Blog Layout

Debt Collection Agencies vs. Legal Action: Understanding the Pros & Cons of Using a Debt Collector

Recoup • Jun 19, 2023

Debt Collection Agencies vs. Legal Action: Understanding the Pros & Cons of Using a Debt Collector

Debt collection agencies and solicitors are both options for businesses looking to recover unpaid debts from customers. However, there are some significant differences between the two.


Debt collection agencies are specialized companies that focus solely on debt collection. They use various methods to collect debts, such as sending letters, making phone calls, and even taking legal action. Debt collection agencies typically charge a fee based on a percentage of the amount collected, and they may work on a contingency basis, meaning they only get paid if they successfully recover the debt.


On the other hand, solicitors are legal professionals who can represent businesses in legal proceedings related to debt collection. They can provide legal advice, draft legal documents, and take legal action on behalf of their clients. Solicitors typically charge an hourly rate or fixed fee for their services, regardless of the outcome of the case.

 

Hiring a Debt Collection Agency 

These agencies have experience in dealing with difficult and delinquent debtors and have access to specialized resources and tools that can help them recover debts more effectively.


It's important to note that working with a reputable debt collection agency can also help businesses maintain positive relationships with their customers. A good agency will prioritize professionalism and respect when communicating with debtors and will work to resolve the debt in a way that is fair and reasonable for all parties involved.


Debt collection agencies can also offer flexibility in their services, allowing businesses to choose the level of assistance they need. For example, some agencies may offer a self-service platform where businesses can manage their debt collection efforts independently, while others may provide full-service solutions that handle the entire debt collection process from start to finish.


Overall, debt collection agencies can be a valuable resource for businesses struggling to recover outstanding debts. By leveraging the expertise and resources of an agency, businesses can increase the likelihood of successfully recovering bad debt while maintaining positive relationships with their customers.


Some features that may be offered by a dedicated recovery specialist include:

  • Free Business to Business Debt Collection
  • No Collection, No Commission model
  • High Success Rates
  • 24×7 Customer Contact
  • Free Appraisal of your Debt


Hiring a Solicitor

Engaging a solicitor can be a sensible decision, as they can advise you whether it makes sense to pursue the matter with legal representation depending on the case parameters. However, there are certain situations where engaging a solicitor may be the most appropriate option. For example, if the debt in question is large and complex, or if the debtor is challenging the debt and disputing the amount owed, a solicitor may be better equipped to handle the case.  However, it's important for businesses to consider the costs associated with engaging a solicitor for debt recovery. Solicitor’s typically charge hourly rates, which can quickly add up, and there may also be additional costs such as court fees and expenses. For this reason, many businesses may prefer to work with a debt collection agency that offers a 'No Collection, No Fee' basis, which will help mitigate the costs of debt recovery. In summary, engaging a solicitor can be a sensible decision in certain circumstances, particularly if the debt is large and complex or if the debtor is disputing the debt.


Many expert Debt Collection Agencies like Recoup have close relationships with experienced debt collection Solicitors to cover any debt recovery situation. With Recoup your business can benefit from our award-winning debt collection services as well as:

  • Providing comprehensive legal recommendations
  • Facilitate letter of demand
  • File court documents on your behalf
  • Legal representation for any court proceedings


Debt Collector vs Solicitor: Choosing the right Professional

Deciding on whether you should engage a debt collection solicitor or hire a debt collection agency really depends on each case. You will also find that certain debt collection agencies work closely with solicitors. The decision on what action should be taken is generally driven by the amount of debt and if the debt is disputed.

We recommend that you approach both professionals to get some obligation free advice.

by Recoup 21 Aug, 2023
Don’t Risk Overdue Invoices Stacking Up
by Recoup 24 Jul, 2023
What is a Final Demand Letter and When Should I Use It?
by Recoup 04 Jul, 2023
Understanding Bad Debts: How to Identify, Prevent and Manage Them
by Recoup 27 Jun, 2023
What is outsourced bookkeeping?
by Recoup 21 Jun, 2023
What is a County Court Claim
by Ryan Jones 08 Jun, 2023
The Need for International Debt Collection
by Recoup 06 Jun, 2023
When Should You Follow Up on Unpaid Invoices?
by Ryan Jones 19 May, 2023
Understanding the Struggles of Small Businesses with Delayed Payments & Debts
by Ryan Jones 19 May, 2023
How your business can combat Late Payments
by Ryan Jones 03 May, 2023
What is Credit Control and How Can Outsourcing Help? Credit control is an important part of a business’s financial management strategy. It is designed to reduce credit risk and ensure that debtors are paying their debts on time. Credit control systems help businesses to identify customers who are at higher risk of defaulting on their payments, and also help them to collect outstanding debts. With the right credit control system in place, businesses can manage their credit risks more effectively and minimize losses due to bad debt. Outsourcing credit control can be a great way to free up your employees and resources to focus on other aspects of your business. By outsourcing this task, you can save time and money that would otherwise be spent on hiring additional staff or investing in costly training programmes. Furthermore, you can also benefit from the expertise of experienced professionals who have an in-depth knowledge of credit control processes and regulations. This will help you ensure that all accounts receivable are managed efficiently, while also reducing the risk of bad debts. Benefits of Outsourcing Your Credit Control Functions Outsourcing credit control offers businesses a range of benefits to improve cashflow, reduce costs and free up key resources. It can help to ensure that invoices are paid on time and the process is managed in an efficient and effective manner. With outsourced credit control, businesses can gain access to expertise and experience in the field of debt collection. This means that they can benefit from improved processes, as well as aged debt recovery and can help make better decisions about when and how to extend credit, as well as strategies for collecting payments quickly and efficiently. For your employees, outsourcing can help to reduce stress levels for staff by taking away the burden of chasing payments or handling difficult debtors. How to Choose an Outsourcing Partner for Credit Control Services Outsourcing Credit Control can be a great way to increase efficiency and reduce costs, but it can also be seen as a risk to your business relationships. Many businesses fear that outsourcing their credit control team will lead to strained relationships with their customers and suppliers. However, taking on a company with a strong reputation for exceptional service and interaction with debtors will mitigate this risk and ensure that their involvement does not jeopardise your business relationships. When choosing an outsourcing partner for credit control services, it is important to consider their experience in the industry, their customer service record, and the quality of their services. It will always be valuable to look for a partner who is willing to provide tailored solutions that meet your specific needs. Be sure to take into consideration the cost of their services so that you can make an informed decision, there is a wide range of options and companies out there offering these services. Best Practices for Implementing an Effective Credit Control System Getting paid on time is a challenge that many businesses face. It involves constantly chasing payment with reminder emails or calling your customers for an update on when your invoice will be paid. This process can be time-consuming and tedious, but it is necessary to ensure your business's financial health. To ensure that debts are paid in a timely manner, it is important to have effective credit control processes in place here are a few examples that are worth implementing even if outsourcing is not on the immediate horizon. Before entering into any contract, it is important to conduct thorough research on your new customer or client. This will help you make sure that your customer or client is reliable and trustworthy, and that you can be confident in the agreement you are about to enter into. Researching a potential new customer or client can involve checking references, verifying information provided by the customer or client, and conducting credit checks. If your business is often spending time chasing late payments from customers, it might be worth reconsidering your invoicing processes. By making your invoices as clear and concise as possible, you can avoid any confusion or misunderstandings about payment terms. This will help ensure that customers know exactly what they need to do in order to pay you on time. Additionally, having a consistent invoicing system will help streamline your processes and save you time chasing up late payments in the future. Make the Right Choice & Outsource Your Business's Credit Control Functions Today! Healthy cashflow is crucial to the success of any business, it’s amazing how many businesses neglect their credit control function and often employ inexperienced workers or overworked accountants. Outsourcing these functions to a trustworthy and experience party can have huge benefits for companies struggling to keep onto of credit control functions. Outsourcing credit control can help improve your business cashflow, reduce bad debt, improve client relationships and provide reliable solutions without the need for costly in-house solutions. Recoup is a leading debt collection and credit control company that has been in business for decades. With our extensive experience, they have developed bespoke solutions tailored to the specific needs of a wide variety of businesses. Their solutions are designed to help businesses manage their debt collection and credit control processes more efficiently and effectively, while also providing them with the necessary tools to ensure compliance with the relevant laws and regulations. By leveraging Recoup's expertise, businesses can ensure that they remain compliant while also minimizing their financial losses.
by Ryan Jones 21 Mar, 2023
How to draft an effective Final Demand Letter
by Ryan Jones 06 Mar, 2023
If a creditor waits too long to take court action, the debt will become ‘unenforceable’ or statute barred. This means the debt still exists but the law (statute) can be used to prevent (bar) the creditor from getting a court judgment or order to recover it.
by Ryan Jones 21 Feb, 2023
A County Court Judgment (CCJ) is a type of court order in England, Wales and Northern Ireland that might be registered against you if you fail to repay money you owe. F
12 Jul, 2022
Is There a Right Time to Start a Small Business?
More posts
Share by: