collection agency rant

[lotsofmiles]

I've had accounts turned in to a collection agency for 3 years trying to get the peolpe to pay me.

called the collection agency in Dec to tell them I was going to cancel my account if they couldn't get any of my accounts collected. they said they'd get on it.

in April called again and told them I havent even gotten a call from anyone that owes me and I wanted to close my account and get a refund of the fees paid just as they guaranteed. they said no problem just send it in writing.

called today and was told to F off, multiple times, they werent going to issue a refund, i should send them more people to collect on, i shouldn't be wasting my time on the phone with them, my wife must be an A.H, and on and on and on.....

I've never heard so many insults and vulgarities in my life.....

Wow, I cant believe the phone call went like that.


so if anyone wants to know a collection agency not to use....

can i post it public??


sorry for the rant...

 

[clayt171]

Are they local? Sounds like its time for a face to face.

 

[ripmf666]

I would be pissed to no end,I would have another collection agency contact them for your refund. I dont see why you could not post the name.

 

[lotsofmiles]

Avoid:


Creditors' Alliance Inc
Computer Center and Business Office
POBOX 1288
Bloomington, IL 61702-1288

Regional Office
POBOX 242
Oak Creek , WI 53154-0242

Also have a address of
18630 Pauls Way South Bend IN 46637

They have been nothing but a waste of my time for 3 years.

Dont know how they are set up, but they said the 'owner' would call me back. He was the one that went off on me on the phone today.


I paid them about $525 flat rate for 10 accounts, 3 years ago. At this point it isnt worth the time and irritation to continue to do business with them.

In April they said they would refund my fees, but today he said he wouldnt. It is there call if they want to refund your money or give you additional accounts they will collect on for free. So they got my $500, maybe I can save someone else the headache.

Maybe they run their other offices different. I have a hard time believing it was the owner of the entire company that called back and started off by telling me to f off he didnt have to do anything for me.

 

[ripmf666]

I would want my money back or court three time the amount you paid.

 

[malibu795]

had one call me..

said an agressive investor had bought my note form compusa (wnet bankrupt in 07) and want ths money.. will let me do a balance transfer but can not relase a place to sent a MO/cashiers check to nor the person who has the note..
they also wanted my bank info as well..

told them to push dirt till they had a legit place to send money.

this thing screamef fraud all over it.

 

[jraymer]

Report them to the better business bureau at least. That would be great getting another collection agency to collect from this one haha.

 

[MMLMM]

throw a rock thru all there store front windows. at least a hard working window guy can get paid for actually doing work. seeing as you prolly wont see your money again...

 

[McRat]

Many collection agencies and consumer debt repair companies are frauds. They work the market until they get in trouble, then change names and address, then re-open.

You can usually tell they are, if they want all the money up front. At that point, they have their money, and have no reason to spend more time on that account. It would be less profitable for them if they spend any time past that point.

 

[mde]

Next time ask for 50-75% down payment before working or selling them!!! At least you don't loose as much!!!

 

[duramaximizer]

We started doing that. Our jobs are bigger though. We do 25% down, another 25% at the 1/2 way point of the project and the rest upon completion and satisfaction of the job. That way if you get 1/2 done and if they don't pay, (in excavation) they get one hell of a mess. Ever seen a 1/2 dug pond, a tile 1/2 installed to a wet hole, or an old barn 1/2 burried? :rofl: If we don't have 1/2 the money by the 1/2 way point of the project, the equipment doesn't move. 99% of the time they find the money in a hurry.

 

[maine04max]

Lotsofmiles what kind of work did you do for the people who owe you money? Most of the jobs I do I require 1/3rd down when signing a contract then 1/3rd when work starts and final 1/3rd after completed and satisfied customer .Any time someone starts in about "I dont have the money" BS , I follow with the whole Lien deal

 

[lotsofmiles]

I'm in a very small town. everyone knows everyone and word of mouth referals are always my biggest sourceof income.

I mainly do carpet cleaning. a lot of times I get a call, hey the house is unlocked/open for you, do these rooms and lock the door on your way out - we'll mail you a check (or leave you the check) etc..... 99.9 percent of the time all is good. I just think i start demanding instant payment at the time of services and people think if you dont trust me to pay you why should i trust you with my home.....

so 4 of the 5 accounts I turn over to the collection agency are just that. routine carpet cleaning, 1 of those 4 was a bad check I've taken thru the entire court process and even have a bench warrent out for the guy (and I'm not the only one after him)

The 5th account really ticks me off. it is a friend of the family had a flood in their finished basement while the house was empty and a buyer with a contract. I removed the water dried the basement, cleaned it all, a week long ordeal. the new owner should up just as I was loading my equipment, just before closing. They sold the house for $250,000 more than their next house cost them and they stiffed me on an $1800 bill..... nice.

 

[Fingers]

A good collection agency buys your bad accounts off you for a percent of what is owed. That also gives you a measure of how difficult the collection will be if you wanted to go it yourself. NEVER pay someone to collect your money for you ahead of time.

But really, your first line of defense is to be willing to run down your money yourself. There is nothing in this world I hate more in business than collecting money. So if I show up at your doorstep, I am already in a real bad mood, and it shows. BUT I always go into a deal prepared to chase the money in the first place.

Trust your instincts and use some common sense. Someone you see every day, and will continue to see, is probably going to pay. Make sure by saying hello frequently. If the customer has any chance of being scarce, do due diligence and get paid up front or at least right before you leave the site.

Lastly, if you are going to get help, legal or otherwise, it is going to cost you at least 50% of the original bill. Especially for small claims such as you deal with. So it frequently is better to "undo" your work rather than pursue the money. Word of how you deal with non-payers will not adversely impact your business. In fact, it will help in the long run.

 

[ripmf666]

A good collection agency buys your bad accounts off you for a percent of what is owed. That also gives you a measure of how difficult the collection will be if you wanted to go it yourself. NEVER pay someone to collect your money for you ahead of time.

But really, your first line of defense is to be willing to run down your money yourself. There is nothing in this world I hate more in business than collecting money. So if I show up at your doorstep, I am already in a real bad mood, and it shows. BUT I always go into a deal prepared to chase the money in the first place.

Trust your instincts and use some common sense. Someone you see every day, and will continue to see, is probably going to pay. Make sure by saying hello frequently. If the customer has any chance of being scarce, do due diligence and get paid up front or at least right before you leave the site.

Lastly, if you are going to get help, legal or otherwise, it is going to cost you at least 50% of the original bill. Especially for small claims such as you deal with. So it frequently is better to "undo" your work rather than pursue the money. Word of how you deal with non-payers will not adversely impact your business. In fact, it will help in the long run.

Jon I like your way of thinking, Just open up there door or window and return what you cleaned up for them lol

 

[speedmetal6.6]

My wife works for a decent size collection agency, she's a sales account mngr . She said that they have to abide by federal regulations when dealing with people and even talking to them over the phone. This company or atleast the people whom you are dealing with are out of line and out of compliance. I would turn them in to the better business bureau or find out who is in charge and make a formal complaint. I would be "livid"! especially after some douche ran his mouth at me and talked sh*t about my wife.I hope for the best, but even if you don't get your money back I would find how to nail them the best I could( legally ofcourse)