Dedicated Debt Collection for the Veterinary Industry

  01527 543672   |    info@dsluk.net

Door Knocking Done- What Happens Next?

Analyses of recent door knocks can not only be interesting but also beneficial in terms of helping you to understand the right way get the money back that you are owed. We have compiled a report that examines the data from a random selection of 33 visits carried out for one veterinary practice in May this year.

We found that cases selected for personal visit generally fall into one of the following categories:

• No Contact following Letters, Telephone Calls, Text Messages and Emails.
• Refused to Pay
• Won’t Pay
• Can’t Pay
• Moved Away
• Passed Away
• Unresolved Dispute
• Insurance Underpayment – Excess Not Paid
• Insurance paid to claimant rather than the service provider.

Prior to personal visits taking place, customers have ignored attempts to contact them in the hope the debt will go away. However, when there’s a knock on the door and one of our collection officers introduces themselves and explains why they are there, reality starts to dawn, and customers realise the issue is not going away.

Summary of Results

Paid in Full   1 = £600.00 cash and card payment on the door step.

3 x payment arrangements via automated debit card / Paypoint / DSL App or Website. (Payment agreement form signed by each defaulter)

9 x no contact at time of visit, occupancy confirmed by neighbour or other occupant of the property, a hand delivered letter was left at each property. ( 4 x defaulters have since contacted the office and agreed payment terms) 5 x defaulters have been evaluated for legal action and hand delivered letters left at each address. We can now make an informed decision in conjunction with our client regarding legal action based on documented facts gathered during the visit and throughout the collection process. In this case 2 defaulters have been selected for legal action and 3 for write off as uncollectable. The practice has since removed these customers from the list of acceptable customers.

11 x confirmed Gone Away, local enquires carried out with neighbours and 2 new addresses obtained. 9 x cases will be sent to the trace department if the amount owing is in excess of an agreed amount. Positive trace cases will be placed back in the collection process and recovery action will restart at the new address, trace cost will be added to the amount due if T&C’s allow.

8 x defaulters are recorded as occupancy unconfirmed, our officer was unable to verify the defaulters continue to reside at the addresses visited, (no contact at the address or with neighbours) a hand delivered letter was left at each address in a sealed envelope. Since the visits took place 3 x defaulters have contacted our office and confirmed they continue to live at the address or have moved and supplied new address details, payment arrangements have been agreed via automated debit card / Paypoint / DSL App or Website.

1 x Hardship case was identified, our client agreed to a low long-term payment plan to allow the defaulter to reorganise his life following an horrific motor cycle accident.  Personal visits allow defaulters a final opportunity to resolve the matter before legal action begins and it also allows claimants  to make an informed decision on the viability of legal action,, after all, what’s the point in throwing good money after bad?

The DSL visit service is offered on a fixed cost basis, so why not give Mike a call on 01527 543672 to discuss your options.  

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