Page:Roy Ralph Hottman - Practical Collection Procedure (1923).pdf/65

Rh corporations, and larger stores with offices, the period from the fifth to the tenth of the month is an excellent one in which to present bills. Most firms pay their bills, or those they intend paying, before or on the 10th of each month. In retail collections the most satisfactory time for both the creditor and debtor is on pay day or the day following. Ascertain if possible the date the debtor re- ceives his salary and present your bill then. The debtor is in a good humor on pay day; he is more apt to pay the bill when he will still have some money left than he would be if he were approached when payment would leave him stranded until the next pay-day. Obviously, too, a call every day would not secure a payment if the debtor has nothing ;—he must be called upon when he has money. Factories and stores generally pay weekly, either Saturday or Monday; railroads pay semi-monthly, the first and the fifteenth ; and office men are usually paid either monthly or every two weeks. This is only roughly speaking, of course, a8 numerous concerns pay their help at altogether different times.

The place at which to call upon the debtor also deserves mention. The proper place to approach him is privately, ——that is not in public, or at a time when he is with friends. Anybody is very much incensed at having a bill presented in the presence of others. However, it is one of the quick- est ways to get the money from tricky or irresponsible debtors. If the debtor tries to avoid payment, a call at his place of employment, if it is possible to reach him there, will embarrass him considerably and be a powerful inducement to make him pay. Likewise a call in the evening is conducive to prompt payment if one can find a