Greensheet (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 371, Ed. 1 Friday, September 7, 2007 Page: 51 of 56
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September 7-13, 2007
Page 51
Better Business
BBB
Informed
Q: I own a small machine parts business
that supplies specialty items to the
petrochemical industry. Lately, I've been
faced with slow payments, and some
customers who won't even call me back. I
really don't want to hire a collection
service, since I've made it without one
through some tough spots before. I prefer
to have collection efforts under my
control, so I can keep control over what's
being said to my customers. Do you have
any suggestions about how to speed up
payments or even track some of these
companies down that seem to have
vanished?
A: Normally I'm asked about how to
stop debt collectors from harassing people
at work, so I'm glad to offer some tips on
the other side of the business equation.
There are many quality collection services
available, so I would never rule out that
option. However, since you have a small
company, it may be more effective to keep
a good relationship with any longtime
customers who are having trouble paying
on time.
Here are a few quick tips to remember
that may help you speed up payments:
* Present every customer with a clear
payment policy in writing at the time
of purchase.
* Add "address correction requested" to
your envelopes. Your customer may
have moved.
* If a customer does not respond after
two statements, make a phone call.
* Consider allowing older accounts to
take a small discount. This may be
painful, but it's less expensive than a
collection agency.
* Be friendly but firm when making a
collection call. Ask the customer to
commit to payment details.
* Add "personal" or "confidential" to the
statement's envelope to gain attention.
* Address hostile customers with a calm
tone.
The Federal Fair Debt Collection
Practices Act can help you understand
your rights and restrictions when making
collection calls. You can read all about it
at www.ftc.gov to avoid making any
collection mistakes that could land you in
serious trouble.
Q: I am way behind on my house
payment, and am willing to try just about
anything to get out of this mess and keep
my home. My house went into
foreclosure, and the next day, this man
calls me saying he can stop my foreclosure
through some kind of special bankruptcy
program. I know a foreclosure is really
going to hurt my credit, but I can't see
how bankruptcy added to that will do
anything but cause more problems. If this
really is a way I can keep my house, I'll
give it a try, but I don't want to get into
any deeper trouble than I'm already in.
A: Your first step should be to contact
your lender or an attorney for assistance.
Your lender may offer some type of
alternative repayment program, so it's
worth a try. I know you're thinking, "How
am I supposed to afford to talk to an
attorney, when I can't even make my
mortgage payment?" The answer is a free
legal assistance program in your
neighborhood. There are many offered by
foundations, the State Bar of Texas, and
law schools that can take a quick look at
the information provided by this
bankruptcy service, and tell you if it's
legitimate or a scheme designed to take
your money, your home, and further min
your credit.
According to the U.S. Department of
Justice (DOJ), "bankruptcy foreclosure
scams" are targeting consumers whose
home mortgages are in trouble. Scam
operators advertise over the Internet and in
local publications, distribute flyers, or
contact consumers whose homes are listed
in the foreclosure notices. The scam
artist's appeal is sometimes directed to
specific religious or ethnic groups.
The fraudulent operators may promise to
take care of your problem with your
mortgage lender or to obtain refinancing
for you. Sometimes they also ask you
make mortgage payments directly to them.
They have even been known to ask the
homeowner to hand over their property
deed, claiming that if the homeowner then
makes the mortgage payments to them,
they will be able to in stay in their home.
Instead of contacting your lender or
refinancing your loan, the con artist
pockets all the money you paid, and then
files a bankruptcy case in your name -
sometimes without your knowledge.
A bankruptcy filing often stops a home
foreclosure, but only temporarily. If a
bankruptcy is filed in your name but you
do not participate in the case, the judge
will dismiss the case and the foreclosure
proceedings will continue. If this
happens, you will lose the money you paid
to the scam operator - and you could lose
your house. You will also have a
bankruptcy listed on your credit record for
at least 10 years.
The Better Business Bureau, along with
the DOJ, suggests you proceed with care if
an individual or company:
* Calls itself a "mortgage consultant,"
"foreclosure service" or similar name.
* Contacts or advertises to consumers
whose homes are listed for
foreclosure.
* Collects a fee before it provides
services to you.
* Tells you to make your home mortgage
payments directly to the individual or
company.
* Tells you to transfer your property deed
or title to the individual or company.
If you think an individual or company is
running a mortgage foreclosure scam,
contact the Better Business Bureau
(www.bbb.org) and the Department of
Justice (www.usdoj.gov/ust).
Please send your questions to:
Brent Rogers
The Better Business Bureau
1333 West Loop South, Suite 1200
Houston, Texas 77027
Fax: 713-867-4947,
E-mail: brogers@bbbhou.org
Web site: http://www.bbbhou.org
Be sure to include your mailing address
and phone number with all letters and
e-mail questions.
SUVs, Trucks, Vans
Pre-owned
Transportation
1991 MASERAT!, 61,000 miles,
excellent condition, $4000 obo,
1987 Mercedes 420 Sela, low
miles, $2500 obo, (832)892-0856.
INDIVIDUAL
1992 LINCOLN Town car: Cold a/c,
sunroof, leather seat, low miles,
runs good. $1500, (713)683-9455.
1994 MADZA 626: Cold a/c, auto-
matic, sunroof, runs good. $1500,
(713)683-9455,
1992 LEXUS ES300: 139K, mint
condition. $2995. (713)875-8215.
1995 LEXUS ES300: Cold a/c.
$3000, (832)715-3973.
1993 LEXUS: GS 300, $3900,
(281)798-8047
WOW!
2001 MAZDA 626:
auto, cold a/c, CD,
excellent condition,
$3900. (832)642-0248.
1999 MAZDA Millenia: 4 door,
V-6, automatic, a/c, leather, sun-
roof. $3900, (713)206-3106.
1996 MAZDA Miata MX5: $3000.
(281)855-4020. INDIVIDUAL
2000 MERCEDES C230
Kompressor: 33K, excellent condi-
tion. $12K. (281)442-2174. INDIVID-
UAL
1998 MERCEDES, good condi-
tion, sunroof, nice, runs great,
clean, no dents! $3000.
(713)256-2600; (713)433-3289.
INDIVIDUAL
1996 MERCEDES S320: Excellent
condition. Automatic, V-6, 113,000
miles. $7800. (832)788-6666. INDI-
VIDUAL
1998 MIRAGE:
$799 down, $4495 finance. No
Credit Check! Crazy Mike,
(281)647-2886.
1993 MERCURY Grand
Marquis LS: Full power, 130K,
clean. $1750. (713)409-6911.
2002 MITSUBISHI Galant: Very
clean, 83K, salvage title, $3700.
(832)715-3973.
1993 MITSUBISHI 3000 GT coupe:
white/ silver, automatic, a/c, $2700
negotiable. (713)876-0404. INDI-
VIDUAL
2001 MITSUBISHI Montero 113K
miles, in great condition only
$4699 call. (832)620-3624 INDIVID-
UAL-Web#376812
2004 MITSUBISHI: Only $899
down, $360/ month, 22 months.
Free warranty! See us at 1510
Antoine. (713)681-1200.
2001 MUSTANG: No games! Only
$899 down! $185 bi-weekly, 22
months. Free warranty!
(713)681-1200.
2002 NEON: $1195 down, $5495
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886.
1997 NISSAN Aitima: $1800,
1997 Nissan Aitima, $2000,
(832)715-3973,
1999 NISSAN Aitima GLE: Leather,
sunroof, immaculate, truly one of
a kind, $4600 (713)409-6911.
1996 OLDS Ciera: Loaded, 42K
actual miles. $3200 obo. (832)465-
5801.
1993 OLDS: $1895 cash, (281)647-
2886.
2000 OLDS: $799 down, $4995
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886,
1999 OLDS Intrigue: V-6, full
power, 43K. $3600. (713)409-
6911.
1997 PONTIAC Firebird: V-6,
automatic, cold a/c. $2400.
(713)409-6911.
1996 PONTIAC Sunfire: Black,
standard, a/c, dependable, $1650,
(281)444-8845,
1989 PONTIAC Firebird: $1600.
(281)855-4020. INDIVIDUAL
2000 PONTIAC Sunfire: CD, white.
$3000 cash, (281)948-9709.
1994 PROBE: $799 down, $4995
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886.
1985 SUBARU wagon. Body excel-
lent. Needs timing belt. $200,
(832)671-1130. INDIVIDUAL
1995 TAURUS: $695 down, $4495
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886,
1998 TAURUS: $899 down, $4995
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886.
1997 SATURN station wagon:
$1700. (832)880-1468.
1999 SUNFIRE GT convertible:
excellent, $3750. (713)732-1837.
1995 TAURUS $2000 (832)880-
1468.
2002 TAURUS: Gas saver! Only
$899 down, $175 bi-weekly, 22
months. Free warranty!
(713)681-1200.
2003TAURUS: $1195 down, $5995
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886.
N|W 1998 TOYOTA
LISTING CamrY: 4 door
automatic, all
power. Runs/ drives/ looks
good! $2850. (713)783-9214.
1997 TOYOTA Avalon XLS:
Sunroof, high miles. $3300.
(713)409-6911.
1994 TOYOTA Camry: 4-door,
auto, a/c, $1950 (832)330-
6874.
1990 TOYOTA Camry: Automatic,
runs good. $1200, (713)683-9455.
2003 TOYOTA Camry: $9195.
(832)259-7052. INDIVIDUAL
1994 VOLVO 850, loaded, ac, $1950
(281)444-8845.
SUVs, Trucks, Vans
1992 ASTRO van: A/c, auto-
matic, am/fm CD radio,
good work truck, $1800
ObO, no checks. (281)914-6330.
INDIVIDUAL
2003 BLACK Mercedes ML350.
71,000 miles. Many luxuries.
$19,5000. Call (281)224-1000 INDI-
VIDUAL
2003 ASTRO van $1900 (832)880-
1468.
1997 CHEVROLET extended
cab Z71: Silverdo, cold a/c.
Looks and runs good, 190K.
$3850. (713)409-6911.
2000 CHEVY Adventure, gray, ac,
$2250 (281)444-8845.
1984 CHEVY pick
up truck, longbed,
with toolbox,
$1700. (281)831-1591. INDI-
VIDUAL
1992 CHEVY K5 Blazer: 4x4, 2 door,
no motor. Body and interior very
good. Nice tires and wheels. $1500
cash. (281)447-6043.
1996 CHEVY Astro van, tan, 130k
miles, ac, $2450 (281)444-8845.
1995 CHEVY Blazer: 4x4, 4 door.
$2800 obo. (713)480-4595.
2000 CHEVY 2500
* Pick-up: extended
bed/ cab, excellent
condition, $4800 firm. (281)382-
1479. INDIVIDUAL
1998 CHEVY Silverado: Extended
cab truck, clean outside and
inside, all power, V-8, motor is bad,
Rally wheels, $2250 cash firm.
(281)447-6043,
1997 CHEVY Silverado: Extended
cab, rebuilt engine, a/c, stereo,
$4300. (281)948-9709.
2004 CHEVY Silverado: 4 door,
longbed, leather, 91K, 4x4.
$12,500. (832)715-3973.
2002 CHEVY Tahoe Lt: Autoride
grey 115 K loaded $14,500.
(713)857-0054. INDIVIDUAL
1997 DODGE Ram: Club cab, SLT,
shortbed, 4x4. Fully loaded. $4500.
(832)439-4246. INDIVIDUAL
1999 DODGE Interpit, white, ac,
$2650 (281)444-8845.
2001 EXPEDITION: $1999
down, $390 monthly! 26 months.
Free warranty. Ride today @
1510 Antoine. (713)681-1200.
1993 EXPLORER: $799 down,
$4995 finance. No Credit Check!
Crazy Mike, (281)647-2886.
2000 EXPLORER: People mover!
Only $999 down, $375 month, 2
years! Free warranty! See us at
1510 Antoine, (713)681-1200.
1998 FORD Expedition Eddie
Bauer: Black, 120K. $5450.
(713)409-6911.
1989 FORD Bronco: 4x4, $1850.
(281)702-5147,
2000 FORD Explorer Sport: 2 door.
$3000. (281)948-9709.
2001 FORD F-150: 91K, $4200,
(832)715-3973.
1998 FORD Ranger Extended Cab:
4 cylinder, gas saver, manual,
$3800. (832)541-1468, INDIVID-
UAL
2003 FORD Ranger Edge:
Excellent. 38,000 miles, $7900.
832-878-3297 INDIVIDUAL
1996 FORD Windstar. Clean. Dual
a/c. Original owner, maintenance
records, 228K. $3750 obo,
[713)503-9268, INDIVIDUAL
1998 FORD Windstar: Cold a/c,
automatic, runs good, $2400,
(713)683-9455,
2001 GMC Jimmy:
NEW
LISTING ^ door, automatic,
tr a/c. Runs/ drives/
looks great! $2950. (713)783-
9214.
1996 JEEP Cherekee: rebuilt
engine, new radiator, a/c, cus-
tom CD player, $4000 obo.
(832)266-3095. INDIVIDUAL
1994 JEEP Grand Cherokee
Umited 4x4: V-8, automatic, a/c,
leather. Excellent. $3500.
(713)206-3106,
1994 JEEP Cherokee. Green, 106K,
a/c, $2650. (281)444-8845.
2004 LAND Rover, Freelander HSE,
loaded, 41K, excellent, blue/ tan
leather. $18,900, (281)579-3165.
INDIVIDUAL
i 1998 MERCURY
% ? Villager minivan,
great a/c, good shape,
160K miles, $3200, (713)202-5030
INDIVIDUAL
1995 LUMINA: $799 down, $4995
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886.
2001 MITSUBISHI Montero Sport
XLS: $5900. (281)798-8047-Web #
376648
1992 PLYMOUTH Voyager: Cold
a/c, automatic, runs good. $1000
(713)683-9455.
1994 RODEO: $899 down, $4695
finance. No Credit Check! Crazy
Mike, (281)647-2886,
1996 TOYOTA 4Runner: 4 door,
black, automatic, a/c. $4500.
(713)409-6911.
Section continues ...
Business 713-371 -3500 Personal 713-371 -3600
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Greensheet (Houston, Tex.), Vol. 38, No. 371, Ed. 1 Friday, September 7, 2007, newspaper, September 7, 2007; Houston, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth397350/m1/51/: accessed July 8, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .