When creditors call

I wonder what creditors are made of...

Talking with a friend about a recent phone call he received reminded me how absolutely stupid people can be sometimes.

Do I sound bitter? Come on laugh with me. Many of us have had the pleasure of dealing with one or two nasty people over the phone. Ones that demand payment right NOW or else. Why get so nasty?

Many of us DON"T say or even think,

“ehhh I don’t think I will pay for this service or item EVER!”

It’s nothing like that.

There is a saying – “Real life happens while you wait for your ship to come in”

For me, it was a car accident. The driver had no license and no insurance. I was rushed to the hospital. I was told at the time.

“Sorry, there is no reason to take him to court, that stuff happens”

Huh?

Soon after, the predators call (sorry I meant creditors),
You explain what happened and they seem sympathetic AT FIRST but then they follow up with,

“So can you make payments on $11,000? (not including the lab fees that will be coming from another creditor next week)

“Well uh..I don’t know I am in school, maybe”, I respond

Then they bust out with,

“We can’t take payments of less than $50”

At the time I was in college - $50/month? Um…no way. I didn’t even spend that on groceries.

“Well how bout your parents, they’re paying for your school right?”

No – My mom was collecting unemployment (barely making it) and I was lucky enough to receive a scholarship.

Then here it comes...

“You have to accept responsibility for the bills you acquired sir”

I reply "Yes, I am aware of that, but..." (I am cut off with more words of discouragement)

Why are they so mean? If you want me to pay a bill, be nice to me. Or as I like to reuse from their earlier greeting, (“help me help you”) but instead I hear,

“Well, sir if you paid your bills on time…”

“What?”

I bust out in my DeNiro

“You talkin’ to me?”

And then they keep going. “You have neglected…” Even after you hang up.

But they are wise enough not to leave you a nasty message when you let the machine pick up.

This is my suggestion:
If you want good reality TV, put creditors in the ring with the people they call. And to make it better, if the client wins, they get the bill erased.

Boy, would that be ugly?

Hmmm, might be better for pay per view…