Your customer is selling equipment to stay afloat.

Equipment is advertised while your invoice waits

A transport repairer sees its customer's trucks listed for sale. The customer says the sale will clear overdue accounts, including the repair bill. The repairer does not know whether finance absorbs the proceeds or whether the vehicles are essential to earning future income. An advertised sale price should not become a guaranteed receipt in the repairer's forecast.

Establish what is actually being sold

Ask whether the asset is owned by the debtor and whether a sale is agreed or only advertised. Note any conditions and expected completion date. Avoid treating an asking price as an accepted offer.

Keep the customer's explanation with the account history. If the asset belongs to a related company or another owner, the connection with payment needs particular clarification.

Ask about usable proceeds

Finance, security and sale costs may affect the amount available. Seek an explanation without demanding private account access. The relevant figure is what could genuinely support the promised payment.

PPSR guidance explains that security interests can be registered over property. It supports checking the position, not assuming a visible asset is unencumbered or that its entire value is available to trade creditors.

Source: PPSR - Searching

Consider the effect on continued trading

Ask whether the sale removes unused equipment or machinery needed for current work. If replacement hire or outsourcing is required, that may create additional cash costs.

You do not need to redesign the customer's business. You do need to understand whether another order relies on an operating capacity that is being sold to fund yesterday's debts.

Keep the collection decision conditional

If you consider waiting for completion, record the supporting evidence, review date and any rights needing protection. Obtain advice before accepting assets or security as an alternative arrangement.

Plan for a delayed or failed sale. If the transaction does not complete as expected, review the account rather than simply substituting another hoped-for asset sale.

Distinguish sale value from payment capacity

Clarify ownership, sale status and the amount potentially available after relevant obligations.

Review the promise and future credit without treating advertised proceeds as cash.

Call CRP today about debt recovery and coordinating the appropriate professional support.