Collecting unpaid receivables is an issue that needs to be fully integrated into company management. According to a recent study, unpaid debts represent 56 billion euros in France and 338 billion euros in Europe. The vast majority of these debts come from private individuals (284 billion).
No penalties for latecomers
In France, the players most at risk from this phenomenon are B-to-C retailers, companies and startups. According to ANCR, the national association of debt collection and commercial information agencies, thousands of business failures are linked to non-payment every year.
For some years now, professional late payers have been severely punished, notably through the practice of "Name and Shame", but private late payers escape any sanction. Moreover, few creditors initiate legal proceedings for a few dozen or even a few hundred euros. These small amounts, corresponding to the majority of unpaid invoices, are therefore not recorded. ANCR believes that this lack of data makes it impossible to measure the extent of the phenomenon. The union is calling for individuals to be made "accountable", and for amicable collection fees to be applied, along the lines of those provided for by law for unpaid debts arising from transactions between professionals.
How can I protect myself against non-payment?
Faced with the lack of supervision denounced by the ANCR, companies can take certain steps to guard against or limit unpaid bills.
Find out about new customers in advance
The first step before concluding a contract is to assess the new customer's financial situation. In the case of professionals, this can be done by consulting sites such as Societe.com or Infogreffe.com, which provide financial information (marital status of the director, activity reports, sales, net income, risk of default, AFDCC score) on the company in question.
Automate reminders for unpaid invoices
Several online platforms (Gcollect, Upflow, Dunforce, mesrelances.com...) offer invoice conformity checks, automated payment tracking and reminders. Even claims of a few dozen euros can be submitted for payment. In the event of success, these intermediaries charge a commission of between 10 and 17% of the invoice amount.
Direct debit
To reduce unpaid bills for both professionals and private customers, it is advisable to set up a direct debit scheme as soon as the contract is drawn up. Some startups, such as Soan, offer secure online payment management. For example, the platform enables customers to pay quickly with just one click. In return, it charges a commission of 0.99% per transaction, capped at 200 euros.
Companies specializing in distance selling are also exposed to this phenomenon, and have an interest in equipping themselves with tools that ensure payment has been received before delivery is triggered. These companies can turn to multi-channel payment platforms such as HiPay or Stripe.