knowing who you're doing business with, setting terms you can live with, and catching red flags early.
Here's a practical checklist to help you get it right.
Before you talk about terms, confirm you're actually dealing with a real, operating company. Here’s what you should start with:
- Get their legal name and structure. Is it an LLC, corporation, partnership, or sole proprietorship? This matters for who signs the agreement and who you'd pursue if payment fails.
- Confirm they're registered and in good standing. Check your state's Secretary of State or business registry for the entity's status and registered agent.
- Check the people. Know who owns the business and who has authority to sign. A quick look at the company's leadership can tell you a lot about stability.
Next: Pull a Business Credit Report
A business credit report is the closest thing to a payment track record. Services like Dun & Bradstreet, Experian Business, and Equifax Business provide scores and payment history that show how the company has handled credit in the past.
What to look for:
- Payment history. Do they pay on time, late, or not at all? Patterns here are the strongest predictor of future behavior.
- Credit utilization. A company that's already stretched thin may not have room to pay you.
- Public records. Bankruptcies, judgments, and liens are major red flags.
- Trade references. Ask for references from other suppliers or vendors and actually call them. Ask how the customer pays, not just whether they pay.
Check the Owner's Personal Credit (for Small Businesses)
For small businesses and sole proprietors, the owner's personal credit is often the real story. Many small companies have thin business credit files, so the owner's personal history is a useful window into how they manage money. If you're extending meaningful credit to a small business, a personal credit check on the principal — with their permission — can be worth the effort.
Get Help with Commercial Debt Collection
No matter how carefully you vet, some accounts will still go unpaid. That's a normal cost of doing business on credit. When it happens, the key is to act quickly and professionally.
We handle commercial debt collection from the first professional demand letter through litigation if necessary, so you can protect the relationship while still getting paid. You can place a claim securely through our online portal, upload your documents, and track progress in real time.
Get the money you deserve. Call us at 248-370-8160 or fill out a click here to fill out a contact form.
