Resolving debt collection cases: tips for self-employed persons

Questioner

Good day, I work as a freelance translator. A client doesn't pay €2,000. Is a debt collection agency worthwhile, or is legal action better? Yours sincerely,

Questioner

This also depends on the reason: why isn't the debtor paying? I can help you with both options. It's best to start with the more affordable round of debt collection, or it's better to first issue a notice.

Questioner

Thank you for your response and for your offer! It is a translation agency that does not want to pay, not on the basis that I have not done my work properly, but because it is their habit to pay only after serious threats, I heard from several other translators (afterwards). I sent two reminders and a formal notice for both invoices, stating that the next step would be legal. I'd already been recommended a debt collection agency with experience working with her (no cure, no fee for out-of-court collection costs). But I'd heard that debt collection agencies often weren't very effective either. Is your offer of assistance based on a specific financial contribution? Yours sincerely, Robert Severin

Questioner

No cure, no pay, as offered by debt collection agencies, usually means receiving an invoice after the fact. You've essentially already taken legal action by sending a reminder and a default notice, and after that, an external person or agency is allowed to charge collection fees. You're not allowed to do that yourself. Only for outsourced work. I asked why, because you can't pluck a bone from a bone, even after a conviction in court.