A better alternative to outsourcing collections overseas.(EXTRA CREDIT)(National Association of Credit Management)

Collecting on customer accounts is a function many businesses find to be more cost-effective if outsourced to a third party. However, unlike many outsourced business functions, there is a viable alternative to overseas outsourcing for businesses when it comes to collections: Affiliates of the National Association of Credit Management (NACM) provide these services throughout the country. NACM Affiliates have years of experience in collections and their rates for members help to make it a viable and economic alternative to in-house collections. Turning over business accounts for collection to NACM Affiliates will help your company avoid some of the problems with overseas thirdparty collectors. Furthermore, NACM Affiliates have been involved in collections for many years and have evolved getting payment from customers into an art.

NACM members get discounted rates for collections services--as much as 50 percent off the non-member rates; and discounted rates for collection services are just one of many benefits of NACM membership. Most NACM Affiliate collection services offer a free 10-day demand letter service; meaning that if a customer pays an account within 10 days of a letter requesting payment being sent, there is no charge to the client. Most NACM Affiliates either don't charge, or charge a nominal fee for accounts on which no collections have been received.

The biggest advantage offered by NACM Affiliate collection services is their skill at collections, gained from years of hands-on experience. NACM collectors know how to conduct collections in a manner that reflects favorably and professionally on their clients. NACM collectors understand that while settling the account is important, keeping the relationship with the debtor intact is key. NACM's primary goal is always to protect its members' businesses.

NACM member Bill Bayne, Credit Manager for Granite Building Products, Inc. said, "If you need legal advice, your NACM Affiliate has an excellent network available to put you in touch with an attorney ... occasionally I've also needed an attorney in another state, and they've helped me locate one." Debbie Belarde, Credit Extension Manager for Banner Furnace & Fuel, said that she refers her company's delinquent accounts to her NACM Affiliate. "We don't give an account to them until we've exhausted attempts at trying to get payment. They were successful, where we were not." Louann Hipps, Credit Manager for A-L Compressed Gases, Inc., said, "I ask my Affiliate to send a 10-day demand letter which almost always works. If ...