Resolving Disputes: Asking, Then Listening

Do you have difficult customers who complain often?

When a customer has a complaint, sometimes the best way to get the information you need is to ask a simple question: “What seems to be the problem?” You then must listen carefully and analytically to your customer’s response.

Here’s one example:

The customer says: “The salesperson messed up the order.”

You need to inquire:

• Which salesperson? Ask for the salesperson’s name and other pertinent information, such as what office the person works in, so you can track them down for comment.
• What does “messed up” mean, exactly? Get specifics of the conversations or representations, so you can figure out how to respond to and overcome the objections.
• What invoices are in question and what specific issues are being raised in relation to each of those invoices?

Learn other situations that this strategy works for on our website.

Collection Services in Michigan

Is your customer refusing to pay even after multiple requests?

You may need collection services.

At Muller, Muller, Richmond, & Harms, P.C., our attorneys specialize in debt collection services in Michigan. We can help you build a strategy customized to fit your business needs. We want to ensure you receive the best possible outcome in pursuing your case.

Fill out the information on our “Contact Us” page or give us a call at 248-645-2440 for collection services in Michigan. 

Take Control of Your Cash Flow

 Are your late-paying customers impacting your cash flow?

Here are some items to consider:

Be ready to respond to customer bad habits – Communicate with your customers. Let them know slowdowns in payment habits aren’t acceptable, and prompt them to make payments. After a second late payment, inform the customer that you may have to take steps to correct late payment habits, such as suspending their credit terms.

Be considerate, yet firm – No need to panic and ruin a relationship at this point. Your communication at this stage is still very polite, yet firm enough to display your dissatisfaction – such as notifying your customer that a privilege, such as favorable credit terms or 24/7 availability of goods or services, may be suspended until your confidence in their payment habits is restored.

Learn more general cash flow controls on our website!

Debt Collection Services in Michigan

Do slow paying customers impact the health of your business?

Get the money you’re owed with help from Muller Law Firm. Our collection attorneys will fight for your creditor’s rights! With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

Fill out the information on our “Contact Us” page or give us a call at 248-645-2440 for collection services in Michigan. 

How to Keep Your Cash Flow Steady

 Have you noticed a decline in prompt payments from customers?

A domino effect occurs when your customers fail to pay your company on time – resulting in your company’s inability to pay its creditors on time. To keep your cash flow positive and sufficient to cover your company’s bills, you must implement some general controls as a part of your credit policy.

Be aware of slowing payments – This is a big red flag! Watch for any signs of deterioration in paying habits. While one late payment may not break the bank, a late payment shows a disregard for your company’s payment terms – such that even one late payment does justify a polite nudge to the customer. The nudge can be a compliment such as, “thank you for the payment,” combined with a reminder of your payment terms, “please keep in mind the payment terms.”  

Learn more general cash flow controls on our website!

Debt Collection Services in Michigan

Get the money you’re owed with help from Muller Law Firm. Our collection attorneys will fight for your creditor’s rights! With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

Fill out the information on our “Contact Us” page or give us a call at 248-645-2440 for collection services in Michigan. 

How to Decide Which Customers Deserve Credit

Are you considering extending credit to a customer?

Do you want to prevent collection headaches?

You may want to examine these factors:

Past transactions: Their history with you is spotty or outright bad – maybe the owners have lied, paid late, or bounced a check. 

Days sales outstanding (DSO): DSO gives you quick insight into how a customer manages their cash flow and how long you’re likely to have to wait for payment. 

Bankruptcy: Extending credit to customers who have filed bankruptcy but are allowed to continue in business is very risky. Don’t forget, the customer wouldn’t be in bankruptcy if they didn’t have serious financial problems. 

Learn more factors that determine credit-worthiness on our website!

In Need of Collection Services in Michigan?

Has one of your high-risk customers become a debtor? We can help! With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

Fill out the information on our “Contact Us” page or give us a call at 248-645-2440 for collection services in Michigan. 

How Can You Spot a High-Risk Customer?

Regardless of how much profit you have built into your products or services, some customers pose too much risk and should not get credit. So, what does a high-risk customer look like? 

Here are the biggest warning signs:

Balance sheets: The customer’s balance sheets and operating statements show a declining net worth.

Operating statements: The operating statements reflect a downward trend in sales or profits, or both.

Credit reports: The credit report shows deterioration in their payment habits. For example, a customer that used to pay in 30 days now pays in 60 days.

Learn more high-risk customer warning signs on our website!

In Need of Collection Services in Michigan?

Has one of your high-risk customers become a debtor? We can help! With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

Fill out the information on our “Contact Us” page or give us a call at 248-645-2440 for collection services in Michigan. 

Using Public Records and Directories to Find Your Debtor

Public records may be available through government websites or through the old-fashioned means of going to a government office and either searching records yourself or asking a clerk to search them for you.

What You Can Find from Public Records

• UCC Filings: Reveal whether other creditors have filed claims against your collateral, granting them a security interest and notice to you that you may not touch.
• Business and Profession Licenses: Reveal whether the business or its principals are properly licensed in their field or profession and may also reveal disciplinary history.
• Judgements: Reveal outcome of litigation between parties involving your debtor and the amounts due under any judgements. If you find out that your debtor has several unsatisfied judgements, you may end up standing in line behind these judgement creditors when you try to collect.  This knowledge may lead you to determine that litigation is not the optimum strategy.

Read the full article on our website for more public records resources!

Debt Collection Services in Michigan Since 1961!

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to professionally and aggressively pursuing the money you’re owed in a straightforward, ethical manner. With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

If you want to use debt collection services in Michigan, your first step is easy. Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. Don’t let the money owed to you go away- get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.

How to Use Government Records to Find Debtors

Having trouble locating your debtor?

Government and public directories can aid in your skip tracing endeavor. Many federal, state, county, and local records are now available online, usually for free and without requiring a password. 

What Different Levels of Government Can Provide:

• Federal Government: You can access federal courts through US Courts.gov. You can obtain court records, including bankruptcy records, through Pacer. The American Bankruptcy Institute can provide bankruptcy case opinions for a fee. 
• State Government: The state may be able to provide 
• Records of corporations, limited liability companies, and other legal entities
• Driving records (often only available for specific purposes)
• Boat and vehicle registrations (sometimes not accessible by the public)
• Criminal record information (confirmation of whether a debtor is incarcerated, sometimes complete with a debtor’s photo)

See more government resources you can use to find debtors.

Debt Collection Services in Michigan Since 1961!

Since 1961, our top-rated lawyers have been dedicated to professionally and aggressively pursuing the money you’re owed in a straightforward, ethical manner. With offices in Birmingham and Grand Rapids, we handle claims against debtors located in Michigan, even if you are located out of state or out of the country.

If you want to use debt collection services in Michigan, your first step is easy. Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. Don’t let the money owed to you go away- get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.