Creditors are not evil – despite what some financial industry experts say. These are companies that have risked their money to let consumers live a life beyond what their means would allow. Creditors may be annoying and greedy, but they are not necessarily evil.
Finding problems on your credit history means you will have to deal with your creditors. It doesn’t matter if you are handling the credit corrections yourself or if you have decided to hire an outside credit corrections specialist. The odds are good that at some point you will have to deal with creditors. If you can keep the idea in the back of your mind that credit is a business then it will make the encounter much easier to handle.
Some things to keep in mind when dealing with credit company employees.
They have already heard it – when the credit company calls your home they are prepared for every excuse that you can offer. It is likely that they have the majority of excuses offered and also responses for those excuses written out. There is nothing new under the sun.
They have been yelled at all day – there are few people that are cordial (little less nice) to the credit company employees. Most of them get yelled out, hung up on, or cursed out just for making the calls or for answering the ones that come in.
They can’t do anything – most of the people that man the call centers or that make collection calls have very little authority. It is usually best just to ask to speak with a supervisor from the beginning.
They don’t care – your problems are of little concern to most of the people that you will deal with in a credit company. Their jobs are based on the ability to get payments not to work through issues. They are collectors not counselors.
It is likely that you have been in the same place as many of the employees that are working at the credit companies. You are in a hurry and the older gentleman at the grocery store wants to tell you all his aches and pains or you are trying to get a check and the waitress just keeps on chatting. Many of us have little tolerance for the cares and concerns that don’t affect our own lives.
When you face credit companies with these thoughts in mind then you can turn the situation around. Be prepared for the confrontation, make your own script, and you will be on your way to turning a sore spot into a bright spot.
Smile
The conversation may be on the phone, but smiling can be heard through the line. It takes the tension out of your voice and makes your words more pleasant. It is also difficult to raise your voice when you are smiling.
Quiet
Get somewhere away from children, spouses, television, and other distractions. Keep all of your focus on the conversation. Listen to the person on the other end of the line and then respond to what is being said.
Formal
Stay professional when dealing with the credit companies. Sit down or stand up but don’t get too comfortable. Act like the person is in front of you instead of on the phone. Being professional will help you keep control of your words.
Write
Prepare of list of points that you want to cover before you have the conversation. Also keep a pencil or pen handy so that you can record the name of the person that you speak with, the time of the call, and the issues and response covered during the conversation.
No matter where you are in the credit correction process, you will probably have to deal with credit companies and their employees. Keep in mind the old adage about treating others the way you want to be treated and you can make the encounter go better for both ends of the conversation.
Next: Finding the Real Help