By Michelle Dunn

If you're like most of us, you have customers that are having trouble paying you because of the economic crisis.  I spoke to business owners from across the world to find out what people, just like you, are doing to deal with this situation.

One woman who is in the process of starting a personal grocery 
shopping business is working on persuading people to try her business based on the comparison of high gas prices and having to take small children out to the grocery store with them. Saving them money and headaches.

Another business owner who sells bath and body products claims to have only had a temporary drop in sales.  She claims people need their products and will find a way to justify the cost versus smelling badly or getting dry and itchy skin. She claims for the customers that she has already converted to be her customers they will come back no matter what the cost if the alternative is the ?stuff? they sell in the grocery store.

Another service business is reassessing credit limits and keeping tabs on their receivables. They are now providing options to their past due customers to help themselves get paid and help their customer through this tough time.

One business owner in the Netherlands is not involved in the economic crisis like we are in the USA but had some great insights.  When she has a customer that suddenly is having trouble paying her, she first tried to find out if the customer is in temporary trouble or if the situation is more serious.  If you have a question, run a D & B query or check credit references again.  She also keeps strict payment plans and some times then requires pre payment for future work.

Some tips to help you deal with the economic crisis:

How Collectors can deal with a down economy
By Michelle Dunn