Collection agencies

How many deadbeats do you typically have in a year?

Kinda curious to hear this stat from anyone here who runs their own shop or manages a department.

@bstrand  In 25 years of a solo enterprise, about four deadbeats total. Dollar amount not too much. I try not to let it irk me.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/izrael-shmukler-27391a139_b2b-debtcollection-cashflow-activity-7374094829351247872-6jLh?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop&rcm=ACoAAABg_7EBPXaZ9_uy_PNtiRSPOvuKPIW1vn8

This debt collector has been popping up in my LinkedIn feed for the past few weeks. Not sure if they are what you are looking for...

One or two deadbeat per year, solo operator. I decided that if im going to be stiffed anyway, why not pay for a collection agency to put their debt on record?

@peter-lothian 

Is there a number, email or website? Ill give them a call

There have been too many over the decades of trying to be a nice guy.  Collected all but two or three in full.  Oh, the stories I could tell, but, won't.

One was a buddy of mine who got into a divorce situation and was trying to get her to pay for the survey.

One was the CEO of a manufacturing plant.  Je tried boo hoo-ing to the judge, who knew what his job title was.

Two times I proved to 80 year-old widow ladies (rich, too) not to mess with a hungry guy with kids.

One involved an out-of-state LLC.  No luck there.

One was a couple who both were disabled and on welfare.  No luck there.  Made it back a few years later on another survey for a neighboring tract.

1.  Pay on delivery. No check, no survey. Bad checks go to the local prosecutor for recovery.

2. Work by contract. Learn your states process for filing a lien on real property.

@wward Direct Message through the LinkedIn profile, if you have an account. Also, the company website is below.

Contact Info

Posted by: @pls8xx

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1.  Pay on delivery. No check, no survey. Bad checks go to the local prosecutor for recovery.

2. Work by contract. Learn your states process for filing a lien on real property.

3. Get a retainer at least sufficient to cover expenses before starting work.  

I get a 50% retainer and make sure the check clears before starting.  That seems to cut way down on the deadbeats.

Only got fully stiffed twice, both were contractors.  Both were staking projects.  With one, I made the mistake of starting without a written contract and without being adequately familiar with the lien laws.  With the other, I discovered that he was a serial bankruptor and that he had just gone a bit over 7 years since coming out of his previous bankruptcy.

one other seemed to be heading that way.  Young family stretching their budget.  Got him on the phone after he was almost 90 days late.  I bluffed saying that I really didn't want to lien his property or send him to collections and ended up putting him on a payment plan.  He paid it off over the next few months.

Same here. 50% retainer plus they sign the estimate spelling out what they are paying for such as a boundary survey sufficient to accurately calculate the property lines, a topo survey and a stamped topo map. County and City fees are extra. A Corner Record or PM or ROS recorded with corners set is a whole 'nother job estimate. Staking is T&M. Form certification and height certification are T&M.