1. You want to make sure that agency will be a good fit for your company.
2. Will they represent your company with dignity and professionalism?
3. Is there customer service up to par?
4. How is their reputation in the industry, and will you get paid?
The answer to number 1 and 2 above is a good commercial collection agency should protect your companies name by assuming you will want that customer back in the future. They should handle all accounts in a professional and ethical manner. This allows you to decide whether or not you want to do business with that customer in the future, not based on the collection agencies actions. You never know when a past customer may come back and or refer another customer to you.
Customer service is a big part of commercial collections today. Most collection agencies should offer monthly reports as well as access via a web portal so you are able to get an update anytime on your accounts. You also want to make sure they are calling or emailing you back to address any questions or concerns you may have. The better a relationship is between a client and a collection agency, the better the return.
And last but not least, will you get paid? It never hurts to check references as well as the Better Business Bureau reports on a commercial collection agency. It happens more often than the industry would like to admit, but there are collection agencies that dont pay their clients. You can avoid these pitfalls by talking with references the collection agency should give when asked for. This should also shed some light on if they are a professional and ethical commercial collection agency .
Whether you are looking for a commercial collection agency, consumer collection agency, or a medical collection agency always ask questions. The last thing you want to get stuck with is a collection agency that underperforms and costs you future business and or tarnishes your companies name.