I’m at an age in life where my finances should be totally secure, but like many Americans I still sometimes find myself short of ready cash when it comes time to pay the monthly bills. So I thought I’d dig out my file on past-due stickers and look at some of the ways vendors have tried (and still try) to encourage prompt payment. If you’re at all concerned that I would, in fact, have a file of past-due stickers, I can only say “thank you.” It concerns me, too.
All of the images in this column are from rubber-stamp and stock-label catalogs published from 1919 to 1958.
And I have, sadly, worked for corporations that, as a matter of principal, delayed paying bills as along as possible, even when they had the money. In these cases no amount of stickers or rubber-stamps on an invoice would make the difference. I often advised those suppliers I counted on most to threaten a work-stoppage or to hold products and services until they were paid. So another key to good bill collecting is to avoid extending credit beyond a period through which you can survive. You might think getting the balloon contract for Neverland Ranch is money in the bank, but you really don’t know!
No, just about all the bill collectors I’ve run across say that it is best to start out being extra-nice. In the early stages you’re likely to receive “gentle” reminders and “friendly” notes that give every possible benefit of doubt and may, in fact, even imply that the vendor has possibly made a mistake and simply needs clarification as to when you mailed that check. These notifications are almost apologetic.
After humor it’s time to try guilt: How am I going to feed my new baby or get that operation for my sick puppy? Bill collectors say that this stage and is often the one that gets results. They call it the “make it personal” stage and suggest telling your deadbeat customers that you’re not able to pay your own bills now, thanks to them.
Based on rubber-stamp designs from the 1920s and ’30s, vendors back then were more inclined to be downright rude, but that seems to have lost favor by the ’50s and ’60s when good customer relations became the priority. Even the most aggressive bill collectors these days are polite and usually end even the most painful conversation with “thank you for using Citibank,” or the like.
This article was last modified on May 18, 2023
This article was first published on February 20, 2008
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