我的德国客户：假破产，真退货

Core Insights - The article discusses a company's experience with a long-term B2B client in Germany that allegedly used bankruptcy as a tactic to avoid paying debts, raising concerns about trust and risk management in business relationships [5][12][24]. Group 1: Business Relationship Dynamics - The company had a stable relationship with its B2B clients for several years, relying on mutual trust and dependency [2][3]. - The client unexpectedly claimed bankruptcy, leading to a temporary cessation of payments and a return of unsold inventory as compensation [6][8]. Group 2: Bankruptcy Tactics - The client, after claiming bankruptcy, resumed placing orders just two months later, raising suspicions about the legitimacy of their bankruptcy claim [9][11]. - Legal advice indicated that while the client submitted bankruptcy documents, the process was not completed, suggesting a strategic maneuver to evade debt [10][17]. Group 3: Payment Terms and Practices - In Germany, B2B transactions typically involve payment terms of 30 to 60 days, contrasting with practices in China [13][14]. - The client delayed payments for four months before invoking bankruptcy, which was perceived as a tactic to avoid payment obligations [15][29]. Group 4: Risk Management Strategies - The company learned the importance of not allowing clients to delay payments excessively and should have acted sooner to enforce payment terms [21][22]. - Recommendations include regularly checking client credit status, tightening payment terms for high-risk clients, and ensuring that any agreements made during bankruptcy discussions do not waive the right to claim debts [29][30].