In a wholesale or manufacturing business, or any business that is not strictly local, practically all of the collections are made by mail, hence the subject of collection correspondence becomes of extreme importance. The extent to which letters are used is naturally governed by the ideas of the collector; by some they are used freely, by others as special appeals or duns only. One very successful credit man, who has handled the collections in one of the largest mercantile establishments in the country, gives it as his opinion that a letter should be sent with every request for payment—even with the monthly statement.
Except in unusual cases, specially dictated letters are not necessary; filled-in form letters answer every purpose—indeed it is claimed by many that carefully prepared form letters, designed to meet certain definite conditions, are superior to letters dictated in the ordinary rush of business. Forms can be prepared for different classes of customers, and to meet any of the contingencies likely to arise in the ordinary business. Form letters used for collection purposes should be exceptionally well printed, and great care must be used to secure ribbons that are an exact match for the body of the letter. There is nothing more calculated to make an unfavorable impression than a letter in which the date, name, and address fail by several shades to match the body.
The exact form of the letters must be varied to suit the particular business in which they are to be used; they will differ in manufacturing, wholesale, and retail lines, in a mail-order business, or for installment accounts. In a manufacturing business, for instance, a letter something like the following might be sent with the monthly statement.
Dear sir:
In accordance with our usual custom, we enclose a statement of your account as it appears on our books at this date. Will you kindly compare this with your records, and advise us of any discrepancies.
That we might be in a position to fill your orders promptly, we have kept our factory running on full time during the past few months, which has involved quite a heavy investment in material. We will, therefore, appreciate a check from you covering the amount shown to be due.
We will also appreciate a liberal order, which we can fill at once, as our stocks are unusually complete just now.
Very truly yours,
Such a letter leaves a very much better taste than please remit stamped on the statement, and yet it plainly asks for a remittance. There is something about the letter that savors of the personal appeal, and gives the debtor the feeling that a special accommodation is being asked, which he should make an effort to grant.