Kinum helps businesses recover unpaid B2B invoices through a staged commercial debt recovery process. Early-stage accounts may be handled with relationship-focused third-party intervention, while older or repeatedly stalled debts can move to contingency collections, credit reporting where permitted, and attorney review when appropriate.
Diagnose invoice collectibility under UCC standards, evaluate legal vs. agency escalation paths, and resolve delinquent accounts without forfeiting customer relationships.
Select your delinquent account profile to reveal the recommended recovery tier:
Your customer is responsive and invoice aging is early. Avoid aggressive commission collectors. Use diplomatic, structured third-party written demands where payments are made directly to your company.
Not every past-due invoice belongs in aggressive litigation. Use this diagnostic matrix to match debtor behavior with the correct collection posture.
| Debtor Scenario | Underlying Root Cause | Governing Framework | Recommended Move | Operational Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frequent Payment Promises Broken | Cash-flow prioritization (they pay louder vendors first) | Corporate Trade Credit Terms | Formal third-party licensed demand notices | Step 1 & 2: Flat Fee |
| Invoice/Deliverable Disputed | Legitimate dissatisfaction or bad-faith stalling tactic | UCC § 2-607 (Notice of Breach) | Documentation audit & professional third-party mediation | Step 2: Mediation |
| Debtor Unreachable / Evading Calls | Strategic evasion, insolvency risk, or changed ownership | State Corporate Records & UCC Liens | Commercial skip-tracing and asset verification | Step 3: Contingency |
| Account Over 180 Days Delinquent | Severe distressed operation or deliberate write-off bet | Commercial Credit Standards | Full commercial collection with credit reporting | Step 3: Direct Collector |
| Asset-Rich Debtor Refusing Valid Claim | Willful default despite documented liquidity | UCC § 2-709 (Action for the Price) | Affiliated commercial attorney review and legal demand | Step 4: Legal Escalation |
A comparison of costs, recovery timelines, and relationship outcomes to evaluate before filing a commercial lawsuit.
| Evaluation Parameter | Commercial Collection Agency (Kinum) | Commercial Collection Attorney |
|---|---|---|
| Initial Financial Outlay | Low flat fee (~$20/acct) or zero-risk contingency | Costly upfront legal retainers + court filing costs |
| Speed of First Intervention | Hours: Instant skip-tracing and formal demand execution | Weeks: Drafting complaints, filing motions, formal service |
| Customer Goodwill Preservation | High: Diplomatic negotiation retains recurring accounts | None: Legal action terminates business relationships permanently |
| Account Viability Screening | Identifies whether the debtor is solvent before spending money | Billed hourly regardless of whether the debtor is judgment-proof |
| Endgame Capabilities | Collects voluntarily or refers directly to vetted legal networks | Direct lawsuit, garnishment, and post-judgment execution |
Before placing an account for third-party debt collection, check the documentation you have available. Strong documentation maximizes leverage during dispute negotiations.
Do you need all 6 items? No. But having an itemized invoice alongside documented proof of delivery or an email acknowledging the balance increases commercial recovery rates significantly.
Anonymous Case Files across different industries and invoice sizes.
The client acknowledged delivery of three pallets, but AP stalled with perpetual "next check run" promises over 75 days.
The debtor raised minor quality concerns on custom parts after 180 days of non-payment to avoid releasing funds.
A regional distributor abruptly shuttered its local warehouse and ceased answering emails and phone calls.
Specific operational and legal answers for CFOs, controllers, and business owners.
Place your commercial accounts online immediately or consult with a Kinum recovery specialist.