Are you having trouble dealing with your debtor’s personality?

Are your debtors unpleasant to deal with?

Are you having a hard time finding the best way to deal with problem customers?

Debtors come in all shapes, sizes, and personalities. If you’re lucky, your customer will be polite and apologetic. However, it’s more realistic to think that you’ll encounter unpleasant behaviors. You should know the best way to respond to the most common unpleasant personalities in order to get the best outcome out of your collection calls. Here are some common debtor personality traits:

Arrogance

Some debtors think they are a lot smarter than you. In this case, your debtor will offer all sorts of explanations for nonpayment, and may have even convinced themselves that they don’t owe you any money. To keep the call under your control, respond calmly and persistently, point by point, with the facts that refute your debtor’s allegations.

Selective Memory

This debtor claims that he doesn’t recall making his or her purchase, and doesn’t recall making a commitment to paying the bill. Your job is to remind your debtor that commitments were made on specific dates for specific amounts of money. By producing a document for every denial, you can successfully overcome your debtor’s selective memory. 

Screaming

Some debtors can become enraged to the point of screaming at you over the phone. You must remain calm and remember your ultimate goal: to collect payment. Some screamers calm down if you request permission to speak. If the screamer grants you permission, state the case for payment without any sign of emotion or attempt at intimidation. Describe their account balance and make a specific request for payment.

Crying

This type of debtor wants your sympathy and makes every effort to make you feel sorry for them by using illness, divorce, a death in the family, accidents, and other life altering events to pull at your heartstrings. Don’t fall for it!

Remain calm and composed, giving a response like, “I can certainly appreciate how you feel; however, we have business at hand and must resolve this outstanding balance.” You should demonstrate that you listened to what the crier was saying, but at the same time continue demanding payment.

The Secret to Success!

It’s very difficult to keep your temper under control when you’re dealing with certain personalities. This is especially true when you know you’re being lied to. However, being cool and staying calm will improve your chances of getting paid sooner rather than later. You must stay professional, regardless of the debtor’s attitude. 

In the showdown between you and your debtor, the debtor would like you to lose your cool, so they can justify not paying you. Your calm and collected demeanor will serve you well. In the end, many debtors will pay you what they owe. But there’s no guarantee!

Get Started Today: Our Debt Collections Strategy Development Process 

When you hire one of our debt collection attorneys to take your case, we’ll ease your stress by developing a strategy that works best for your unique case. An in-depth analysis and investigation of the facts will help us determine your options.

Our debt collections strategy development process involves:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Case evaluation
  • Arbitration
  • Mediation
  • Dispute resolution
• Counterclaim Defense
  • Affirmative defense strategies and discovery
  • Aggressive defense of counterclaim actions
• Including all the parties involved such as personal guarantors and all entities and persons who can be held liable on your claim

Debt Collections in Michigan: We Fight for Your Creditors’ Rights!

If you’re a business owner, you should be spending your time conducting business rather than chasing down debts. Contact our experienced collection firm to speak with an attorney about debt collections in Michigan today at (248) 645-2440 for an immediate resolution to your collection matters. Let the experts worry about your collections, so you have more time to focus on growing your business.

If you require collection services, your first step is easy. Fill out the information form on our “Contact Us” page, or give us a call at 248-645-2440, to ask questions and figure out your next steps. We offer a free consultation and strategy meeting, no fees unless you win! Don’t let the money owed to you go away – get started today! We look forward to hearing from you.