Definition
A custom quote is a formal pricing proposal submitted by a collection partner when a case needs non-standard pricing. Unlike standard pre-legal cases, which use fixed SDCA pricing tiers, custom quotes allow partners to propose their own pricing structure and approach for handling the case.
Custom quotes are created when:
A case requires legal intervention
The case does not fit standard pre-legal requirements (disputed claim, unusual claim type)
An exclusive partner declines a case that then goes to the network
No exclusive partner exists for the jurisdiction
Important: Custom quotes are distinct from custom terms. Custom terms are pre-agreed pricing conditions stored on a client record that apply automatically to all their cases. Custom quotes are case-specific proposals that require client approval before work begins.
Quote Pricing Models
Partners submitting custom quotes can choose from four pricing structures:
Pricing Model | Description |
Hourly Rate | Partner charges a per-hour rate for time spent on the case |
Flat Fee | Partner charges a fixed amount regardless of outcome |
Success Fee | Partner charges a percentage of the recovered amount (no recovery, no fee) |
Hybrid | Combination of the above (e.g., reduced flat fee plus success fee) |
For comparison, standard SDCA pricing uses fixed success fee percentages based on claim size, jurisdiction, and debt age. See Success Fees: How Pricing is Calculated for standard pricing tiers.
Quote Types
There are two scenarios in which custom quotes are collected:
Network scenario: Multiple partners receive the quote request and submit competitive bids. The client reviews all quotes and selects a winner. This type is used for legal cases or when the client wants multiple options.
Exclusive scenario: A single partner submits a custom quote. This occurs when an exclusive pre-legal partner declines a case because it does not meet standard requirements, but the partner still wants to offer to handle it under custom terms.
Client Approval Requirement
Clients must explicitly approve custom quotes before work can begin. The quote approval workflow:
The system identifies the case needs custom pricing
Eligible partners receive quote request notifications
Partners submit quotes with their proposed pricing and approach
The collection window closes after 120 business hours or when the expected number of quotes is received
The client receives reminders at 10 and 17 days if no selection has been made
The client reviews all quotes and selects one
The winning quote is marked as accepted; other quotes are declined
The case is assigned to the winning partner and moves to active status
All custom pricing is negotiated directly between the partner and client. The SDCA Section 04 states that the client and collector must agree on all terms and pricing for legal actions beforehand.
Relationship to Standard Terms
When a custom quote is accepted:
The custom pricing replaces standard SDCA pricing tiers
Other SDCA terms (exclusivity period, payment handling, obligations) still apply unless explicitly modified
Legal actions are conducted directly between the client and partner under separate agreements; Debitura is not a party to those agreements
Impact by Actor
Client
Receives quotes for non-standard cases instead of automatic assignment at fixed rates
Can compare multiple proposals before selecting a partner
Must approve the quote before the partner can begin work
May view any pre-agreed custom terms at Custom Terms in account settings
Collection Partner
Can propose custom pricing for cases that do not fit standard pre-legal criteria
Competes with other partners on network quote requests
Can decline quote requests without obligation to quote
Work begins only after the client selects the quote
Debitura
Facilitates the quote collection and selection process through the platform
Distributes quote requests to eligible partners based on jurisdiction and criteria
Is not a party to custom pricing agreements between clients and partners
Notes
Partners can view quote requests and submit quotes without signing the SDCA. However, partners must sign the SDCA before creating new cases on the platform.
If a client has pre-agreed custom terms stored on their account, those terms apply automatically to all their cases and are separate from the quote process.
The SDCA Section 04 governs legal actions and quotes: all legal actions are conducted directly between the client and partner under separate agreements.