In the context of a commercial activity, sales are sometimes made on credit. Customers then have a certain amount of time to pay their bills. But sometimes they don’t make it on time. In this case, you are fully entitled to claim these outstanding payments in order to ensure the proper functioning of your business. I suggest that you discover a recovery procedure to apply in this case.
It is not necessary to resort directly to drastic measures in the event of unpaid invoices. I recommend that you start with an amicable recovery, that is to say a procedure that does not involve justice.
The first step is to send an email to your customer to remind him that he still owes you money. To do this, you can choose “Reminder of unpaid invoice” as the subject. Mention the details of the invoice, in particular the purchases or services requested, as well as the amount to be paid. I also advise you to invite your debtor to contact you in the event of a financial problem on his side as a gesture of good faith.
Then move on to the phone call in case the customer has not responded to your email. This allows you to have a more constructive conversation and eventually reach a mutually beneficial agreement. For example, he can explain to you the reasons why the invoice remains unpaid. On your side, you can take the necessary steps to resolve the problem without the intervention of justice. For example, it is possible to offer a payment in installments or an extension of the repayment period.
Your client refuses to take your call or does not honor the commitments he made over the phone? Send him an official registered letter with acknowledgment of receipt to ensure that it has been delivered to him. Also indicate the amount of the sum he owes you and all the important details such as the due date or the terms of payment. I also recommend that you remind him of your interview by phone and your email.
The formal notice is your last option to recover your debts without involving justice. To do this, send your debtor an official letter mentioning obligatorily:
Note that you can even demand compensation for late payment.
You can start legal proceedings by hiring a bailiff or a lawyer if the debt is not settled after the deadline you have imposed. It should be noted that it is also possible to request the services of a collection agency to manage unpaid invoices. However, you have to think about the additional costs that this entails.
It is essential for you to claim unpaid invoices to ensure the smooth running of your company. However, it is not necessary to involve justice from the beginning. Start with amicable reminders to avoid a lot of inconvenience and unnecessary expense. I also advise you to avoid any external and unofficial contact (messages, telephone) throughout the procedure to avoid attempts at manipulation that could make you change your mind. That’s the whole point of hiring a collection agency. Your relationship with your debtor should remain professional and courteous only so that feelings do not interfere.