Gimme My Money!

American Profit Recovery, a collection agency based in Michigan and Massachusetts, has developed a number of methods to help lawn care and landscaping professionals resolve past due debt with existing customers. As temperatures drop to freezing in many parts of the country, businesses begin to slow down, allowing time to think of how to get those late-paying customers to get current with their invoices.

“Although it is necessary, pursuing customers that pay late is something most business owners do not look forward to as it means sometimes confronting loyal customers,” says Matt Moskowitz, a partner at American Profit Recovery. “Many wait until the off-season, which can even further delay getting paid.”

As a recognized partner of the Professional Landcare Network (PLANET), an international association serving lawn care and landscape professionals, American Profit Recovery knows the green industry well.

It is harmful to any business if accounts remain unpaid in any economy at any time of the year. A few tips may help alter a company’s internal collection practices and resolve overdue accounts in a respectful and diplomatic manner no matter what time of year.

Act Early
When your invoice reaches customers before other invoices, it is more likely to be perceived as urgent and likely to get paid first. Lawn care companies that begin invoicing as early as 30-days past due on an account have a better chance of their invoices being placed on the top of the heap and settled in a more expedient manner.

Treat Customers Well
 It is easy for even your most diligent customers to occasionally struggle paying their bills, especially when times are tough. Treating customers with respect produces a more successful response when trying to recover overdue accounts.

Even with a few changes to internal procedures, there may be times when bills remain unpaid and it becomes time to seek help from an affordable and reputable collection agency. Assistance from a team that has knowledge of the lawn care industry can help a landscaping business recuperate overdue funds during slower times.

Above Board
Just as you operate your busienss, an agency you use should employ professionalism, ethics and standards. Find an agency that is committed to customer service and will work to maintain current customers and help build a solid reputation to attract future customers.

A Low-Cost Fee Structure
Look for a collection agency that uses a flat fee on accounts collected, rather than the industry average of 33 percent, which makes it more affordable for lawn care and landscape businesses to get help improving their bottom lines.

Customer-Driven Technology 
By providing access to accounts anytime day or night, the right technology leaves you in control of your business at times that meet your busy schedule.

A reputable collection agency will work with a lawn care business to educate staff and create tailored solutions to improve current accounts receivables and future profitability.

Through their professionalism, ethics and standards coupled with proven methods of success, a strong agency will strengthen your business and enable a business to pursue more lawn care accounts.

Check out a video on how to collect past-due debt in the lawn care industry at www.collectionagencyblog.com.