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Resource Center – We’re here to help!

At CCB, we want to make sure you have all the resources you need to understand the collections process.

Here is some helpful information to read as you consider working with us. Questions? Feel free to contact us at 651-340-0730 to talk to a collections expert!

FAQ

Why should I place my firm’s past due accounts with Commercial Collection Bureau?

First and foremost, to get paid! With over 30 years of experience in collections, we’ve seen and heard nearly everything. We’ll quickly figure out the problem and come up with a solution to get the account resolved. Additionally, there are many things that set us apart from other agencies. We’re fully licensed and bonded. Our collectors have financial backgrounds. We make sure you get paid first…and sometimes, we can collect your receivable at little cost to you! Learn more about CCB here.

Is there an upfront fee to place an account with Commercial Collection Bureau?

Absolutely not. We work on a contingent fee basis—that is, we don’t get paid unless we get you paid.

What is your success rate for collecting outstanding balances?

We have a success rate of 88% for accounts that are in-business at the time of the placement — one of the highest in the industry.

What kind of accounts does CCB collect?

As you may have guessed from our name, Commercial Collection Bureau, we collect past due commercial (business-to-business) accounts for and from a wide range of industries. If a business sold goods or services to another business and hasn’t been paid, we’re happy to collect that receivable.

How long do you work a claim?

As long as it takes! We don’t limit the amount of time our collectors work on a claim. We’ll continue our collection process until the balance is paid or we are convinced the account is uncollectible.

How often do you make contact with the debtor?

We contact debtors as often as prudent and as often as necessary to move the account towards resolution (within applicable state and federal laws). We limit the number of claims each collector works to ensure your accounts are worked thoroughly. Generally, our collectors work each account 2-3 times per week.

What is the largest claim you’ve ever collected?

We’ve recovered many accounts in excess of $100,000.00 and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients. The largest claim we’ve negotiated a successful recovery on is in excess of $695,000.00.

Is it important for a collection agency to be located near my customers?

No. We collect money from all over the world from our office in St. Paul, Minnesota. The majority of our work takes place over the phone, email and mail so being local to your customers is not a factor. Nonetheless, if the claim size warrants it, we can have a private investigator visit your customer’s location to increase urgency and obtain further information.

Does CCB charge more for international claims?

No! Our contingency fee is based solely on the age of the debt when it’s placed for collection.

Why aren’t our customers paying their outstanding balances?

In most cases, we believe that your customers want to pay their outstanding balances but don’t have the cash flow to do it. That’s why we take a consultative approach to collection. Our collections experts are able to identify the primary reasons why a balance has not been paid and offer solutions. Through strategic partnerships with third-party vendors, we’re able to provide need-based solutions that prioritize you while also providing your defaulting customers with the help they need.

Once we’ve placed our claims with CCB, can the contingency rate increase?

Generally, no. Once you’ve placed your claim with CCB, the rate is frozen – meaning that no matter how long it takes CCB to recover your payment, your rate will not increase. In the rare circumstance you authorize the involvement of a creditors’ rights attorney to attempt to recover the balance, CCB will make you aware of any contingency fee changes. If there’s a dispute on the account that was not disclosed at the time of placement, the disputed claim fee will be charged.

Should I just have an attorney secure a judgment to collect the past due balance?

Not in most cases. The vast majority of past-due accounts can be recovered without the time and expense of litigation. Why pay out-of-pocket court costs and attorney’s fees for an account that could be recovered with no out-of-pocket expense to your firm? Moreover, a judgment doesn’t guarantee you’ll get paid—unfortunately, getting a judgment is a relatively easy thing to do—collecting on that judgment is the “trick.” At CCB, we’ll do our best to ensure your account is paid voluntarily in a timely fashion. If for some odd reason we’re unable to collect the balance voluntarily, based on our due diligence (searches on assets, liens, judgments, and lawsuits) and our collection efforts to date (what are the debtor’s reasons for nonpayment), we’ll let you know if forwarding the claim to a creditors’ rights attorney is a prudent next step.

Can CCB facilitate legal action on an account?

Yes, CCB can facilitate legal action on an account. Whenever possible, CCB does its best to reach voluntary resolutions with your customers to save your firm time and money. Nonetheless, some claims require legal action. The attorneys we utilize specialize in collections and creditors’ rights. When necessary, CCB’s experts will facilitate and walk you through the legal process to ensure your best interests are being met and your position is secured.

When should we consider using your pre-collection letter program?

Many of our clients use the program for accounts that are 60-120 days past due or for accounts that have broken a payment promise. The program consists of a series of 4 letters sent over 30 days to your customer, placing a high priority on the outstanding balance without alienating your customer base. It’s simple (you only need to send us a little bit of information) and low-cost – you’ll pay a flat-rate fee instead of a percentage. And for most accounts, this third-party intervention is all it takes to get you paid!

What is the smallest balance I can place for collection?

For full collections, most of our clients place accounts that have a balance of $500.00 or more; however, some clients place smaller amounts. For our letter program, clients will place balances anywhere from $25.00 to $100,000.00. Regardless of account size, many of our clients feel it’s important to let their customers know that past due balances need to be paid. Contact us directly and we’ll work with you to formulate a collection process that fits your business needs.

How is your contingency fee charged? Do you charge a fee on the collection fees and interest collected?

Our contingency fee is “contingent” on CCB recovering your funds or the account being resolved (credit issued, product returned, etc.)—we don’t get paid unless the account is resolved. Our standard contingency fee is charged on the principal balance. We charge 50% on any amounts recovered above the principal amount (interest charges and collection fees).  For example, let’s say a balance of $1300 was placed in collections ($1000 principal, $200 collection fee, and $100 in interest) and CCB recovered the entire $1300. In this example, the contingency fee is 20% on the $1000 principal recovered and 50% on the $300 worth of collection fees and interest recovered in excess of the principal amount.  So, CCB would charge a total of $350 for recovering the $1300—that’s 20% of $1000 plus 50% of $300.

If you’re unable to collect, do we still have to pay?

No! At CCB we don’t collect a fee unless the account is resolved via payment or an alternate solution is reached that is agreeable to you (i.e. product is returned, a credit is issued on the account, et cetera).

Do you offer discounted rates?

Depending on the volume and value of a project, we can offer discounted contingency rates.

Why CCB?

What makes CCB different from other collections agencies? There are many things that set us apart – including the fact that we make sure you get paid first…and we can sometimes collect your receivables at no cost to you! Learn more about CCB here.

Final Demand

Use our Final Demand document to alert your customer that their payment is past due. This document informs them that if they fail to respond immediately, you’ll authorize CCB to start collection activity.

Best Practices

What are the best practices when it comes to B2B debt collection?  CCB shares insights from clients on how to collect more of your money—without a collection agency! Learn more about best practices here.

Stages of Collections

At CCB, we work closely with our clients to navigate the stages of debt collection. Here’s how that process works.

Legal Process for Claims

If your customers don’t respond to our collection efforts, you may choose to escalate this to a legal claim. Here’s how that process works.

Statute of Limitations

How long do collections agencies have to collect a debt? The statute of limitations differs from state to state, and at CCB, we are mindful of staying within this window. Read more about the statute of limitations here.

Sample Credit Application and Personnel Guarantee

What information does a credit application contain? What does it look like? Click here to view a sample credit application.

Don’t let unpaid accounts stall your business. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation. 651-340-0730

Contact Us

Commercial Collection Bureau
149 Thompson Ave E.
Suite #214
West Saint Paul, MN 55118
P: 651-340-0730
F: 651-305-4015

License # CA-20581061

   

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I hear folks say, “You can’t get blood out of a turnip,” and then I ask them, “Have you met the collection professionals at CCB?” I’m impressed with CCB’s ability to recover accounts that most would deem uncollectible. They are fair, but firm and have a knack for getting to the root of problems. CCB is exceptionally successful at collecting past due corporate accounts. You won’t find a more trustworthy and effective agency to handle your B2B collection needs. Unequivocally I recommend CCB.

Gregg KDirector at Digital Media Firm
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CCB collects where others fail.

Jeff PCredit Manager at Construction Supply Firm
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CCB is the best collection agency I’ve hired. Their results are superb, their rates are fair, and they communicate well with us and our customers.

Elaine AOperations Manager at Software Firm
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Believe it or not, before my firm was a CCB client, we were placed in collections at CCB by one of our vendors. Long story short, the debt belonged to an entity that had gone out of business due to a fire, but the fact CCB did their due diligence and figured out the relationship between the out of business entity and the holding company told me these guys really know what they’re doing. Since then, we’ve placed plenty of business with CCB and I know if they can’t collect it, nobody can!

Chris BRecycling Firm
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