Every company deals with a slow-paying customer now and then. Now there are some costumed alternatives that’ll get funds rolling in. Spain’s economy has seen better days. But for debt collectors in the country, business has never been better. El Cobrador del Frac — “The Debt Collector in Top Hat and Tails” — has had to hire 150 new collectors in the past 6 months just to keep up with demand.

The company’s secret: Use costumes and attention to embarass companies and individuals into paying their bills. El Frac, as it’s known, owns a fleet of vehicles emblazoned with the company’s logo on the side. Once arriving at their destination, employees dressed to the nines catch the attention of neighbors and surrounding businesses before doing their work.

So far, the tactic’s been profitable for the company — it has a success rate of more than 60%.

The collection company says it provides a vital service, especially for small- to mid-sized businesses that might not have the resources to collect everything they’re owed.

Of course, the company’s tactics are hard to ignore for many debtors. They’ve been so successful that several other companies in the field are taking similar approaches, outfitting their employees as bullfighters, Zorro or the Pink Panther.

Two other sources of main competition:

1. The Scottish Collector, which sends a bagpipe player in full highland dress to debtors’ businesses or homes, and
2. The Monastery of Collection, whose workers arrive dressed as Franciscan friars and chant until the owed amounts are paid.

But El Frac is still on top of the debt-collection game. When one Madrid couple refused to pay the bill for a wedding reception, the company obtained the guest list. It then called those on the list and said the people would be individually charged for their food and cake because the family wouldn’t pay up. The couple paid the sum within hours.

What do you think? Do these companies have a right to collect payment any way they can? Are their tactics bordering on the verge of harassment, or is all blame on the debtors? Let us know what you think in the comments section below.