Why do people have to be such assholes?

[SeattleGirl]

Why does our value as a person decrease when our income decreases? Why does it decrease when we are having financial problems? Why do people think they can kick another human being to the curb when they are already down? Does it make them feel better? Make them feel like powerful men and women? Do they get their jollies this way?

I've been in a financial pinch for 9 months. My car was repossessed, and I have until the end of the week to get it back, or it will be auctioned off. Today, I got a call from an attorney, in connection with a credit card I had fallen behind on. Asshole was rude, condescending, snide, and mean, because I can't pull $600 out of my fucking hat.

Now I can't stop crying.

[miss_american_pie]

1. I'm so sorry

That's really uncalled for.

[SeattleGirl]

4. Thanks.

Yes it is, but some people really seem to like behaving that way.

[Oeditpus Rex]

2. ...

[SeattleGirl]

5. Aw, you.

[PVnRT]

3. They sent a fucking LAWYER?

Christ, who the hell is this company? That's some serious bullshit, sending a lawyer after $600 in credit card debt. Is it a mafia credit card, or what?

[SeattleGirl]

8. Apparently it is a mafia credit card. Or the debt was sold to the mafia.

I'm sure some judge is just gonna love wasting his/her time on this one.

[PVnRT]

12. Check the fine print

If the late fee is "broken kneecaps," you're in trouble.

[SeattleGirl]

18. Oy, now I'm scared to look.

The way this arse was treating me, though, it wouldn't surprise me.

[AirmensMom]

6. I'm sorry, SeattleGirl.

That really sucks. People can be real assholes.


Here's a hug. I hope things get better for you soon.

[SeattleGirl]

9. Things are slowly getting better.

Unfortunately, as many people know, it can take a short time to fall into a financial hole, and a hell of a long time to get out of it.

Thanks for the hugs.

[Haole Girl]

7. Oh no...

I'm so sorry to hear this...and you are so smart, too.
One more observation-- why is it...the amount of wealth is not proportionate to the amount of intelligence? I've never figured that one out, either.

Hugs for you...

[SeattleGirl]

11. Good observation, KC2, about wealth and intelligence.

Thanks for the hugs.

[Sequoia]

57. Yes.

Recall Tesla (my favorite inventor these days) who was brilliant as could be but died pretty poor with pigeons for friends. This man, who lit up the world but was not money savy. My SO couldn't get a job for like ever and mostly I didn't mind because he was taking care of our baby. But let me tell you of the drawn lips and lowered eyelids towards him because he wasn't working. Yet, he could run circles around these knuckle heads who's goal in life was to "get what's coming to them", and lived for the weekend.

[billyskank]

10. Because they're just assholes

[SeattleGirl]

14. Good answer. Simple and straightforward.

Sometimes I think people like that deliberately seek out jobs that allow them to be assholes and get paid for it.

[Crap_in_a_Hat]

13. I suck at this

But I offer my condolences. And if people spent too much time worrying about every asshole out there, they'd have to stop eating and bathing. Hope you feel better.

[SeattleGirl]

15. You don't suck at this.

And thank you. I don't waste too much time on assholes, but this one was in my face (or rather, in my ear), and it just got to me.

[cwydro]

23. Collections people have been known to say anything

and it may not be true; he may not be a lawyer at all.

[SeattleGirl]

26. Collections people lie through their teeth.

This guy is an attorney, btw. But attorney's don't intimidate me -- I've dealt with them for 17 years in doing my job. But being treated like a piece of garbage bothers me, especially when I don't deserve it.

[cwydro]

35. No, you don't deserve it.

Period.

[BarenakedLady]

16. Oh that is horrible

I'm sorry you are going through a tough time right now.

[SeattleGirl]

17. Thanks, lady.

I know I'm not the only one, but I guess it was my turn to need to cry on DU's shoulder.

[BarenakedLady]

19. Yes

For the first time in a long time, we are dealing with money issues. It's living from paycheck to paycheck at the moment. Not a good feeling at all.

[lizziegrace]

20. Awww sweetie

It does seem that when you have little or no money, you're treated like nothing. I've lived it. Most of us here have.

I hope things get better soon. Very soon.

[SeattleGirl]

24. Well, the car thing just got a lot better.

I just got a call from my mom. She is overnighting the money to me to get my car back. I had cashed out my 401k from my last job but don't have the check yet. I can pay her back when that check gets here, but in the meantime, I won't lose my car.

I love my mom.

And thanks, lizzie. I was not raised to treat people who have less than I do as BEING less. I just don't understand that.

[lizziegrace]

29. My parents saved me this year

without them, I'd be homeless.

[SeattleGirl]

34. I remember that, lizzie.

I was so happy that you were able to stay in your home.

[Shakespeare]

40. Yay, mom!

My parents have been known to help me out of a jam once in awhile, too. Thank god for family.



I hope things get better for you--I've gone through my share of shit over the last two years, so you have my complete empathy and understanding. You strike me as being a strong person--you'll be fine, even if it doesn't feel like it now. In the meantime, all the assholes can just get bent.

[SeattleGirl]

42. Yay mom, indeed!

Thanks, Shakespeare.

[buddhamama]

21. how terrible,

i am sorry for the difficulties you are having, and jerkies don't help. i will light a stick of incense and send good vibes your way. I wish i could more.

[SeattleGirl]

25. Thanks, buddhamama

Good vibes are always welcome.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

22. Sometimes, there are no lessons to be learned.

Sometimes, people just suck. There is no better way to put that.

I'm so sorry this is happening to you.

[SeattleGirl]

27. Thanks, Vash.

[MissB]

28. I'm sorry.

Can't you request that the collections asshole not call you again?

[SeattleGirl]

33. It's an attorney asshole, not a collections asshole.

I finally just told him I would not continue the conversation because he was getting so nasty. Thought I was lying, etc.

People can only do what they can do. Treating them badly won't suddenly make them rich. Hell, if that were true, I'd go hunting with Dick Cheney, and end up a millionaire.

Thank you, missb.

[Guava Jelly]

30. Oh SeattleSexy I'm so sorry

I wish i could flip a switch and wake your troubles go away
And yes people can be assholes.

[SeattleGirl]

36. Thanks, my friend.

My mom just called, and is helping me to get my car back. Doesn't take care of all the problems, but it does help with the biggest one.

[idgiehkt]

31. I'm so sorry, SG

I really am. I hope things get better for you soon. I remember watching a special on debt collectors and they were interviewing a guy who used to be a collection agent and quit because he brought his kid to work one day and after getting off the phone with a customer he was trying to collect on, his kid wouldn't let him touch him. He was so rude and hateful to the person he scared his own child. The man started crying when he was telling that story. They'll get their karma, I'm afraid.

[SeattleGirl]

37. Wow, that could certainly wake a person up to their behavior.

That poor kid. I'm glad the guy got out of there. Hopefully his kid is hugging him again.

[Missy Vixen]

77. We must have seen the same special

>He was so rude and hateful to the person he scared his own child.<

My favorite part was the guy who would call, get someone's young child on the phone, and tell them to write his name and number on a wall in the house or the apartment with lipstick, Magic Marker or whatever they could get their hands on.

I hope some of these folks get even a fraction of the misery in their own lives that they dish out to others.

Julie

[SeattleGirl]

85. Amen, Julie.

It may not be "Instant Karma", but I think their behavior will eventually catch up to them.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. My dear SeattleGirl.........

Aw, sweetie........

Unfreakingbelievable........I do think that some people do get their jollies by doing that to people who can't stop them.......

Remember......Power corrupts......

Thank God for folks like your mom, God bless her!

Hope it gets a whole lot better very soon!

[SeattleGirl]

38. Aw, darlin' Peggy.

Thank you.

And yes, thank God for my mom.

[speedoo]

39. Damn, SG, I had no idea.

I'm so sorry.

But things seem to be getting better for you, so that makes me less sad.

Unfortunately, people like that attorney are hired specifically to scare people into coming up with cash ASAP. That's what our economy has turned into... the strong taking advantage of the weak. And I don't see it changing.

I guess the only lesson from it is... we have to protect ourselves from the bastards.

[SeattleGirl]

44. Things are getting better, but not fast enough to keep the

assholes away. Well, thanks to my mom, I don't have to worry about my car being auctioned off. As to the asshole attorney, I told him that all I could do was what I could do, which right now is nothing. And he could go ahead and do whatever he wanted to do. Period.

[Tyo]

41. It's amazing how that works, isn't it?

You are treated differently depending on your income, your job, and how much money you have (or are perceived as having).

Only consolation I can offer is that people who tend to equate your worth as a person with the size of your bank account tend to be a-holes who suck up to people that they see as superiors and kick and abuse anyone they see as being below them.

For what it's worth, my partner just got laid off in a downsizing. We're kind of okay for now, but we can't survive on one income forever. It sucks. Hope things get better for you soon

[SeattleGirl]

46. Oh, Tyo. I hope your partner gets a new job very soon.

I'm glad their won't be an immediate pinch for you, but yeah, it's hard to survive on one income for a long time, if you are used to having two.

[Broken_Hero]

43. I'm so, sorry....:(

It must be a living nightmare for you right now...I wish I could help you out, but my funds are...pretty damn low...I hope you can pull yourself out of this nightmare...

[SeattleGirl]

47. Mom is helping to pull me out.

Still a ways to go, but at least I'll have my car back.

And thanks, petersond. Lots of people are having a hard time financially right now. If I had a wish for the new year, it's that everyone who is having a difficult time start having a much better and easier time of it.

[Broken_Hero]

51. True, I'm just biding my time

until tax time....its not that we are financially screwn...our father/mother in law have been having trouble keeping up on their bills, and we have been helping them out, a lot. I'm to the point now, where I think I might have to manage their bills, as well as our own. My father in law is not good with money in the least bit..if he has it, he spends it on whatever. My mother in law is very good with money, but she is not doing so hot mentally/physically...

She has miny strokes, which we don't know what from...she is a diabetic, and she shoots herself with an insulin shot once a day in her stomach, but there are times, where she loses track of time, and forgets to pay things...thats whats biting them in the ass right now. They have been late on all their bills, for the past two months, and my wife and I are starting to see a pattern...we both want to help them with their bills, but unless my wife or I take control of their bill situation, its only going to get worse...and heaven forbid all the extra fee's that pile on when you are late for a payment....its not like they don't have the money to cover it, its that they are not paying them on time....

I don't know how to approach my inlaws with the notion, that havign my wife or myself(more than likely) take over that aspect...personally, I would take it hard to realize that I can no longer take care of myself, without some help...its a pride thing I believe. But, its something that we need to approach them with...otherwise, its only going to get worse...

[SeattleGirl]

52. That's wonderful that you are helping your in-laws.

And yes, I know it may be difficult to approach them about it, but it will get worse if you don't, based on what you said. Maybe you could initially approach them, and outright say that you noticed that they had fallen behind on payments (or been late with payments) over the past couple of months, so you (and/or your wife) want to sit down with them once or twice a month -- depending on when their bills come in, and just help out to make sure that everything gets paid. They might be receptive to that initially, and then, if you eventually had to completely take over, it wouldn't be quite so difficult.

You're a good egg, petersond.

[Broken_Hero]

55. Thats what we plan on doing, this saturday...

I think/believe they trust us enough to help out, what got me was that they never asked for the help before hand, and we would go over to visit(we just moved them next door to us in July), and I would see bill failure notifications, and thats what got my eye up in the first place.

My father in law won't be a problem, I believe...we are pretty good friends actually, but in that relationship the mom wears the pants...so we have to convince her, and she is a very proud women, so it might be a hard shell to crack, but I'm good at cracking things....

And thanks for your kind words...I think I'm a halfway decent egg....

[In_The_Wind]

45. I'm truly sorry that you're having problems.

[SeattleGirl]

48. Joani, baby!

Thank you so much. I hope you are well, my friend.

[In_The_Wind]

53. My health is giving me fits at the moment but it'll improve.

My complaints are small annoyances compared to yours. I'm glad your Mom was able to help you out! Are things looking better now that you've changed jobs and now you'll be getting your car back?

[SeattleGirl]

54. Hope you get to feeling better very soon, Joani.

My work load is gradually picking up, but I'm still not up to full-time yet. It will definitely be better when I get my car back, though. While I work from home, I have to get out to meet with clients, doctors, attorneys, etc. Taking the bus really isn't an option, as I work by the billable hour, and Labor & Industries is not going to want to pay me for riding a bus to an appointment that I could drive to in less than half the time.

And Joani, TOO!!!

[Whoa_Nelly]

49. So sorry, SG

I have no idea why people are rude no matter what, and especially when they approach someone in a financial crisis as if the person is a deadbeat bum.

All I know is that you are a great person, and if I had the extra money, would send you some in a heartbeat.

[SeattleGirl]

50. Thanks, Nelly.

Maybe they are rude because they don't value themselves or something.

Thanks for your kind thoughts.

[Sequoia]

56. I'm so sorry SeattleGirl.

Can you make a deal with the credit card company? Why is an attorney calling you and not one of those other type callers who are paid to do this, although I'm sure you don't know. Soon after 911 I couldn't get a job anywhere and my credit cards were terrible so I called tham and said I couldn't pay anything at all because I was out of work. Of course, I had to pay them something in the end and my credit was ruined for a while because of it. Do have family members who can help you, can you call in favors? That lawyer loves to make calls like that, the worm. I'll say a prayer for you that money will come your way. If we all think hard here (pray I guess) on DU something good will happen...it does work.

[SeattleGirl]

58. Thanks, Sequoia

Actually, as I noted above, my mom is advancing me the money to get my car out of repo, so that's going to help a lot.

As far as the credit card goes, I told the attorney that I could pay something in January, maybe before that, but I didn't want to promise if I wasn't sure. That wasn't "good enough" and "obviously you have OTHER priorities", blah blah blah. I said yes, my #1 priority was getting my car back, because even though I work form home, I still have to go out on appointments. I can only do what I can do, given any money I might have at any given time. If that's not good enough for him, then it's not. Nothing I can do about that.

And thanks for the positive thoughts. I believe that if a number of people focus on something, or think positively about something, it will work out. We don't always know how it will, but it will.

[Sequoia]

59. Good for your mom.

I didn't see that before I posted. Next time that twit calls hang up on him, you'll feel better.

[SeattleGirl]

60. Hehe.

I probably will.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

61. I'm so glad your mom is helping out...

Sorry about the credit card asshole, though.
I'm sending good vibes and a cyberbrew your way, hon...
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~>

[SeattleGirl]

62. Thanks, Goddess.

They cyberbrew is just the ticket!

[bullwinkle428]

63. Collection agents are the LOWEST FORM OF LIFE OUT THERE!!!

I was making payments to an agency in order to pay off medical bills my ex-wife had racked up while we were married, and was being hassled by one of these pricks AT WORK, who apparently didn't think I was paying it off fast enough. I'm 42, and this is the ONLY TIME I've ever told someone on the phone to fuck off, and hung up on him! I guess he probably ended up feeling satisfied over the fact that I did pay off the debt soon after, JUST AS I HAD BEEN PLANNING, but was completely disgusted with his tone and reached a breaking point...it's criminal what they let these assholes get away with. I'm really sorry you're having to go through this, SG...

[SeattleGirl]

65. I'm too nice to be able to work as a collections agent.

They are so freakin' nasty most of the time.

Thanks, bullwinkle.

[EnviroBat]

67. Absolutely,,, the lowest form of life on the planet..

You have to really be a sadistic asshole to want to work a job where you hide behind a phone and harass people all day. Any collectors out there reading this, "fuck off and get a real job". I have 0 respect for people in this industry, but they will be quick to tell you that it's necessary. Necessary for who? the credit card companies, and the student loan harassment machine? I'd scrub toilets in a truck stop before I'd lower myself to work for a collection agency. I've had serious battles with these little pricks before. Funny how tough and demanding they are behind a phone, but they'd never offer to meet you in person. Whenever one gets shitty with me, that's what I tell them, "How about if we arrange for me to deliver this payment to you in person?" Not so tough now are you phone monkey?

[SeattleGirl]

68. That's right, EnviroBat.

So easy to be nasty when you aren't face-to-face with someone.

[EnviroBat]

69. Hang in there kid...

I know it's rough, but you need to go on living and pursuing happiness, and don't let the maggots get you down. They eventually disappear like a fart in the wind...

Peace

[SeattleGirl]

73. Hanging on, hanging in, that's for sure.

Now, if I could just find my magic wand, I could make the assholes disappear even faster.

[Missy Vixen]

78. Ever been inside a collection agency?

>Not so tough now are you phone monkey?<

I had to pay an old bill for DH several years ago. I noticed that there was bulletproof glass in front of their receptionist's desk.

Julie

[BreweryYardRat]

64. Because people SUCK.

[SeattleGirl]

66. Some people, anyway.

But not you....

[hfojvt]

70. that guy was doing it because he has a job to do

Perhaps he is under alot of pressure to get results too. He has to try to find magic (or cruelly powerful) words that will make people come up with some money - fast. Goto the pawn shop, sell your car, get a title loan, sell plasma, do something, to get some money. That is what he is looking for (not my advice).

Whether you are down or not, people still have to get their rent and their payments due. Otherwise they won't be able to make their own payments. I, OTOH, carried my tenants for months, and feel like an idiot. I lost a ton of money on that property. I could have used the $1200 in rent that I was shorted. Then his punk friends broke in to get their stuff after they were gone. That's the thanks I get for not hauling their junk they left behind to the dump.

I hope you get back on your feet. Glad to hear your car is not lost.

[SeattleGirl]

72. I don't disagree, hfojvt.

And I'm not trying to deny that I have a responsibility to pay the bill, but it's hard to do when there isn't enough money to go around. Rent and utilities get paid first, because they are the basics.

I just think that intimidating and demeaning people is the wrong way to go about it. Maybe it works with some people, but it doesn't for those of us who can't pull a rabbit (or $600) out of our hats.

Seems to me it would be better all around if companies would work WITH people instead of AGAINST them. Like, if a person's income goes down, lower the payments. The person can show that their income has gone down by presenting paystubs, or if they got laid off, thei unemployment check stubs. Or whatever. Then, when the person gets in a better spot, the payments can increase then. That way, the company/creditor continues to get payments, and the person gets to stay out of mental debtor's prison.

Hmmm, maybe I should run things. I guarantee there'd be fewer people walking around in financial stress overload.

[deadparrot]

71. I'm sorry, SG.

Hoping that things get better.

[SeattleGirl]

74. They already are.

Thanks, parrot.

[Missy Vixen]

75. Where is this guy licensed, SeattleGirl?

>Today, I got a call from an attorney, in connection with a credit card I had fallen behind on<

Just out of idle curiosity, what state is he licensed in? If you can find out his bar license number, it's worth looking him up. I believe he has to divulge the information if asked. I also believe that if he collects more than one debt per year, he's actually a collector instead. When dinosaurs roamed the earth, I fell behind on student loan payments. A guy called representing himself as an attorney who was NOT, and didn't think I'd have the balls or the smarts to check him out.

I did. He got in quite a bit of trouble with the State of California by the time I was done with him.

It may be worth verifying. Anyone can call themselves a collections agency now; there is no licensing, and the tactics are getting worse and worse as a result.
Julie

[SeattleGirl]

76. Washington. At least he says he was calling from Seattle.

Said he had sent me a letter, but I said I had not received it. Was rather evasive about what specific bill he was calling on. I had to flat out ask him. Jerk acted like the bill he says he's handling is the only one I have to pay. Right, I live in my house for free, my lights, phone, internet, etc, are free of charge. Sheesh.

[Missy Vixen]

79. He has to provide you with a copy of the bill

He has to tell you who the creditor is. He has to provide you proof that you actually incurred the bill as well. According to the Fair Debt Practices Act, there are several laws these people are bound by. If you haven't received the letter as of yet, that's pretty damn interesting all by itself.

If you really want to mess up his day, seriously: Call the Bar Association and ask for his license number. If you can get it, (and there is one,) file a complaint. If there is not one, pass Go, collect your $200, and call the Attorney General's office. They'll tell you how to file a consumer complaint, and they'll also be quite interested that he's representing himself as an attorney without actually being one.

Julie

[SeattleGirl]

82. I do know who the creditor is.

And you know, once I stopped boo-hooing and stuff, I had a chance to think about it more. The first guy I talked to said he was an attorney; the SECOND guy (the really nasty one), told me at the end of the conversation that HE was not an attorney. Yet the first guy said he was passing me over to his supervisor. Now, what law firm would have a non-attorney "supervise" an attorney? None that I know of. So, that makes me think that Guy #1 is ALSO not an attorney.

Wait'll the SOB calls back. I will demand the license # for Guy #1, and if he is NOT an attorney, I will file a complaint with the Washington State Bar Association.

[Missy Vixen]

86. Did the guy give you his name?

If he did, go ahead and look him up. I think you've hit the jackpot here. I think they're counting on the idea that anyone dealing with them would be much too scared to ask for the information.

I'm looking forward to the vengeance you will wreak on a bunch that desperately deserves it.

Julie

[SeattleGirl]

92. He did give me his name, but I can't remember what it is.

However, as you rightly pointed out, they have to provide the information to me in writing, so I will see whose name is on the letter.

[Darth_Kitten]

80. They are insecure f@#$@rs

don't cry, yes, people can be rude, cruel and stupid.

Bad things happen to good people, if they can't understand that, then pity them for being empty human beings.

big hug here. Now stop crying.

[SeattleGirl]

83. Thanks Darth. *sniff*

[Gormy Cuss]

81. People don't have to be assholes. They choose to be.

Remember that when you have to deal with assholes. You're a better person because you choose not to be one.

Sorry you are having financial struggles.

[SeattleGirl]

84. I was nice to this jerk, in a professional way.

I never raised my voice to him, never was sarcastic, etc. He just kept getting worse, and so I finally told him that I was going to hang up the phone. And I did. Didn't slam it down; just hung up.

[Gormy Cuss]

87. That's how I treat them.

Probably the best skill that I acquired in the corporate world was how to be professional to jerks. Of course, in my own home I would choose to let loose a string of epithets after the phone call ended. What I meant by remembering that it's a choice is that the person on the other end of the line got up this morning and chose to be hurtful -- what kind of person enjoys that? An asshole.
There really is no need to start from the position of treating people badly in order to collect a debt. All that does is piss off all parties.

[SeattleGirl]

88. I agree, Gormy

These people seem to think that everyone who falls behind in their bills is a do-nothing lazy bum who spends all their money on booze and ciggies, and never gets dressed. They can't deal with thinking that good, decent, hardworking people can and do fall behind in their bills for various and sundry reasons that have NOTHING to do with being lazy bums.

[China_cat]

89. Think about this,

the person on the phone TOLD you he was a lawyer. I can get on the phone and tell you anything. It doesn't have to be the truth. Most likely he's part of a phone bank and gets paid a commission on the amount of cash he can scare out of people.

Next time he calls (and I can guarantee there will be a next time) tell him that you will be glad to work with him but first you must have verification of the debt...itemized, in writing and from the original vendor. (It's the law, they HAVE to give it to you) Then you tell him to put everything else in writing, that you will not deal with anyone over the phone.

And the only time to get worried is if you get a registered or certified letter telling you of a court date. Even then, if you show up and they haven't verified the debt, you'll be sent home with no action against you.

My husband was out of work for 2 years. I'm unable to work. You can imagine what that did to our credit rating. We were able to keep the house and the car payments but that was about it. I've had people bugging us for payment and asking for verification has worked in all but 2 cases and those 2 simply deferred us until we could get an income again. Were very nice about it, too.

But you do not have to put up with harassment.

[SeattleGirl]

91. I will definitely demand that information in writing.

According to Guy #1 that I talked to, they have already sent me a letter. Well, I pick up the mail every day, and have not received any such letter. If I don't have it the next time they call, I'll do just what you suggested.

BTW, I have a cold, so wasn't on my best game today.

[China_cat]

94. Even when you are on your best game

these kinds of calls can tie you in knots. I know. But I learned very well...put it in writing so that there can be no mistaking what was said on each side. Not in writing? The law (Fair Credit Reporting Act) says you must supply me with verification of the debt before you can take action. And they have to make sure that you get it. Which could mean a registered letter with the info so don't immediately freak out if you get one.

If you really want to do a number on him, at the first point you can get a word in edgwise tell him you are recording all calls so that you are not prone to 'misremembering' what was said on either side. Watch him be very nice to you.

[SeattleGirl]

96. Now where'd I put that tape recorder?

[RetroLounge]

90. I'm sorry SG, you don't deserve this...

and now thanks to outsourcing, I get rude calls from other countries...

Yeah, sure your name is James...

RL

[SeattleGirl]

93. Yeah, outsourcing.

And some people wonder why others have such a hard time getting a job.

I think if I didn't have a cold, I wouldn't have gotten so upset.

[RetroLounge]

97. JC Penney called me months back when I was a few days

late on a payment.

My cell phone came up ANONYMOUS for the number.

I wouldn't talk to "james" until he told me where he was calling from. Finally told me India.

I called JC Penney here and asked them why they think they are such an all-american store if they shut down their US call centers and outaourced them overseas.

They wouldn't answer me...

Never spending another cent there...

RL

[SeattleGirl]

99. "Anonymous". I hate that.

If they want money out of us, they should be required to have their phone number show up on caller ID or the cell-phone screen. They should not be allowed to hide.

I didn't realize that Penney's had also outsourced their call centers. I love it that you asked them why they did that (though not the fact that they wouldn't answer you).

[SammyWinstonJack]

95. I thought phone harassment from creditors was illegal? Aren't they only

allowed to contact you by mail? And rude, condescending, snide, mean jerks are plentiful, these days. Thank you George! I hope it all works out for you!

[SeattleGirl]

98. No, they can call you.

Thanks for the hug, Blue.

[Rosco T.]

100. SeattleGirl! Read and follow this IMMEDIATELY

http://www.bendover.com/cdletter.asp

It DOES work. It's LEGAL and it's EFFECTIVE.

[SeattleGirl]

101. Wow. Thanks, Rosco.

[u4ic]

102. I'm so sorry, hon

[SeattleGirl]

104. Thanks.

[Maestro]

103. Sorry this is happening right now.

I am glad that your mom was able to help you. Mine have been known to help me out and they said only that I do the same for my kids one day which I will. I hope work picks up quickly for you.

[SeattleGirl]

105. Thank you, Maestro.