Who Pays Collection Agency Costs? Fee Models & Rate Factors Explained
Key Takeaways Creditors pay collection agency fees through contingency-based models, typically ranging from 15-40% of recovered debt, with payment only occurring when collection succeeds. Fee rates depend heavily on debt characteristics - fresh commercial debts under 90 days command lower rates around 20%, while older accounts over one year may reach 50% due to increased difficulty. Debt size significantly impacts pricing , with smaller claims under $5,000 carrying higher percentage rates (20-35%) while larger accounts over $50,000 qualify for reduced rates (10-15%). Volume discounts and negotiation opportunities exist for businesses placing multiple accounts monthly, potentially reducing effective commission rates by 5-10 percentage points. Recovery rate matters more than fee percentage - choosing agencies based on proven success rates often yields better net recovery than simply selecting the lowest-cost option. Understanding who bears collection agency costs and how fee structu...