How do I get started? Do you report consumer accounts to the credit bureaus? What differentiates you from other agencies? Can you give me an example of how your collectors demonstrate their negotiating skill? What happens if legal action is necessary to collect an account? Do you have references I can speak with? What information must I provide when I place my account(s)? Do you have a license and bond? How do your recovery rates compare to the average agency? When will I get my money once it has been collected? What is your reporting like? How do I get started? Please click on the "How to Start" tab on the left-hand side of the screen. RETURN TO QUESTIONS Do you report consumer accounts to the credit bureaus? Yes. Reporting makes it likely the account will be cleared at the time the consumer requests a loan for some purpose. RETURN TO QUESTIONS What differentiates you from other agencies? Three things:1. Our team of skilled negotiators. What ultimately separates one agency from another is the job its collectors do convincing debtors on the other line to pay the balance. Our collectors are trained in negotiation and effectively utilize each telephone contact to secure payment in full.2. Intelligent, persistent effort. We will continue to work and collect accounts long after other agencies would consider them uncollectible. Our collectors will evaluate the details of your accounts and consider other means of payment that our competitors may not consider. Many accounts are paid, even when our collectors are unable to speak to the debtor!3. Ownership involvement. The four owners of our company are all involved in the business on a day to day basis. The vested interest we have in making sure every account gets collected distinguishes us from our competitors. RETURN TO QUESTIONS Can you give me an example of how your collectors demonstrate their negotiating skill? Sure. Let's compare a Collection Associates, Ltd. call to that of a typical collection agency.Typical Agency Call:"Hello Mr. Jones. I'm calling from ABC Collection Agency, and I'm wondering if you can make a payment on your account today? No...umm, how about a payment plan? OK, well can you call me next week? I see. I will try to call you the beginning of next month then."Collection Associates Call:"Hello Mr. Jones. My name is Adam Dobberstein and I am calling today about your account with Dr. Doctor. This balance goes back to January 21, 2005, and must be cleared today. We take major credit card and check by phone payments, and I am wondering which method you would prefer to clear the $1200?" Assuming Mr. Jones insists he cannot pay today: "I have listened to your objections Mr. Jones, but I must reiterate that my client has provided a service and deserves to be paid. I also must tell you that we have verified your employment at XYZ Company and we also know that you own the home on Stone Street. I also see that your Mastercard has $4000 of available credit. My client is not in the business of extending interest free loans, so let's take that card and clear this balance today." RETURN TO QUESTIONS What happens if legal action is necessary to collect an account? Our agreements with our clients include a contingent fee rate when legal action is required. We have an attorney we work with who handles all of our litigation, and the process is seamless for our clients. RETURN TO QUESTIONS Do you have references I can speak with? Yes. A list of industry specific references will be provided upon request. RETURN TO QUESTIONS What information must I provide when I place my account(s)? Click on the link "How to Start". RETURN TO QUESTIONS Do you have a license and bond? Yes. This information will also be provided upon request. RETURN TO QUESTIONS How do your recovery rates compare to the average agency? We say with confidence that our rates of recovery are significantly higher than the national average as reported by the American Collector's Association. RETURN TO QUESTIONS When will I get my money once it has been collected? We remit within 10 days of the close of the month in which a collection is made. RETURN TO QUESTIONS What is your reporting like? Our reports are complete and easy to read.On the first of each month, you will receive three reports:1. Remittance statement (summary of all payments made that month)2. Account summary (a snapshot of all the work we have done for you to date)3. Listing of returns (a list of all accounts returned to you this month)*If you require custom reports, we will make every effort to accommodate your needs. RETURN TO QUESTIONS
