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Making a World of Difference
by Linda George
President
Crawford Associates, Inc.
About Our Company
From our beginning of operations in 1992, CRAWFORD ASSOCIATES, INC., a privately owned third party collection agency, has provided services that are a “World of Difference ” from other companies. With a history of timeshare experience, our founder, Will George brought knowledge and understanding of developer, association and owner issues. He instilled the value of timeshare and held a firm belief that proper marketing and clean sales practices would produce a successful resort and continued education for the timeshare owner would produce a strong association membership. Will and his wife Linda established honesty, integrity and personal customer service as foundation values for the company and those values continue to guide our daily activities. Contracting exclusively with vacation resort clients allowed us to focus on their individual and specific needs and those needs directed the growth and evolution of our business toward resort Home Owner Association services. We now contract collections to fourteen resort associations with an annual collection total at five million dollars. Our success and gratitude is owed to these clients for their continued confidence and trust in our work and for their support of our collection efforts.
World of Difference
Delinquency collections by Crawford Associates, Inc., is a “World of Difference” from typical collection services. With a combined program of delinquency letters and collection calls, timeshare knowledge is used to resolve problems for the timeshare owner and re-sell the delinquent owner on the many benefits of their purchase. They are advised of different options for using their vacation time, they are encouraged to financially support their resort and to actively participate in their resort operations. A written inquiry or dispute from the owner receives a personal letter with documentation in reply, voice mail and predictive dialers are intentionally avoided to further promote personal customer service. (An answering machine is used only after office hours.) The HOA client has Internet access to detailed collection notes in real time, a “World of Difference” from other companies, along with records of letters and payments and numerous flexible reports. CAI Resort Services, a division of Crawford Associates, Inc., now offers HOA Billing and Receivable Services. A revolutionary concept for fee structuring based on all-inclusive services provides a “World of Difference” in benefits to the HOA. With set budget cost, investment opportunities, available funds and Internet access to all account details the Association and/or Resort Managers can devote their attention to resort operations and their time to owner services.
Innovative Technology
The most innovative technology is made available through our secure web site, launched in May 2004. Designed specifically to serve the HOA client, it maintains an easy to use interface for non-skilled computer users. Information, details and reports are available through tiered access for every aspect of HOA operations, virtually eliminating the need to purchase or maintain in-house programs or computer systems. This tiered access allows the HOA to designate the amount and type of information available to the front desk or reservation staff, accounting, exchange company or resort managers. Reservation, exchange and confirmation details can be entered and maintained on the web site as well as resort notes. Improvements are programmed into our site to meet any additional need or request by the HOA - at no charge. With only Internet access, an individual resort HOA or a Management Company for numerous resort properties can experience a “World of Difference” in collection services from Crawford Associates, Inc., or a one-site provider for all association services from CAI Resort Services.
Key Personnel
Aaron Diller, Vice President Operations, has been with Crawford Associates, Inc. over eight years. He advanced from collector to office manager to his current position while graduating Cum Laude from the University of South Florida with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Management. Aaron is motivated by challenge and possesses exceptional organization skills, in addition to managing business operations, Aaron participates in ARDA events, visits our clients and promotes our business with personal presentations to Home Owner Associations. Aaron is a major contributor to our success with dedication, values and goals that mirror those of Crawford Associates, Inc.
Christin LeGrange, Executive Secretary, provides unparalleled support to management and staff. Her accuracy, skills and attention to details promote the continuous flow of information and the smooth function of office operations. Christin has been dedicated to the success of Crawford Associates, Inc. since her first day on the job, almost two years ago, earning our deepest respect and sincere appreciation.
Our Staff
Our collection staff came from a number of prior agencies and various job descriptions. Each employee is skilled and receives continuous training on the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Additional training is directly from HOA documents, including the Resort Prospectus, the Association by Laws, Rules and Regulations and State Statutes governing timeshare operations. These tools of knowledge allow our collectors to discuss with a delinquent owner the value and benefits of ownership and the numerous options available to maximize those benefits. The owner is further educated by our staff on the financial obligation shared by every owner to their not-for-profit HOA and on their responsibility to support their unpaid Board of Directors.
Dedication, Commitment, and Values
More information about our company, our philosophy, and our published rates are available on our web site at www.cairesortservices.com ; Our servicing contract is simple, short and straightforward, it does not require a legal department for translation. Crawford Associates, Inc. is truly dedicated to best serving the Association and to providing a World of Difference for those we serve. We welcome inquiries by telephone, (remember you only reach a recording after office hours) e-mail, fax or post.
Contact Information:
Aaron Diller
VP-Operations
AaronD@cairesortservices.com">AaronD@cairesortservices.com
Linda George
President
LindaG@cairesortservices.com
Office #: 800-566-8757
Fax: #: 888-566-8757
Direct #: 941-926-8850
Crawford Associates Inc.
P. O. Box 3078
Sarasota, Florida 34230