Debt Ignored
By the client’s own admission, prioritising the debt on a regular basis had taken a back seat because they were struggling to keep up with demand. Upon instruction, the client warned Advocate that the school had difficulties in receiving invoices and failed to see the urgency of bringing the account up to date. Upon making the first contact, Advocate swiftly addressed those shortcomings. The school’s Office Manager claimed not to be aware of the contract in place, stating that two invoices were paid last year when our client was allegedly last in touch, and that the instruments were ready to be returned. She also claimed to have no recollection of refusing to sign for a package of copy invoices adorned in our client’s distinctive livery six months ago. For good measure, copy invoices were sent by Advocate to the same postal and email addresses, except this time the Office Manager confirmed receipt!
Debt Admitted
In response to the manager claiming to be oblivious to our client’s position, we provided a copy of the contract and email trails going back two years, including the most recent communication just 48 hours before Advocate’s instruction. A collection date for the instruments was also proposed. Our client confirmed they received two cheques for small amounts but informed the school they could not be cashed as they were made out to a different legal entity. Having proven the truth of our client’s position, the school could no longer plead ignorance. Realising cooperation was in their best interests, the school swiftly made payment of the £10.4K plus £1K in statutory late payment charges.
Debt Collected
As debt collectors, there is an art to creating urgency whilst being cordial. In this case, both were achieved with the manager letting on that an impending change in senior leadership was set to see suppliers treated more as education partners and less as adversaries. Our client has since returned to the school as an education partner and reports that invoices are being paid on time.