background

Blog:

Common Debtor Excuses – And How to Respond Professionally

“The payment is coming next week.” “We’re just waiting for our client to pay us.” You’ve heard them all. Here’s how to turn excuses into legally useful evidence — and eventually, payment.

Excuse #1: “We never received your invoice.”

Response: resend the invoice with proof and a new clear deadline.

Keep a record of:

  • Date and time you resent it
  • Email delivery confirmation (if available)
  • Any acknowledgment from the debtor

Excuse #2: “We’re having temporary cash flow issues.”

Response: ask for a concrete, written payment plan and a first partial payment.

If they refuse even a small payment, it’s often a sign they are not acting in good faith.

Excuse #3: “The work was not good enough.”

If quality was never raised earlier, this may be a tactic to avoid payment.

Response: ask them to specify in writing:

  • What exactly was wrong
  • When they first noticed it
  • Why they did not raise this earlier

Vague complaints without specifics are usually weak defenses later.

Excuse #4: “Our accountant will handle it.”

Response: ask for a concrete payment date and confirmation in writing. “The accountant” is often code for “we’ll delay this as long as possible.”

Excuse #5: Silence

No reply is also a message. It often means the debtor is hoping you will give up.

That’s usually the time to involve a No Cure, No Pay debt recovery specialist and consider steps like listing on the Accountability Register.

Turning excuses into leverage

Every excuse — when captured in writing — is also evidence that:

  • They acknowledge the debt
  • They know it is overdue
  • They are simply not prioritizing you

This becomes a powerful part of your case if escalation is needed.

Let us handle the excuses

Keep It Calm & Professional

Never respond angrily or with threats. Stick to:

  • Facts
  • Deadlines
  • Documented promises

Professional communication today becomes strong evidence tomorrow.