They're installing your parts. Actively. Right now. Your precision automotive components are going into GM vehicles at the Warren assembly plant with three production shifts running daily and visible inventory tracking showing continuous usage. But your $89K Tier 3 supplier invoice from September sits unpaid because your Sterling Heights contact says "waiting for GM payment to cascade down through Tier 1 and Tier 2"—and has said exactly that for 117 days.
The invoice references an LLC in Sterling Heights (Detroit metro automotive corridor), but they redirect you to the Troy engineering office. Troy says Warren manufacturing handles vendor payments for component suppliers. Warren redirects back to Sterling Heights procurement. Location confusion across Michigan (Detroit metro automotive belt spanning multiple suburbs)—and your invoice sits unpaid while they continue vehicle production with your parts actively installed in F-150 trucks and Silverado pickups rolling off assembly lines generating revenue every hour.
You have the signed Tier 3 supplier agreement, production delivery confirmations to Warren plant, and quality inspection reports showing parts acceptance. They've gone silent for 117 days, and you're not sure if this is legitimate automotive OEM payment cascade (GM really does control entire tier supplier pyramid timing), manufacturing quality disputes appearing retroactively after parts are already in vehicles, Sterling Heights vs Warren vs Troy organizational confusion in Michigan's sprawling automotive metro, Detroit's tight tier supplier community ("escalation damages all future OEM opportunities"), or whether automotive industry's notorious payment terms are just accepted norm in Motor City.
If This Sounds Familiar, You're in the Right Place
- Net 30-45 terms routinely drift to Net 90-180+ with "waiting for OEM cascade" or "GM/Ford/Stellantis payment pending" responses accepted as normal Michigan automotive timing
- Acceptance disputes appear only after payment requests (automotive component tolerances, manufacturing quality standards, delivery timing)—despite parts already in production vehicles
- Entity confusion: Sterling Heights/Warren/Troy/Dearborn Detroit metro (nobody owns the invoice across Michigan's automotive suburbs)
- Decision-maker who approved is now "waiting for Tier 1 payment from GM" and engineering contact won't make payment decisions
- Evidence scattered: tier supplier agreements, production delivery records, quality inspection reports, acceptance emails across automotive manufacturing systems
- Automotive OEM cascades: "GM/Ford/Stellantis hasn't paid Tier 1 yet" creates indefinite delays down entire supplier pyramid
- Cross-state complications: you're outside Michigan, unfamiliar with Detroit automotive culture and tier supplier payment realities
- Detroit metro vs Grand Rapids: automotive culture vs furniture/manufacturing—different industries, different payment expectations in same state
What Changes When Collecty Runs the File
- Evidence pack assembled in first 48 hours — tier supplier agreements, production delivery records, quality reports, acceptance emails—all automotive documentation organized
- Entity and decision-owner mapping — who approves payments in Sterling Heights, Warren, Troy, Grand Rapids—automotive tier structure or manufacturing operations traced
- Industry-aware outreach — we work with automotive, tier suppliers, manufacturing, Great Lakes logistics—understanding Michigan OEM realities and payment cascades
- Acceptance reconstruction — when "OEM payment cascade" or "quality specifications" disputes appear
- Michigan-aware escalation routing — state court procedures, judgment enforcement, balance between relationship preservation and formal action in tight automotive supplier community
- Documented reporting cadence — you know what's happening across OEM production cycles and tier payment timing
Collecty works Michigan B2B files from $5K to $2M+, across automotive, tier suppliers, manufacturing, and Great Lakes logistics—evidence-first, Michigan-aware across Detroit, Grand Rapids, Warren, Sterling Heights, and Ann Arbor.
The Michigan Motor City Protocol™
How We Work Michigan B2B Files
Evidence Pack Intake + Michigan Compliance Check
Tier supplier agreements, production delivery records, quality inspection reports gathered. Michigan statute of limitations verified (6 years written contracts). Automotive documentation organized.
Entity + Decision-Owner Mapping
Sterling Heights vs Warren vs Troy vs Dearborn traced. Actual payment authority identified—OEM tier structure or direct manufacturing operations.
Industry-Aware Outreach
Automotive tier supplier payment cascades understood. OEM timing patterns respected. Motor City culture-appropriate communication deployed.
Acceptance/Quality Reconstruction
"Waiting for GM cascade" claims verified against actual OEM payment schedules. Quality inspection timelines documented. Production installation records secured.
Michigan Court Escalation Routing + Reporting
District Court or Circuit Court filing prepared when needed. Judgment enforcement mechanisms documented. Regular updates throughout OEM production cycles.
Michigan Industries We Handle
đźš— Automotive Manufacturing
Big Three (GM, Ford, Stellantis) tier supplier disputes. OEM payment cascade delays. Warren, Sterling Heights, Dearborn plant-connected invoices. Quality specification disputes after parts installation.
⚙️ Tier Suppliers & Parts
Tier 1/2/3 supplier payment cascades. "Waiting for OEM payment" delays. Production delivery confirmations. Cross-tier payment timing disputes.
🏠Advanced Manufacturing
Precision components, tooling, industrial equipment. Grand Rapids manufacturing corridor. Quality acceptance disputes. Production installation verification.
🚢 Great Lakes Logistics
Detroit River shipping, Sault Ste. Marie port operations. Maritime delivery timing. Cross-border Canada connections. Seasonal shipping complications.
Michigan Legal Framework
Statute of Limitations
Michigan allows 6 years for written contracts under Michigan Compiled Laws. Open accounts may have shorter windows. Requirements vary—consult local Michigan counsel for specific situations.
Court System
District Courts handle smaller claims. Circuit Courts for larger disputes. Michigan Court of Appeals and Supreme Court for escalated matters. Venue selection matters in multi-county Detroit metro.
UCC & Judgment Enforcement
UCC as adopted in Michigan governs commercial transactions. Judgment enforcement mechanisms include wage garnishment, asset liens, and bank levies. Federal FDCPA compliance required.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Michigan B2B Collection Requires Local Expertise
Michigan's economy revolves around automotive manufacturing in ways that affect every B2B payment dispute. The Big Three (GM, Ford, Stellantis) don't just build cars—they control payment timing for thousands of tier suppliers across a pyramid structure that extends through Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers.
This creates unique collection challenges. When your Sterling Heights contact says "waiting for GM cascade," they might be telling the truth—or they might be using automotive industry norms as a convenient excuse while their own cash flow struggles. The difference matters enormously for collection strategy.
Detroit metro's geographic sprawl adds complexity. A single automotive supplier might have engineering in Troy, manufacturing in Warren, and procurement in Sterling Heights—each redirecting payment inquiries to the others. Understanding this organizational maze is essential for Michigan B2B collection success.
We work with our US locations network to handle Michigan B2B files with automotive industry expertise. Whether you're a Tier 3 supplier in Ohio, a tooling company in Indiana, or a logistics provider outside the automotive belt entirely, we understand Motor City payment culture.
Ready to Collect Your Michigan B2B Invoice?
Get Your Michigan Evidence Pack Assessment
Share your tier supplier agreement, production delivery records, and quality acceptance documentation. We'll identify the real decision-maker, assess evidence strength, and outline your Michigan-specific options—from amicable resolution to court escalation.
Sarah Lindberg
International Operations Lead
Sarah coordinates our global partner network across 160+ countries, ensuring seamless cross-border debt recovery.
