Which charge should be sent to collections first among four past-due charges: $400 (10 weeks past due), $800 (6 weeks past due), $1,000 (4 weeks past due), and $2,000 (8 weeks past due)?

Which charge should be sent to collections first among four past-due charges: $400 (10 weeks past due), $800 (6 weeks past due), $1,000 (4 weeks past due), and $2,000 (8 weeks past due)?

• A. $400
• B. $800
• C. $1,000
• D. $2,000

Answer: (D)

In collections, you aim to maximize the return from the effort spent, so you often prioritize the accounts with the highest potential recovery. The $2,000 balance is the largest past-due amount among the four and is sufficiently delinquent (8 weeks) to be a strong candidate for placement. Because collection efforts have costs and agencies typically succeed more with larger balances, sending the biggest amount first makes the most financial sense. The smaller balances—$400, $800, and $1,000—are less impactful to start with, so they’re lower priority for initial placement.

In collections, you aim to maximize the return from the effort spent, so you often prioritize the accounts with the highest potential recovery. The $2,000 balance is the largest past-due amount among the four and is sufficiently delinquent (8 weeks) to be a strong candidate for placement. Because collection efforts have costs and agencies typically succeed more with larger balances, sending the biggest amount first makes the most financial sense. The smaller balances—$400, $800, and $1,000—are less impactful to start with, so they’re lower priority for initial placement.