Debt collectors try to show their soft side
Filed under: Debt, Relationships
Debt collectors have decided that they want you to like them, they really do. The Association of Credit and Collection Professionals, the industry's trade group, has taken to referring to debtors as their agency's "customers." I'm all for euphemisms, but isn't that kind of like referring to inmates as the prison's "preferred clients?"
On its website, the association brags that "The collection industry saved the average American household $351 in 2005. This amount represents dollars households would have spent if businesses were forced to raise prices to cover bad debt."
OK then. The ACA's general counsel told the New York Times that "Collectors actually care about consumers. They want to teach consumers how to get out of debt. They're trying to put themselves out of business."
Hold on, what? Why would debt collectors want to put themselves out of business? Are we actually supposed to believe that.
It isn't that I have a problem with debt collectors. I don't. I think that if someone fails to pay off a debt as they agreed to, the people who lent them the money have every right to take steps to collect. That's fair, and I don't understand why the industry feels a need to apologize for that by calling the debtors "customers" when the reality is that the customers are the banks. There's nothing wrong with that!
They're making themselves look silly playing the role of consumer's best friend. Why don't they just accept that their job is to twist arms and collect debt, own it, and be proud?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
3-16-2008 @ 5:46PM
ikillCAs said...
All it takes is one good phone call and you will be collecting from collectors. most are morons who break the law by running their mouths.
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3-16-2008 @ 6:13PM
Ms G said...
I recently received a call from a "kind" Collection Agent. I have been one month behind on my mortgage with Wells Fargo for five months because I got caught up in having to pay two mortgages at one time (My renter backed out at the last minute, and I could not get a sale on the vacant house either because the whole neighborhood was trying to sell). And to make bad things worst, my employer has been paying us sporatically due to their own problems. It's been a bad scene for my survival. Up until 4 months ago I have always paid my bills ontime. She made me feel good because she listened to what I had to say and she offered phone numbers of people who could possible help me. Her positive attitude gave me hope instead of piling on frustration. It's been a long haul of other insulting, fast talking Credit Collectors, but her kindness will always influence me to make extra efforts to pay them first.
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3-17-2008 @ 1:40AM
lightingstorm said...
as a bill collector I do find I collect more $$$ and go the extra step to help my debtors when they are also kind back to all the idots out they that want to yell , use foul lanangue , threats , slamming phones, lying. screening calls , and generally acting like a 2 year old told no for the 1st time STOP SPENDING LIKE THERE IS NO TOMMOROW
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3-17-2008 @ 8:20PM
lightingstorm said...
AND GROW UP!! you all know who you are . they don;t want or need help they just keep stealing services, goods and products that you have to pay for them with higher bills and prices. We donl;t have to worry about going out of bussiness there will always be professional debtors , they know all the bankrupcy laws and collection laws by heart , alway braging about how they got out of this bill and that bill, We all know who you are don;t worry people I call about 250 people a day home work friends neighbors cowrkers who ever I can to find you , When returning a simple call to me explaining what is happing and working out a plan for you would end most of your calls and most likely save you some $$$ also or you can keep hiding behind everyone most debtors private info is given up by family and friends coworkers inlaws , because they are sick of you not paying your bills and they are getting your mail and calls they also tell us not to tell you who gave you up but stop calling them. Did you also know when you apply for that new car or home . they call us and give us your information to collect on your debt because most likely they will be hiring us in a few months to collect on your debt to them.