First, I went to visit member that I suspected did not work on Saturday. I knocked on the apartment door and no answer or sign of life. As I finished the note to leave in an envelope, up the stairwell comes a lady with two cute boys following in behind. “Mommy, open my gun!” Each had a play gun that they needed help getting out of the wrapper. She stared at me and I asked if she was ER. She said yes and I introduced myself. She seemed flustered and tried to talk above the noise but could not. Finally, when the boys were able to play with their toy even while it was in the wrapper, we could talk. She and her husband had split, her brother was living at the property we had financed. She did not have money today. She would get in touch with her brother and make the needed payment by the last Friday of the month. This was some progress. I accepted that and told her to contact our office by Wednesday. At this writing, she has not. But, I also obtained some good information on the ex-husband who is several months past due! It lead me to find an address for his mother – several miles away, that was a bonus!

Next, I visited a member in a mobile home. They had an amazing feature to the front door. When you knocked, the TV went off inside! After several knocks, I realized the TV would not come back on and I would not get a personal greeting- except from the hungry cat! So, I left a note and lingered a bit. Still there was no TV noise…. Hmmm, that was some smart door!

Results so far, not great. But, I was making a good statement about how serious each member’s loan was to the CU. Next, I went out of the town on a country road. I came upon the house for the member and suspected it was abandoned. The grass was very tall, in fact taller than the dog that made its way to the fence to bark at me! Before the dog could find his way out of the grass jungle, I had checked the electric meter in the back and it had a good tag on it, so the house was occupied. Another knock on the side door was answered by an older teenager. He was polite and took my note. His mother would not be back until after 8:00PM. I also asked him for a contact phone number, he gave me the mother’s cell number! That was a good improvement! Later that evening, she did call my cell and has already paid more than one payment and will pay again by month’s end. That helped a lot!

Results: maybe 2 for 3. The next place was much further out of town. In fact the address was a private gravel drive that had three choices – left, straight or right. I chose left and up the ROUGH rut filled drive way I went in Big Green. Glad Big Green is high off the road. I may have drug bottom in a normal sedan! As I approached the house, the father of the member was outside. The member’s car was not to be seen. I asked for AR. The father said that is my daughter- can I help you? I identifed myself but did not tell him I was from the CU. (I would have if he had asked.) After I gave him my cell number and a few pleasantries, I left. The result was the member called me within a few minutes and promised up to pay more than the normal payments for the next two Wednesdays! At this writing, she has already paid her loan under 60 days and will be current soon! She just needed a gentle reminder. I suspect she will return my calls if I ever have to call again!

Results: maybe 3 out of 4. (The one from the mobile home still has not paid as of this writing. But, last month she did pay after I left a note on in the door.) Next, went even further down into the country. This address was also a gravel road that had several choices of paths to take. I chose correctly however, no one was home but another cat! This cat attempted to kiss my face while I wrote the note. It was weird. First time seeing me and the cat wants a kiss? Anyway, turns out the member has separated from his wife and does not live at that address, I found out later. I did confirm his cell number, but unsure where he lives at this time. Now, we are only 3 for 5. But, we have bonus information on a severely past due member.

This adventure was part of the training for past due members. Some member/debtors need to know that we take the loan seriously and that we will come meet them if necessary. It is part of the “squeaking” we need to do sometimes to get the loan payment! Also, in the future, they know what steps we will take to collect a payment. Again, it is not the most efficient, but in the last few months, I have seen the need to use this technique to collect payments.

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