Recession is producing more variation in excuses made by companies for failing to pay bills on time, according to analysts of the 20 most common explanations.
"We're filing for bankruptcy" is one of the most popular in the list of delaying tactics, says Cashflow Protector, the credit control specialist.
It advises callers to respond by asking for the name of the liquidators and checking whether the business has gone under.
To the reply, "that's my wife's bill and she no longer lives here", the caller is advised to ask for the new address. "We've moved address and lost the box with the cheque book in" should be countered by a request for a BACs (automatic banking clearance) payment."
The response to "the cheque book has been destroyed in the flood" should produce commiseration then a request for a BACs payment.
"What? Who do you want? I'm just the babysitter" will have to rely on finding
out when the parents are back.
"Not know, it's the office party" could stump callers. "You're probably on a loser here – just be sure the creditors aren't paying for the party", is the advice tendered by Cashflow.
"You're looking for payment of a July invoice? We're only just starting to pay last December's invoices" calls for a tougher response. "Not funny – threats of legal action will probably only work with this company."
"I was struck by lightning and I'm unable to work," stumped Cashflow. The
counter? "In the end we
had to insist on a doctor's letter."
The old chestnut "the cheque's in the post" is still on the list so "get date of posting (first or second class) and diary forward to call back if it doesn't appear – don't leave it."
Source: Telegraph.co.uk
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