Dunning Letter
Letter send by
the sellers or supplier to the buyer or debtor reminding him to pay the due
amount is called a collection or dunning letter. Now a days a large portion of
business done on credit .
According to
Lesiker" The letters that are used to collect past due amounts are
collected or dunning letter"
So, the letter
sent by a supplier to his customer reminding him to pay his outstanding dues,
is called dunning letter. This types of letter r written to realize the dues
from the debtors.
Reasons for nonpayment / dues by customers
Dunning letter
are written when a substantial amount of money is due in case of credit sale.
The causes /reasons of such dues are not same. This are mentioned below:
1.The customers may
forget to pay
2.Customera overlook
payments because they are very busy
3.Customers can not
keep track
4.Customers may have plenty
of money.
5.Cuatomers will not
pay because of temporary lack of money
6.Customers may use
the money for some other money
7.Customers may think they
he is entitled to take time because he places large orders
8.customers will pay
only when frightened or threatened.
9.customers may have plenty
of money
10.Buyera prefer to
keep the money in the banks instead of paying.
From the above
mentioned points we find that there are many factors / situation responsible
for non payment of dues by customers.
Considering factors while writing dunning letter
There is no approach
of writing a collection / dunning letter. The reasons for delay in payment are
quite different from case to case & in each case the treatment to buyer
also will be different. This are given below :
1.Always assume that
the debtor is sincere & not delaying intentionally.
2.The customers assets,
volume of business record of paying debts in the past would help you to come to
a decision.
3.You viewpoint should
be used to convince the debtor that he is to pay for his own advantages.
4.Informal &
friendly approach should be used to break the ice
5.A collection letter
should not to be too brief.
6.A too short dunning
letter appears to be curt.
7.Start by sending a
regular monthly statement.
8.Mention the amount
due in each communication.
9.The collection
procedure must be adaptable to the nature of the debtor or customer .
Finally it can
be said that writing a dunning letter is really very tough. You must follow the
above mentioned of the rules. Remember that you are to use diplomacy here to
win your mission not to lose your customer.
The dunning process
Dunning is not an easy
process. It is acceptable to issue firm reminders & to take allowable
collection process.
5 steps are mentioned
below:
Step 1: sending to a
customer wither the statement of his/her account.
Step 2:Sending the 1st
dunning letter.
Step 3: Sending the
2nd dunning letter.
Step 4:Sending the 3rd
dunning letter
Step 5:Sending the
final dunning letter