I have been receiving numerous comments and questions regarding my previous posts on Credit Card Woes. Some of them I replied to, some I left out to the readers to find out for themselves, given time. What I've noticed though; some questions can be answered by the questioner if he simply reads the entire Credit Card Woes series thoroughly, especially my replies to some of the readers' queries right below the article.
To all those who sent questions dated way back like 2006 and 2007, if you're reading this, then you probably know the answer to your question already.
Maybe you still have credit card debt, still can't pay, or you're slowly paying up. But definitely, you ain't in jail, and you're probably in some internet cafe sipping ice coffee or maybe at home in front of your pc. If this is not the case, and you're wearing an orange pajama and shirt with a big P on the back, then by all means, TELL US WHAT THE HELL HAPPENED!?!
Anyway, I felt the need to sum this series up as I probably can't answer all your questions. So I leave you with 4 points to remember when you feel the pinch, so you could function again, and live your one life out of that hole which circumstance, or you, have dug yourself into.
1.) Relax - hard to do if you're way down deep in credit card debt, but very important. It may be small comfort to know that tens of thousands of Filipinos are in the same boat as you are. Knowing that millions die of cancer each year does not make it any less stressful if you have it. Still, it does no good if you dwell on it. There are better things to do.
2.) Pay When Able - don't pay if it means selling your last pair of shoes, and ignore all demands asking you to do so. Pay when you're ready to pay. But don't be so eager that you go seek them out and sign the first promissory note from some lawyer office you see. Wait it out. The best deal and the opportunity to pay will present itself to you sooner or later.
3.) Move On - yes you can get that NBI clearance, you can open that bank account, you can get a passport, go anywhere you like, or apply for a job abroad. No one can take your right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness because of credit card debt. Besides, how would you be able to pay if they stop you from living your life?
4.) Stop The Cycle - got a shiny and flashy new card but still have debt? Don't even think about it.
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Related: Credit Card Woes - The Call, The Letter, The Visit
Next Post - GMA Ouster - One Missed Call
Showing posts with label phone. Show all posts
Showing posts with label phone. Show all posts
Thursday, March 27, 2008
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Tuesday, April 11, 2006
Credit Card Woes - The Call
So now after a couple of years in Just-swipe-it Heaven, you find yourself in Barely-scraped-through-minimum-payment Purgatory heading towards Tell-them-I’m-not-here Hell!
For those of you who are inevitably plummeting down credit card debt hell, let me soften-up your landing a bit. And for those already wailing and gnashing their teeth from debt heat, let me ease your suffering a bit with a bucket of ice water.
That’s right folks, there is hope and respite from your credit card woes. But no, I’m not gonna help you pay. All I’m going to do is enlighten you a bit with regards to your situation.
Pop Quiz: You’re receiving maddening calls from seemingly very angry people calling you names, looking for you wherever you are, asking you to pay up.
What to do hotshot: Take the call if you can’t avoid it. Relax, take a deep breath, and sit down comfortably. Answer with a simple yes or no. No need to explain yourself, they’re not there to listen to you whine, they just want your money.
Now most of them will come on to you like mafia dons, shaming you with your inability to pay, threatening that they’re coming to get you and that slab of flesh from your behind.
Well, that’s what they think!
When that guy on the phone starts to raise his voice, just tell him this: "Mister, stop play-acting. I don’t owe you any money, you’re just a poor employee collector agent whatever, so don’t act as if it’s your money I owe."
Now that he has realized you’ve caught him in his act - (yup, that’s all it is, just an act, so relax!) -he can’t possibly get on with it anymore. Whatever he says afterwards will sound flat to you and to him too, like you’re hearing an old joke. Besides, he can’t really be mad, he’ll probably get a commission when he collects from you.
Some of these credit card collectors may try to harass and put you in embarassing situations and even if you're able to put them in their place, you find that the damage has already been done. Well, just grin and bear it, but I'll tell you this: It's just a phase. It will pass.
But what if the caller sounds like an angel from up high? Gently reminding you that you need to pay up or else...
He’s playing the good cop act then so just ignore the ‘or else’ stuff too. But this would be a good time to work-up a deal, just make sure it’s on your terms. Tell him how much you can comfortably pay in a month. If he relents, fine, but if not, you can go hang-up that phone. Don’t worry, he’ll call back. And be it good cop or bad cop, you’re gonna be ready.
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Related: The Letter, The Visit, Conclusion
Next… THE LETTER
For those of you who are inevitably plummeting down credit card debt hell, let me soften-up your landing a bit. And for those already wailing and gnashing their teeth from debt heat, let me ease your suffering a bit with a bucket of ice water.
That’s right folks, there is hope and respite from your credit card woes. But no, I’m not gonna help you pay. All I’m going to do is enlighten you a bit with regards to your situation.
Pop Quiz: You’re receiving maddening calls from seemingly very angry people calling you names, looking for you wherever you are, asking you to pay up.
What to do hotshot: Take the call if you can’t avoid it. Relax, take a deep breath, and sit down comfortably. Answer with a simple yes or no. No need to explain yourself, they’re not there to listen to you whine, they just want your money.
Now most of them will come on to you like mafia dons, shaming you with your inability to pay, threatening that they’re coming to get you and that slab of flesh from your behind.
Well, that’s what they think!
When that guy on the phone starts to raise his voice, just tell him this: "Mister, stop play-acting. I don’t owe you any money, you’re just a poor employee collector agent whatever, so don’t act as if it’s your money I owe."
Now that he has realized you’ve caught him in his act - (yup, that’s all it is, just an act, so relax!) -he can’t possibly get on with it anymore. Whatever he says afterwards will sound flat to you and to him too, like you’re hearing an old joke. Besides, he can’t really be mad, he’ll probably get a commission when he collects from you.
Some of these credit card collectors may try to harass and put you in embarassing situations and even if you're able to put them in their place, you find that the damage has already been done. Well, just grin and bear it, but I'll tell you this: It's just a phase. It will pass.
But what if the caller sounds like an angel from up high? Gently reminding you that you need to pay up or else...
He’s playing the good cop act then so just ignore the ‘or else’ stuff too. But this would be a good time to work-up a deal, just make sure it’s on your terms. Tell him how much you can comfortably pay in a month. If he relents, fine, but if not, you can go hang-up that phone. Don’t worry, he’ll call back. And be it good cop or bad cop, you’re gonna be ready.
----------
Related: The Letter, The Visit, Conclusion
Next… THE LETTER
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