Even If You Think You Have Found a Jewel...

… and the collection agency has all the right credentials (including, of course, a Consumer Credit Licence!) you still need to make sure that the agency and its collection methods are right for your company - and that its personnel are right for you. You are going to be liaising with those people regularly, and that isn’t going to work well if you rub each other up the wrong way from the get-go.

Before you make a final decision, arrange to visit the agency's premises and meet everyone – more than once if possible. During your visits ask about working methods and principles – and watch and listen carefully to what’s going on around you. Make a point of asking which Solicitors the agency uses for litigation purposes – and check later to find out whether those Solicitors specialise in debt collection and have a good reputation in the field.

At that point, of course, you might want to approach those Solicitors direct, and go through the same process with them - visit, and find out about the people and what the firm has to offer. After that, of course, you'll be in a good position to compare people, services and prices, and make an informed decision as to who and what will serve you best.