When trying to get paid from past due customers while the country is in a recession can be tough. Many people can just about put food on the table or fuel in their vehicles, and don't have anything left over to pay you.
If you cannot get payment in full for a past due account, try setting up a payment plan. Be realistic and talk with your customer about their financial situation, their bills and how much they can pay. Keep it real, don't accept a $5 a month payment on a bill for $2,500.00 but try to get substantial payments to lower the balance.
When a customers says they can't pay anything, ask them about how they can cut back on other things to have extra money to pay you. For example, do they have cable television? Do they have cell phones, do they have a house phone that has caller ID, call waiting and call forwarding? If they do, then you can let them know that if they can afford those luxuries, they can afford to pay you, and tell them you need to set up a payment plan for a fixed amount each month or week and set a payment due date.
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