The 22nd Wish
www. progressivefinancial.com ... Thanks for your interest in Progressive Financial Services, Inc. We look forward to reading your comments, and will get back with you as soon as possible.
I submit the following:
DEAR P.F.S.
Approximately two weeks ago, I received a call from a female claiming to be with your agency , the female agent was attempting to collect a past due balance that I allegedly owe to the City of Tempe. I was unable to discuss anything in detail with her, as I was at work. At that time, the individual on your end of the line, kept insisting on a payment and would not allow me to hang up until I agreed to make a payment.
Her exact words were "the total is only 116.00 - why dont you just pay it?"
I explained to her, "I do not have $116.00 at this time, I will have to make payment arrangements at a later time, I am at work right now."
The female insisted, "Well, do you have half?"
Again, I explained to her, "I don't even have half."
The female insisted, "It's not that much money, you can't just pay it?"
I replied, NO! and I am at work, I cannot discuss this and I will call you at a better time."
"Fine," she said and hung up.
In my error, I did not return her call due to several reasons, one being her shitty attitude.
Today, I received another phone call from an agent at your company at approx 4pm, this being the same individual as the prior phone call.
Again, she was attempting to collect a bill from the city of Tempe in the amount of 116.00.
Her attitude was extremely unprofessional. She began by "scolding" me for never returning her call. I apologized and attempted to explain to her why.
She interrupted saying the following, "You obviously don't consider your water source important."
I replied, "I don't even have water with the City of Tempe and have not since february of 2005."
She then stated, "Do you ever intend on needing water services with any city in this state?"
I asked her, "What was your name again?"
She ignored me and rambled on about how I will never get water again...
I attempted to speak again, "During our last conversation, you asked for 116.00 and insulted me because I didnt even have half ."
The female stated, "Look, I don't want to hear it, are you going to pay the 116.?"
I then explained to her, " I make x amount of dollars a month, I have x amount of expenses to cover and I could make payment arrangements with you for 20.00 a month and that is the best I could do."
She began yelling, "You're lying, you don't intend to pay anything, obviously, so Im just going to tell the city that you refuse to pay this bill you owe!"
I then asked for her name and she refused to give it to me, again.
Instead she just kept on screaming through the phone line: "You know what, you are a liar and you should have called me back and it's too late now and I dont have to give you my name because you don't have the need to know that!"
Click...dial tone.
She disconnected the call.
I attempted to place a call to the number reflected on my caller ID. When a female answered, I asked for a supervisor, the female on the other end of the line started yelling again, "I am the supervisor here, I run this ship and you need to leave me alone, lady!"
I replied, "Oh, I'm sorry to have bothered you at work."
She disconnected the call again.
I attempted for the second time to call the number and when the recording asked to enter an 4 digit extension number, I picked a random 4 digit number, in hopes of reaching someone with a little professionalism and an ounce of sanity.
someone answered the phone. someone disconnected the call, again.
The heading on your website states your agency motto is "mediation, not confrontation" but after the experience I have had with your agency, I do not see any glimpse of anything BUT confrontation.
I do not want this female agency person contacting the city and telling them that I REFUSED to pay this debt. I have every intention of doing so, but I can only pay a little at a time.
I am positive that the City of Tempe would be appalled knowing they hired your agency to collect an unpaid debt owed to them and the unpaid balance was never collected due to one of your agents beligerant attitude and outright refusal to make a payment arrangement with a customer.
I expect that someone will contact me ASAP regarding this account. If I do not hear back from someone in your agency, I will contact the City of Tempe directly and inform them that I attempted to make payment arrangements with P.F.S. but the agent refused and I will settle the issue directly with the City of Tempe.
Sincerely yours,
P.F.P.O.
After sending this letter, I attempted to contact the agency again. I dialed the number and selected another random 4 digit extension.
A guy answers, whew I think to myself, finally I am getting somewhere.
After the warm and welcoming "How can I help you today?" I explain to him that I have a problem.
He says, "what's that?"
She says, "I recant the whole story and request a supervisor."
He says, "hold on please"
She says, "Sure thing."
He Says, "Maam, are you still there?"
She says: "Yes"
He says, "Can I get your credit card number?"
She says, "Excuse me? Weren't you getting a supervisor to assist me with the unprofessional associate?"
He Says, "Um no but I can make a note on your account and I can take your 20 dollar payment by credit card or check by phone."
She says, "I'll send you a money order"
He says, "Mail it to P as in Paul - F as in Frank and S as in Sam to PO Box xxxxx Tempe Az .. T - E - M ..."
She says, : "I know how to spell Tempe-I used to get water there, remember?"
He says, "will you be mailing that payment today?"
She Says, "you wish"
