Went kinda ballistic today

Today, a small loan rep called my husband's friend and loan reference to pass on the information that they (the loan company) expected a call from my husband. We were one day late on the loan we got.

This action is against the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, a Federal Law.

I called the loan company and started a polite conversation with same rep in which I explained her actions were against Federal Law. She gave me lip, indicating they could do anything they wanted.

In this state, corruption and illegality abound. In various situations, from workers comp to the Freedom of Information Act and everything in between, I have encountered stupidity and ignorance of legal obligations. I'm so sick of trying to reason with people or government agencies, and eventually ending up sicking the Attorney General or whatever applicable agency on them.

But today, after politeness could not overcome stupidity and ignorance, I lost it and ripped into this person, swearing, saying the f-word--just totally going down in flames.

I don't feel badly for her. I question my own inability to keep things together.

I had to get pro-active every once in a while living in a big city, but here, a person will encounter roadblocks all the time.

Average citizens ignore most everything, including drug dealers, child abuse, animal abuse, police and government corruption.
Kinda like the see-no-evil, hear-no-evil, say-no-evil monkeys, and they use fear of retribution as their excuse for inaction.

Although I know my behavior was inexcusable, who knows whether I'll go ballistic again. I can honestly say I hate it here.

caroline

Hi, caroline! I hate it when people think they can do anything they want and others just turn a blind eye too. I don't think your behavior was inexcusable, honestly, I'm kind of glad you did it lol. Of course it's wrong to verbally abuse people but it doesn't sound like that is what you did. Maybe that woman needed to see that she can't always get her way.

Thanks jasmine,

After a while, WHAM is what I feel like doing. It makes me wonder why people are not fully trained about the very important laws that govern their professions. But I know the answer: Employers rely on ignorance, stupidity and fear of consumers, and it works quite well.

After researching this company on the net, I discovered it's a tiny part of a huge corporation. I faxed all corporate officers, detailing the event, the Federal laws broken, and to whom I was going to report it.

Life goes on.............

I'm glad you stood up to them Caroline. It'd be nice if more people had the nerv to do it (myself included lol).

Good for you caroline. I admire and respect you having the smarts and the spine to stand up for what's right. Nothing wrong with having the courage of your convictions and acting upon them. It's just great and we all have days we need to vent.

Thanks guys!

I was thinking about a label for me. Maybe I'm an agoraphobic with an attitude

Today communication was made with the highest officer in the corporation. This loan company is but a tiny subsidiary.They are very "concerned."

I spent some time looking them up at the Better Business Bureau site. Not a good rating, in fact a rather bad rating.

Ignorance of the law is no excuse, but it gets you a long way in this town.

We'll see what happens.

I hope the people you told do the right thing, caroline. LOL, agoraphobic with an attitude!

*mod edit*

angercoach wrote:I don't fully agree with some of the other responses. Venting is generally a poor, ineffective and harmful way to express anger and frustration.

Yeah, I agree with that part. Just the other day some lady insinuated I was a bad person in one of the threads. I kept quiet even though I wanted to tell her what a douche bag she was.

[quote="angercoach"]Dear Caroline,
You wrote: "But today, after politeness could not overcome stupidity and ignorance, I lost it and ripped into this person, swearing, saying the f-word--just totally going down in flames.
I don't feel badly for her. I question my own inability to keep things together.
I had to get pro-active every once in a while living in a big city, but here, a person will encounter roadblocks all the time. ....
Although I know my behavior was inexcusable, who knows whether I'll go ballistic again."

I don't fully agree with some of the other responses. Venting is generally a poor, ineffective and harmful way to express anger and frustration. You are not happy with your behavior - "I know my behavior was inexcusable.."
It's true that this woman should not have given you 'lip' but, you let her get to you and you lost control.
How about growing from this experience? Maybe you could learn how to be respectfully assertive when a similar incident occurs in the future? Write out the scenario and what you could have said instead. If you are prepared you can communicate your opinions and requests directly and firmly.
*mod edit*

I like what they said, and thanked them for it.


I'm curious about your background and credentials. Care to enlighten us?

caroline