Is there any value in 'being nice' to your DCA?

[FSpencer]

This question will probably attract a chorus of no's. But I reckon there might be a few individuals working for them who don't really like their jobs and will be more likely to settle with a debter who is friendly.

 

When I got into my debt problems six years ago, I did get into a good rapport with one of the DCAs, and he agreed to write-off 70% in a full and final that I paid, and thanked me at the end for being a more level-headed debter. I was out of the country then (with no immediate prospect of returning), so I guess that was also a factor, although my other creditors would not agree to the same full and final terms I offered back then (I'm about to CCA one of them now, I have another thread started on this).

 

Looking at the text of the CCA requests and templates others are posting, they use quite agressive language (which just isn't my style), and I imagine will immediately get the backs of the DCA employee up - possibly making them more determined. On the other hand, a full-on aggresive approach may show them you mean business and convince them to give up. I guess it depends on who you end up dealing with there.

 

Is it worth trying to be nice first? 'A drop of honey catches more flies than a gallon of gaul' as they say.

[creditcardmug]

Being nice to DCA.......i dont think so, you need to take the upper hand or they will walk all over you...and then some!

[cerberusalert]

[angry cat]

NO!!!

[kiptower]

WHY there there to [problem] and bleed you dry

[comebackjimmy]

Nnooooo....oooooooooooo

[Guest Cartaphilus]

Hmmm. Well. As a nice person myself, one usually used to being treated the same way I do others eg respectfully, compassionately and with some empathy if I know that person is going through very difficult times ... I have been nice to my creditors/their DCAs but the same hasn't been given back in return. So, I would have to say no. On that basis.

 

I find it hard to empathise with a person or persons who do not show the same back in return. Particularly as I know they are being paid and usually instructed to be that way with debtors anyway. Their approach is intentionally aggressive, no two ways about it.

 

In fact, I've never been aggressive with anyone at a DCA or creditor; sure I've been driven to distraction listening on the phone about things I know are wrong from reading places like here for example. Listened to the constant repitition of ignoring all payment offers and 'pay x amount' because no other amounts will suffice despite you not being able to afford them. Won't go into this, but the very first time I spoke with one by phone, I was told they could do whatever they liked to me aggressively and I was left very much with the impression they couldn't after finishing the conversation.

 

Sorry for the long post but no, tried being nice and it wasn't given back in return. I don't think it would ever be so unless there is a massive change in the way debt is handled in the UK and people are treated fairly when already in very dire circumstances and then having to contend with all of this on top of that; many of whom suffer with ailments which makes it 10 to a 100 times worse to handle. If you see what I mean.

[vjohn82]

Oh dear... I think we need an award for comedy value. I spoke to a guy the other day who was chasing a payday loan... I tried to be reasonable etc... he was having none of it... same old threats come out... he demanded £53.16 per month at the start... I stuck to my guns when he started being an arse and he eventually accepted £15.

 

So no, based on my experiences, you treat them with the contempt they treat you.

[andydd]

One answer is perhaps to send them humorous replies instead of being aggresive, I recently replied to one enquiring about their whether they needed to top up the 'red' toner, as it was fast becoming their favourite colour to use.

 

Personally I think you shouldnt be aggressive unless they have first, thetre are various you tube clips with people dealing with DCA's, but phoning them up and calling them c**ts, isnt funny and not constructive, I prefer Fuzzybobble's wind ups, or for the US one, where they only use Arnie clips, surpringly this lasts quite a while

 

Andy

[Bazooka Boo]

When I got into my debt problems six years ago, I did get into a good rapport with one of the DCAs, and he agreed to write-off 70% in a full and final that I paid, and thanked me at the end for being a more level-headed debter.

 

He only thanked you because he got a load of commission out of you, and didn't have to do any work for the money!

 

Interrogation is what they deserve, and interrogation is what they'll get if they ever rattle my cage, if the 'i's aren't dotted and the 't's aren't crossed then I'll no longer play ball.

[vjohn82]

I once tried paying a DCA with my IOU card... and the gormless goon asked me for the long number across the middle...

[creditcardmug]

He only thanked you because he got a load of commission out of you, and didn't have to do any work for the money!

 

Interrogation is what they deserve, and interrogation is what they'll get if they ever rattle my cage, if the 'i's aren't dotted and the 't's aren't crossed then I'll no longer play ball.

He would have paid about 8% for it so made an instant 28% profit!!...........and he didnt even provide the credit in the 1st place!!

 

And we havent even discussed the pros/cons of whether the full balance was genuinely owed to the original creditor

[DonkeyB]

Nay, nay and thrice nay!

[Hardupnotfedup]

Well that advice is quite conclusive from a wide range of experienced CAGgers so no 'Whoopsie in my beret' jokes it won't do you any good.

Short sharp and poker-faced is the way to be, and defo never let them think they have you rattled.

[Fred Bassett]

Hi FSpencer,

 

I think for most of us, our first contact with a DCA is usually initiated by them and is nearly always very aggressive in nature and tone. To me, this is quite staggering because you do have a point. If these people didn't conduct themselves in the way that they do, quite a few of us would not be here in the first place.

 

I suppose this approach works for them in most cases, but the pendulum is gradually swinging and one day they may well learn to treat people with respect. In all other walks of life and with anyone else I deal with, I always try the nice approach first and it very often pays dividends. At the moment though, it is highly unlikely that 'niceness' would be reciprocated by a DCA.

 

You have to bear in mind that these people are cheats, liars, con artists and crooks. Their reason for being is to profit from the misery of others. Therefore, the best way to deal with them is not to discuss it at all, except in writing.

 

Regards.

 

Fred

[angry cat]

Please remember that you, are only a number on a cd rom!

 

Their only interest in the number (you) is to obtain admission of debt and regular payments, whether it be token or, other.

 

These firms have no knowledge of anything that went on prior;

no knowledge of any dispute etc.

 

Their aim is simply monetary: $$$$$$$$ - £££££££.

 

I say again: NO.

[cashins]

What's the difference between a snake and a DCA?

 

Mostly, if you leave snakes alone, they leave you alone.

 

David

[MandM]

NO!

 

Whats the difference between a DCA and a Mosquito? The mosquito stops sucking your blood after you slap it.

 

M

[adarling2006]

it's pointless being nice to them, they only make you angry when they constantly think your wrong to even challenge their so claimed authority so IMHO they deserve what they get.

[Craigbadger]

Not a DCA but I was very nice to the man that rang on a blocked number from Citicard.

 

I took his full name, address and date of birth and then heres the interesting bit. I refused to give him my details as i'm not comfortable doing so so told him I was David Beckham to which he told me to stop playing silly buggers whilst laughing.

I then told him that he must know my details or he wouldnt be ringing me and to prove he was genuine, he then proceded to tell me my name, address and DOB. Then offered to freeze the interest on my account for 6 months at £60 a month which I had written to them to ask just this morning.

Surely a massive breach of data protection though. He was actually very nice but even so that shocked me.

[loopinlouie]

One 'nice' ha ha dca a while ago when I was confused on the phone, sympathised with my illness and offered to pay another account I had run out of slips for, lovely I thought. They said the other company was under their umbrella and could make sure I was up to date and could see the other account listed. Brilliant and helpful I thought, didnt know cag then.

 

Months later I realised on a statement two payments appeared on one account and none on the other. Rang firms, told abruptly not linked in any way shape or form and that I had offered to pay extra that month:mad:

 

I will always be polite to people, but never believe a word they say again. I got the last laugh, asked for cca didnt get one and the nice helpful firm get didly squat now:D

[Delta-Charlie-76]

In my experience of DCA's, I cannot even think of a sentence that nice & DCA go together!!!

 

Many of them get aggressive when I refuse security & refuse flat to pay them anything....no proof, as for being nice back...me putting the phone down on them without the last two words ending with off is being nice.

[DonkeyB]

I cannot even think of a sentence that nice & DCA go together!!!

 

I can!

 

"10,000 DCA employees have lost their jobs, which is nice."

[Bazooka Boo]

I can!

 

"10,000 DCA employees have lost their jobs, which is nice."

 

:grin:Sweet!!!:grin:

[vjohn82]

I can!

 

"10,000 DCA employees have lost their jobs, which is nice."

 

 

Mmmmmmmm.... nice