Shortcomings in Credit Rating Agencies
The Securities and Exchange Commission today released findings from extensive 10-month examinations of three major credit rating agencies that uncovered significant weaknesses in ratings practices and the need for remedial action by the firms to provide meaningful ratings and the necessary levels of disclosure to investors..... [click for more]

Collection Trends
The Shrinking Dollar: What Happens When There Is a Delay in Collecting Accounts.... [click for more]

Effective Collection Procedures
While there are usually established trade practices in every industry, it is sometimes the differences that make customers choose one supplier over another. It is important that your accounts know what your credit policy is to eliminate misunderstandings. Statement of that policy and that payment is overdue, is a first step in facilitating payment. ... [click for more]

WHAT ARE TERMS AND WHY IS IT A GOOD THING?
You’ve conceived or licensed an idea for a great product. You’ve designed, packaged, manufactured and imported that product. Or in the case of retailers, you’ve spent untold amounts of time, sweat and money choosing products. Now it’s time to make back your investment by selling that product to your customers. You spend more money and go to trade shows, advertise in local publications, and purchase catalogs. You demonstrate the products to buyers who write an order! You ask for payment and the buyer says she’ll pay you… in 30 days. She wants credit. Hold on a minute. You had to pay for everything as you went so why in the world shouldn’t she? ... [click for more]

2006 COLLECTABILITY SURVEY
(Year 2006 Collection Results) ... [click for more]

PLAYTHINGS Magazine
For Sharon DiMinico, founder and CEO of Learning Express, Specialty toy retailer sets late-paying franchisees straight occasionally taking a few minutes out of her day to call or email certain franchisees to urge them to pay their vendors is a means of protecting the brand. ... [click for more]

EDPLAY Magazine
Five years ago, as the Beanie Baby craze wound down and the economy started to stall, specialty toy manufacturers were getting hit hard by the large number of retailers closing their doors. Who could blame them for being skittish about offering credit when they had gotten burned in the past? How would they even know which retail operations they could trust in the future? ... [click for more]

PLAYTHINGS Magazine
LOS ANGELES—If there’s anything tougher than being a small independent retailer struggling to make ends meet, perhaps it’s being a small vendor waiting to be paid by a small struggling retailer. ... [click for more]

PRESS RELEASE
Andover, MA and Evergreen, CO (February 12, 2008) – The two companies today announced a strategic affiliation in which BirdDog Solutions will provide services to member companies of The Credit Collective. The terms of the agreement between the two privately held companies were not disclosed... [click for more]

PRESS RELEASE
The Credit Collective is moving into 2008 with endorsements from several industry organizations. The National School Supply and Equipment Association (NSSEA), the Game Manufacturers Association (GAMA) and the Canadian Toy Association (CTA) are highly recommending the... [click for more]

PRESS RELEASE
The Credit Collective, LLC, has taken another impressive step in helping its membership base of specialty toy and educational manufacturers to save time, effort and money. Through negotiations on its membership’s behalf, beginning on May 8, all Credit Collective members who submit accounts to the prestigious collection agency, Charter Adjustments Corp., will get a preferred discount rate that is well beneath the industry standard.... [click for more]

PRESS RELEASE
In an effort to increase sales and protect cash flow, Canadian toy and game makers have banded together with their American counterparts. Utilizing the powerful, web-based services of The Credit Collective, Canadian and American companies now exchange hundreds of qualified sales leads and credit references on a daily basis. Because of the unique, peer-to-peer nature of the service, the shared information is industry specific and, therefore extremely effective.... [click for more]