What to do when a customer does not pay the invoice?
First send a factual payment reminder, then a reminder with a deadline. If payment does not arrive, hand the claim over to a licensed debt collection institute that recovers it for you. One unsuccessful reminder is enough to hand over. More on what to do when an invoice is not paid.
Debt collection or lawyer, which makes more sense for a defaulting customer?
For a pure monetary claim, a licensed debt collection institute is usually the more direct way, because the process is built for recovery, starts online and the defaulting customer bears the costs. If the case becomes contentious or has to go to court, we take that on for you as well, without you having to look for a lawyer yourself.
My customer will not pay because they are dissatisfied. What can I do?
Have them state in writing what is being complained about, and separate the undisputed part that is still due. A claimed defect does not void a valid claim. If the customer stays inactive while things stall, you hand the claim over. We assess the facts and recover the justified amount.
The customer is not paying due to alleged defects. May they reduce the invoice?
Not just like that. As long as the service is delivered, your claim remains. If only part is disputed, the rest is still due. A factual clarification comes first, and it must not end in an accepted loss of payment.
How many reminders do I have to send before I can engage debt collection?
Legally, one reminder with a deadline is enough. Further reminders are goodwill, not an obligation. So you can hand the claim over after the first unsuccessful reminder.
Is debt collection worthwhile even for small amounts?
Yes. Since the defaulting customer bears the debt collection costs, your principal claim stays untouched. Even smaller open amounts can be recovered economically this way.
What is the fastest way when a customer is not paying?
For the pure monetary claim, a specialised debt collection institute is usually the fastest way, because the process is built for it and starts online. If court proceedings become necessary, we prepare them.
What does it cost me to have an open claim recovered?
Your principal claim arrives with you at 100%. The defaulting customer bears the debt collection costs. You do not pay to get your own money back.
My customer in the trades is not paying, can I remove the installed material again?
That is usually not a practical solution and legally tricky. The reliable way is to have the open invoice recovered through a licensed debt collection institute.
From when can I engage debt collection if my customer is not paying?
As soon as your customer is in payment default and a reminder was unsuccessful. A certain minimum number of reminders is not necessary, one unsuccessful reminder is enough in practice. The earlier you hand over, the higher the chance of full payment.
Does my customer relationship stay intact?
Yes. As a licensed debt collection institute, we communicate factually and on a sound legal basis. The goal is payment, not escalation. A defaulting customer can be a good customer again tomorrow, which is why we take on the unpleasant part without straining the relationship unnecessarily.
How quickly do I get my money?
A large share of cases is settled out-of-court within a few weeks. After successful recovery, we pay out to you. You can see the status of every step live in your portal at any time.
How do I hand my claim over to incaseof.law?
You start online, upload the open invoice and hand the claim over in a few minutes. We take over the processing and pay the recovered amount out to you.
Is it a crime if a customer does not pay?
In the vast majority of cases, no. An open invoice is first a civil matter and not a case for a criminal report. Only if the customer never intended or was never able to pay and concealed that, more may be behind it. The reliable way to get your money remains handing over to a licensed debt collection institute.
What can I do if the customer is insolvent?
Even then the handover is worthwhile. We assess the situation and secure your claim, for example with an enforceable title that stays valid for many years. That way you get your money even if the customer can only pay again later.
What can I do if my customer does not pay despite the reminder?
If your customer does not pay despite the reminder, you have reached the point where following up yourself rarely helps anymore. Hand the claim over to a licensed debt collection institute. A demand from a debt collection institute is usually taken far more seriously than your next own reminder.
Is incaseof.law a licensed debt collection institute?
Yes. incaseof.law is a debt collection institute licensed in Austria, confirmed by the OGH, and recovers claims in Austria and Germany.