Not All Debt Relief Costs Are Calculated On Paper
When people are too far in debt to make all of their payments to all of their creditors on time, there are many debt relief costs that go unnoticed. Costs not only to the creditors but also costs to the debtors that many do not consider when they find themselves in debt to their eyeballs. Understanding the total sources of debt relief costs can help consumers negotiate settlements with their creditors while still attempting to meet most of their financial obligations.
When a company has a problem collecting monthly payments from a customers, the costs begin to add up when they start the collections process. Initially, the debt relief costs will remain in-house as most companies spend the first month or so before turning the collection effort over to another company. In some cases, the company makes a deal with a collection agency, telling them they want 50 percent of the debt and anything over that the collector can keep.
Others will sell the debt to a third-party company, some for as low as 30 or 40 percent of the total debt, which adds to their debt relief costs, and whatever the collection company brings in will be theirs to keep. In some of these scenarios the debt relief costs for the creditor can be 60 to 70 percent of the original debt.
Costs Not Lower For The One In Debt
In addition to the debt relief costs to the business, the debtor is also going to share some expense. Not looking at the amount they owe, any time they have to take off work or spend on the phone is taking away their personal time and can be costly. They may also become distraught over their financial situation and make themselves sick with worry and stress. Not many creditors however, feel any sympathy for those who have not attempted to work with them on reducing their debt.
With the debt relief costs the creditor is facing, they may be willing work more with their customers in helping them pay off a portion of their debt and forgiving part of it as a gesture of customer service. If they can receive 75 percent of the total debt from the customer, they are still coming out with a reduction in the debt relief costs they would have to pay by going through collections. Working with the creditors and being honest about the situation is usually cheaper than ignoring their notices and ending up worried sick about the debt.
