If there is no response a report is sent to you so that phone calls can be made or alternatively a second email can be sent.

If there is still no response, it is important to call your customer as at this moment you have no evidence that anyone is doing anything to arrange payment to you.

The final stages are that a further two emails are sent nearer to the due date if no payment has been received reminding the customer that the invoice NNNN for £AAAA.AA is due for payment on dd/dd/dddd.

The key advantages of the automated email system over all other methods are that:
- they are low cost,
- they never have a holiday
- they are never ill,
- they don’t forget and
- they’re never too busy
 
and if something upsets the customer then use the computer as an excuse. For example “Our computer seems to be telling us that you invoice has not been paid. Is this right or what’s happened?” All very nice and friendly…… particularly as you want more business from them and the benefits are:
 
- customers seem to pay you in preference to other suppliers
- the cash is in your bank account
- you can automatically send another email saying ‘Thank you’
 
The overall benefits are reduced bank interest and / or reduced invoice factoring charges; the freedom to use the money as you want to; freedom to develop your business as you want to; freedom to choose.