Occasionally, my role as a commercial debt resolution specialist is misunderstood. The biggest misconception is that I am helping my clients avoid paying their creditors what they are rightfully owed. In fact, one of the first things my clients typically tell me is that they want to pay their past due accounts in full but, due to a variety of circumstances, they are just unable.
My job entails convincing my client's commercial creditors to accept less and / or accept payments that my client can manage.
Think of my role as that of a Buyer's Agent in a real estate transaction. It is my job to get my client the lowest price and the best payment terms. I cannot force commercial creditors to compromise on their claims any more than a Buyer's Agent can force a home seller to accept less than they want for their property. Like a home sale, the terms of a debt settlement must work for both parties or there is no deal.
Knowing how to approach a commercial creditor, their attorney or their collection agent and present my client's position to justify a favorable settlement is as important as a Buyer's Agent knowing how to present a purchase offer below the asking price of a property. Any information I might be able to gather regarding the creditor's position is as important as a Buyer's Agent understanding a seller's motivation to sell. Maybe they are highly motivated to settle a claim and they are willing to compromise; maybe they are firm on their price.
As an agent and advocate for my client, I always strive to get them the best settlement terms possible on their problem or disputed accounts. However, the final outcome of any negotiation must be acceptable for both my client and their commercial creditor or there will be no settlement.
