By the Numbers: Facts, figures, and Blue Book analysis

Blue Book subscribers who file claims are seeing increasing return on investment (ROI) lately, recovering $2.6 Million in 2024, and more than $1 million in the first quarter of 2025 (see Collections Services graph below). 

This increase has been driven by larger recoveries: the average in 2025 so far is $37,290.41; for 2024, the average was $19,877.51; and in 2023, the average was $13,548.73. 

These larger recoveries are a result (at least in part) of a reduction in Blue Book’s collection fees. 

In 2023, and through the first quarter of 2024, fees ranged between 8 to 12% of the amount recovered, with most claimants paying the 12% fee. Since the second quarter of 2024, fees have ranged from between 0 and 10%, with most claimants paying a 5% fee.

Courtesy Contacts

What’s more, this collections data does not reflect subscriber ROI gained through Courtesy Contacts, the free automated service that notifies Blue Book of a payment issue and encourages the respondent (alleged debtor) to pay without opening a collection or affecting the respondent’s Claims Activity Table. 

While usage of Courtesy Contacts is not showing a clear trajectory (see Courtesy Contacts Sent graph), users indicate a high level of satisfaction, often receiving prompt payment without needing to file a collection.  

Users who send Courtesy Contacts give their trading and transportation partners a final notice before taking the more significant step of opening a collection, filing a PACA complainant, or pursuing the receivable through traditional legal channels.