money.

Richard, what is the procedure used for "olddebts", and where does the benefit of use occur?

[Richard Martin]

Richard, what is the procedure used for "olddebts", and where does the benefit of use occur?

Pretty much anybody can use them. They will do almost anything that you want them to from sending simple "collection" letters to calling the deadbeat up and bothering them. They will put the debt on the deadbeats credit record too if you like and inform them that you've done it.

You simply register with olddebts and the services are done "ala carte". You pay a small fee (add it to the bill) for each service that you decide to use.

The benefit of use depends on the deadbeat. Some deadbeats don't care about their credit and couldn't care less whether you report them or not. Other people are very concious of their credit record and getting a letter from a collection agency based in California really gets their attention.

Olddebts is a branch of a real collection agency but where they differ from a real collection agency is olddebts isn't interested in buying your bad debt and then keeping the money that they collect. It is designed for the very small business or the business that only occassionally gets a deadbeat and doesn't have a use for a full tilt collection agency.

[nlminc]

I used them once on a $600.00 debt and the customer still did not pay.

[capelawncare.com]

I used them 3 times If I remember correctly. I believe we got paid 2 out of 3 times.

[DanaMac]

I used them once on a $600.00 debt and the customer still did not pay.

Same here. Nothing from it.

[Grits]

Same here. Nothing from it.

I hope you had it reported to the credit bureaus. If the first round of letters does not get them to pay, then report it. Any other business does this. Why not a lawn service company?

[SimonCX]

I used it twice and nothing, I had them reported to the credit burea and that didnt do anything because the guy bought a new car and house after and this is not soneone who has cash, so peronally I think olddebts is BS. Write it off as loss's and never think about it again.

[bobcatnj]

i send a letter to the customer stated i will put a claim into the small claims court if payment is not received by this date. seems to work so far

[Ramairfreak98ss]

I used it twice and nothing, I had them reported to the credit burea and that didnt do anything because the guy bought a new car and house after and this is not soneone who has cash, so peronally I think olddebts is BS. Write it off as loss's and never think about it again.

simon, we have a ton from the past few years alone. So they do sometimes work or its not worth the money? At this point, we have money out there that was not paid on at all, went through small claims court with court orders PLUS interest and still nada. If they cant collect i wont pay out anything else. On some of these accounts, if they can collect 50% for themselves and i only get 50% of the remainder due, id be thrilled.

[Ramairfreak98ss]

i send a letter to the customer stated i will put a claim into the small claims court if payment is not received by this date. seems to work so far

really 95% dont care, wont pay, dont show up for court, lose by default or judgements, have court orders against them now and it doesnt affect them at all.

[Grits]

You can only do what you can do. You gotta try though. Just can't lay down and take it.