This is a story about persistence!! After 3 years of trying, I finally managed to speak with a debtor today who owed one of our clients $650. It literally has been 3 years- 3rd February 2014 I was given this debt to collect, and being very new to business and wanting to make a name for myself, I promised this client that I would not give up until I got his money. The debtor dodged every single contact attempt I made- never answered his phone, ignored texts and emails, and being $650 it was not worth suing him. But week in, week out, I would try and call him. This morning I thought I would be a little creative and cheeky and sent him this sms: “Hi Michael, it is our 3 year anniversary of me chasing you for this money today, hard to believe isn’t it, anyway I don’t know about you but I would love to put a voice to a name, so why don’t we make today a line in the sand moment and discuss paying this $650…….please?” We both have iPhones and I nearly fell off my chair when I saw the little speech bubbles appear to indicate he was replying. “Yep sounds good, I can pay $400 today and $250 next Wednesday”. Sure enough, $400 was paid and the client is literally stunned! Now, I don’t for a second expect that anyone else would go to these sorts of lengths for $650, but persistence, determination, tenacity and a little creativity are 4 vital qualities needed to get paid and I hope this story gives you all a little boost the next time it feels like you are banging your head against a brick wall! Cheers
How persistence, determination and a little creativity got this debt paid!