I might have a coupla answers for ya....
I worked in collections for a while, and the different clients we had all had different requests for how often they wanted people to be called on deliquent accounts. Some companies were either cheap or naive and wanted an initial contact, and then just wait for the money to roll in, all the while adding charges for the continually growing late balance. If this happened to you, it sucks. If you were to complain about it, I would check with the collections company to see their contact policies.
As far as cutting a check taking some time, the housing office I work for has the same wait time for deposit checks being returned to renters... basically the process is long because they have to get cleared with the accountant that they do owe you the money, then go up to Headquarters with the request, get the request cleared, then wait for the next check cut cycle, then send back down to the branch office on the next shipment of materials, etc for the office. Then you've got the sorting out, finding and confirming that the check is in the office, then digging up your address, getting the check in the envelope, and then finally, viola! you get your rebate or refund.
Whew.... that's my long post for the night!
