Reminders and Collection Letters

When an account becomes overdue, it is first assumed that it has been overlooked by the customer. Therefore the account is brought to the customer's attention by means of a copy of the invoice or statement, a printed notice, a letter, etc. These are called reminders. When sending invoice copies or statements as reminders, many firms add a rubber-stamped notation (Past due — please remit), a printed card, or a gummed label (collection sticker). The letters employed as reminders are usually form letters. Sometimes a reminder is included in an offer or sales letter sent to a customer (hidden reminder).

If the reminder does not produce any results, it is followed by two or more collection letters. In these letters various arguments and appeals are used to obtain payment or at least an explanation from the customer.

Specimen Letters

I. Collection Letter

Dear Sirs,

We wrote you on 5th March asking for payment of the overdue balance of £ 161.38, but so far we have not received any reply from you.

If there is an error or any other reason why payment has not been made, please let us know, and we shall look into the matter at once.

Otherwise we must ask you to send us your cheque without further delay.

Yours faithfully,

Дата добавления: 2015-07-20