Bloomingdale's - Rude Collection Agency

Posted by Slimjim on 2012-08-10:

Collectors are suppose to be rude and aggressive. They can't violate laws, however. If you believe they are collecting outside the boundaries of law, then usually the FTC is the protection bureau that tends to enforce these things. Best bet is to get a layer and sue them for it. They have to be in violation though. Don't waste a second writing to the BBB over this and even most state attorney offices don't seem to investigate collectors often.

Posted by littleshorty on 2012-08-10:

I used to work for Macy's in their collections department. I have no idea what barbaric tactics you are referring to, but there's little info here to go off on. The phone system works off an automatic dialer and if nobody answers when called, the dialer is set up to call them a few hours later. This is legal. But, if someone does answer, then they won't receive another call that day. The department was open and functional 7 days a week until 9 pm. The dialer would not call after 9 pm. This is also legal to call up to 9 pm (8 pm in Oregon), any day of the week. It is not illegal to call on Sunday. I am mentioning these points because people seemed to think it was illegal to be called multiple times a day, or get a call after 6 pm, or get a call on a Sunday. Again, not illegal and not in violation of the FDCPA. I do hope the OP comes back and clarifies. I would be happy to help further.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-08-10:

Slim, what do you mean, 'Collectors are supposed to be rude and aggressive.'...in all the collection agencies I've worked for and trained collectors in....not one of them had 'Rude and Aggressive' as a requirement in the job description.

Posted by littleshorty on 2012-08-10:

Basher, we weren't allowed to be rude or aggressive either. Our calls were monitored by management regularly to make sure we weren't being rude.

Posted by DebtorBasher on 2012-08-10:

Yeah...I was the Quality Assurance Supervisor at NCO and I was the one who trained and monitored the calls...no aggressiveness from our collectors...even it the tone of their voice started to change...I'd be onto them.

Posted by trmn8r on 2012-08-10:

Collectors are persistent, but I don't know about rude. Looking at my distinguished co-members' replies, rudeness is not a desirable quality in a bill collector.

Posted by leet60 on 2012-08-11:

I have experienced agressive and rude collectors on occasion. Overall, this has not been my experience. I think when most receive a call from a collector, they subconciously become defensive, as they know they owe the money, and likely don't have it. Rather than being defensive or potentially rude one should listen and negotiate. Most will work with you if you make an effort. The moment you become rude to them you set the call up for the potential to become difficult at best. It is human nature when being accosted to respond in kind.

Posted by samanthasmom on 2012-08-11:

I once dealt with the Macy's collections department after it took them 5 days to process a payment I made via their website, which made my account go past due. And they called me several times after I answered their call. This was 3 years ago though.