Have you ever been a debt collector? (Charlotte area) returned

  I was a collector for Citigroup for 2 years..at first it was like a dream come true to aquire such a job in a new building working for such a large comepany. I was placed in the HRG (high risk group) to collect on auto past due payments with sub-prime credit loans.

  As time progressed I began to hate it..the company for one was very nast (for a lack of better words) when it comes to collecting on these loans. I was told often to handle accounts with some authority and act as of (in so many words) as if it was my own money they owed me.

  On the other hand we were basically timed, rated for quality and scored on our calls throughout the month, which ultimately was the determining factor for eligibility for bonus which was a pretty good penny for the particular work. That bonus really was almost like bait for a money hungry collector's demise. It was like the more you strived to get those numbers looking good for the end of the month, the cut throat and rude you became to these established customers. I should add that some of these customers were sometimes sweet little old ladies who were talked into cosigning for their son's, daughter's, In-laws and sometimes for grandchildren who live in different states.

  It was like they just didn't care..we had a job to do..get this accout resolved or threaten to pick up the car or possibly have credit issues.

  I began to have a sense of empathy while to talking to some these people when trying to collect. Even at the begining of this economy clump we are now having I was really seeing myself in their shoes..I mean come on. How could I just holla and scream at a customer when they obviously took the time to answer the call I made trying to contact them, or how can I constantly call the references and neighbors inadvertantly letting them know I'm trying to reach the delinquent customer they didn't even know was delinquent?

  I was apart of something that had no compassion..compassion in which was instilled in me as a child by my parents..I couldn't be apart of that.

 

william staley

803.370.5006