Why are bill collectors such jerks?

Question

I hate collections calls. Is it really any skin off these people's teeth if I pay my bill or not? And what's with the rudeness and judgement, they don't know my financial situation. I just think they'd be more apt to get people to pay their bills if they were more understanding and sympathetic. You know what I mean?

I had a guy scream and cuss at me once, it was awful.

I am not a deadbeat. I wish I could pay my bills off as they come, but I can't. I pay what I can, even if it's five dollars a month. To the people who responded to the question rudely, I hope you have your rug pulled out from under you someday and maybe you'd be biting your tongue a little bit.

Answer 1

Stuart's answer really pisses me off! He's either a bill collector himself or he lives in Oz where everyone has a nice job, rides around on colored horses and has midgets singing all the time....that tends to make you a jerk.

Everyone who does not pay their bills are not deadbeats! In nearly all of the cases I've seen, people fall behind because of unforseen emergencies. Medical bills, loss of job, unforseen disasters like a house fire or storms. They want to pay their debts but can't.

Where I live, they just closed a couple of auto factories, and in others they are cutting their wages by 30-50%. That sudden lost of income has destroyed their budgets. Yet you want to call them deadbeats?

Hear this! The only reason bill collectors act they way they do is because YOU DON'T KNOW THE LAW! If you know what they are allowed to do or not do, you could put them in their place real quick.

Answer 2

Unfortunately there are those collectors that are rude & judgemental. But being formerly in a collections/billing position at the company I work for I can also understand how it is that some agents get to be that way. After a long 8 hour day of people screaming, yelling & blaming you.... then put that in a long work week... a month... ETC! I'm really glad I'm not in that position any longer, but I could write a book from all the excuses I would hear. Not only the excuses, but what would get me the most would be those people who would call in blaming the company, wether it was they didn't receive their bill, or their service would supposively not work correctly. Yet they would wait about 3 months to call in? Right when their service would be interrupted for non-payment? And they would yell & threaten to go to the competition? I felt like telling them "You know, they're also going to require a monthly payment from you."
I guess it works both ways... You get crazy customers & crazy agents, you'll get a variety cause they're all people, and people tend to have very different personalities. But I would say the general rule is "kill them with kindness"... It's VERY hard for someone to continue to be rude & mean to you, if you're being extremely nice right back to them. Next time the collectors call you, just try to remember that they're just doing their job & the previous call they just made was probably a rude customer so they're no in their best of moods right now, so imagine if you're extra nice to them? They're going to first be pleasantly surprised at your reaction & they'll be more than willing to answer all your questions & help you the best way & nicest way they can. :)

Answer 3

No, it's not skin off their teeth.

It's just money they've lost and now have to pay an extra employee and collection service to try and get back to compensate for their losses.

If they cared about every customer's financial situation they would not be in business.

How would you feel if someone you barely knew owed you a bunch of money and they didn't seem all that interested in paying it back?

By not paying your bills you are raising the rates for everyone.

Answer 4

Being a jerk gets attention. However, you must know that viewed from a different angle, you may consider them jerks. They are just doing their job. Sometimes, they must be stern and forceful, thereby coming off as being jerks. Also know that many of the customers they're trying to collect from are being bigger jerks.

They may not know your financial situation but they know enough that you are not paying your bills which you are contractually obligated to do.

Also, being nice doesn't get them anywhere. Everyone knows that nice people get taken advantage of. And yes, it is skin of their teeth if you don't pay your bill. Their job is to collect your money for bills you haven't paid. If they don't do their job and collect money, they get fired.

Also, bill collectors get paid bonuses (some have hourly wages or salaries as well). Just remember, they're doing their job. It's your duty to make sure you pay all of your bills. If you are unable to do so, it is also your duty to contact the company, inform them of your situation, and make arrangements. don't wait for them to call you!

Answer 5

They get paid to get you to pay your bills. They use pain and intimidation tactics. Here's a revelation, companies probably have success with this tactic. Some people are angered and refuse to pay because of the collectors attitude. Try t work out a payment plan of any amount to show your intent to pay some companies will work with as little as $10 a month. Ask and see what happens. Most people want to pay their debts they just can't. Hope everything works out.

Answer 6

Thats got to be the worst job out there. Calling peoples house's for money I couldnt emagine. I hate bill collectors they are relentless and they call at all the wrong times. Wish I was the type that payed my bills on time so I wouldnt have to deal!!!

Answer 7

Hello, I am a bill collector and I have never been called a jerk. I respect both you and the business that I am employed with. I listen to you and also try and work out something that best suits you and me. Have a good day. The happy bill collector.

Answer 8

Here is what you need to know. It is in your favor when a debt collector uses derogatory language or makes phone calls with intent to disrupt.

These actions are illegal and you can stop them in their tracks. Send this letter:


Name of collection agency
address

To whom it may concern.

After consulting with the Attorney General’s office and a private attorney, I have been advised to put you on notice.

In regards to CASE NUMBER: *******:


I contacted your office to resolve this matter and was treated to abusive language. As a direct result of my contact with your office, I was sent a letter by your office threatening legal action. I have also received numerous phone calls with intent to harass.

Under state collection agency laws (*******) and The Fair Debt Collections Act (15 USC 1692) your office is in violation.

I do not wish any further contact from your office.

Sincerely,


Your name
Address

You will never here from them again. If the debt is bogus, It will disappear from your reports.

As far as the collection account, go directly to the original creditor and make settlement arrangements (if you indeed owe the money). The settlement agreement allows you to negotiate for removal of negative information once the account is satisfied.

Refer to the book "Guaranteed Credit" by Arnold S. Goldstein for more sample letters.

Answer 9

Bill collectors or collection agents work on commission. When they don't collect your money straightaway, they get angry because they're losing their commission on you. If you say no straight off, after they've been nice for the first 5 seconds, they no longer see a point in being nice (or even cordial).

Answer 10

I'm probably not going to get 'best answer' on this one, but here goes:

Collectors are calling to get you to pay money you owe. If you're not capable of paying money you owe, you shouldn't borrow it in the first place.

And, it's a little bold of you to talk about someone who's calling to ask about money you owe when you are a deadbeat.

Finally, if you call over and over again, and keep hearing the same lies and sob stories, eventually, you become a jerk about it. I'm confident that, after your call, the collector asked his co-workers why deadbeats are so rude or mean or whatever.

It's a two way street.