When you bring on a new shipper, you hope they’ll pay on time, every time. But the reality is, even great customers occasionally miss a due date. Maybe it’s a busy month. Maybe someone’s out of office. Maybe it just slipped through the cracks.
When that happens, a payment reminder is more than just a nudge—it’s another touchpoint in the relationship. And like every touchpoint, it reflects on you.
That’s why it matters how collections are handled.
Most factoring companies today offer some form of automated collections software—but how they approach it can vary. In many cases, reminders go out on a fixed cadence, using standard messaging, and from a sender name your shipper may not recognize.
While it technically checks the box, it can sometimes feel impersonal—or even confusing to the shipper. And that confusion can lead to delayed payments, extra follow-ups, or unnecessary friction.
We’ve talked to many brokers and fleets who wanted a better option—one that gives them more control without adding to their workload. That’s why we created AR Collections Communications: a tool that helps freight companies stay on top of receivables, while still maintaining the tone, professionalism, and trust they’ve built with each shipper.
Here’s how our approach compares to what’s typically available—and why that difference matters.
We surveyed nearly 100 shippers to understand what drives their decisions and frustrations. Price matters—but service, communication, and back-office ease matter more.
1. Brand control vs. generic messaging
What’s common in the industry
Collections emails often come from the factoring company—not the broker. That means the message uses their branding and tone, not yours. And your company’s name may only appear in the invoice itself.
This disconnect can create confusion for the shipper, especially if they’ve never interacted with the factoring company directly. In a recent Denim survey, shippers listed “unrecognized sender” and “confusing messages” as top frustrations with collections outreach. That lack of clarity slows down payments and adds friction to the process.
What Denim offers
Unlike most accounts receivable collections software, Denim’s reminders are designed to feel like they’re coming directly from your team. Your logo appears at the top, your subject lines set the tone, and your messaging reflects the relationship you’ve built with each shipper.
You decide how the message sounds—whether you want it to be friendly and conversational or clear and to the point. These customizations come standard—no extra fees or upgrade required. The result: less confusion, faster payments, and a more consistent shipper experience.
2. One-size-fits-all vs. per-shipper customization
What’s common in the industry
Automated collections often follow a fixed schedule—same timing, same logic, every time. There’s usually no way to adjust follow-ups based on how different shippers operate or prefer to communicate.
That might mean reminders are sent several times before an invoice is even due, or emails continue after payment because the system isn’t updating quickly enough. Without flexibility, even routine follow-ups can start to feel out of sync with the shipper experience.
What Denim offers
Denim’s AR collections software gives you the flexibility to customize follow-up timing and recipients by shipper You can adjust the timing and frequency of reminders, decide who receives them, and set the workflow that makes the most sense for each customer.
Whether you’re working with a high-volume shipper who prefers fewer touchpoints or a newer customer who needs more structure, Denim gives you the tools to meet them where they are.
3. Limited visibility vs. self-serve transparency
What’s common in the industry
In many cases, shippers don’t have an easy way to access invoice details. If they need to check what’s due, confirm a payment status, or download a document, they have to email someone for help. That slows things down and adds extra work for your team.
According to a recent Denim survey, “chasing paperwork” ranked among the top back-office frustrations for shippers—a pain point that’s often made worse when there’s no centralized place to find payment details.
Some brokers tell us they’ve spent hours each week answering the same types of questions—“Can you resend this invoice?” or “When is this one due?”—simply because their shippers didn’t have direct access to the information.
What Denim offers
Many accounts receivable management tools still rely on email back-and-forth. Denim simplifies that with a self-serve portal built into every reminder. Shippers can view open invoices, see due dates, and check payment status on their own from the portal.
There’s no need to dig through email threads or wait for a reply. It’s all in one place—easy to access, always up to date, and designed to keep your shippers in the loop. That means fewer emails for your team, faster answers for your customers, and a smoother path to payment.
4. Third-party tension vs. relationship-first design
What’s common in the industry
In many setups, collections are handled entirely by the freight factoring company, with limited visibility or input from your team. That means if an email goes to the wrong contact or the tone feels off, it still reflects on you—even though you weren’t involved.
Without oversight, even small, accidental missteps can create confusion internally or put unnecessary strain on your shipper relationships.
What Denim offers
Automation doesn’t have to mean handing over control. Denim handles the heavy lifting behind the scenes, but you stay in charge of how outreach happens—who gets reminders, how often they go out, and what’s included.
It’s a smarter, more collaborative way to use collection automation software—with your team still in control.
There's a better way
Denim’s automated solutions streamline your back-office operations. Explore our solutions to see how Denim can help your business scale efficiently.
Collections shouldn’t feel clunky, generic, or overly aggressive. When they do, payments slow down, DSO climbs, and shipper relationships take a hit. While most automated systems are built to help factoring companies scale, they’re rarely designed with your business—or your customers—in mind.
Denim takes a different approach. Our collections tools are automated, but built around your brand and your shipper relationships. You control the message, cadence, and contacts. Shippers get clear, professional reminders—and a self-serve portal where they can check invoices and payment status on their own.
The result: fewer disputes, less back-and-forth, and payments that stay on track.
Want to see how collections can work better for your business? Book a demo and take control of your AR process—for good.
