Before I share this blog, I am going to give some background.
I used to work for IBM call centre in Scotland, receiving in-bound calls from end users, stores, banks and helpdesks for hardware faults on their computers, servers and anything in-between. Hence, when a solicitor calls, I give them my time; or my listening ear, if you will.
However, push the wrong buttons and get rude with me and I will verbally attack you until I am finished with my little game.
A few weeks ago I got a call from a company whose name was spoken so fast I couldn’t understand it. Anyway, he claimed he could lower my monthly mortgage payments.
What is your current interest rate on your home ma’am?
5.5%
Is it fixed or variable?
it’s fixed
What is your current balance on your loan?
That’s private information; I’m not sharing that with you over the phone. And how do I know you are who you say you are?
Ma’am, my name is _________ and I’m from _________.
Yes, I understand that, but you have to look at it from my point of view mate, you could be anyone and I just have to believe you, know what I mean?
But we can substantially lower your monthly payments, what is your current balance?
That’s private, I’m not telling you, especially over the phone, I wouldn’t even share that with someone who knew me … so stop asking
But I need it to let you know how much I can lower your payments by …
Look, I seriously DOUBT you would know how much you can save me. You’re just trained to sit there in your wee call center and tell people you can save them money, but how do you really know? You don’t.
We can refinance your mortgage so that it you will only pay 1% interest …
(I cut him off) Is that fixed or variable?
It’s fixed for 5 years.
And then what after that? Eleven, 13? 71⁄2? I think I’ll stick with my 5.5, I seem to be getting a better deal there. And plus (he tried to cut me off) … excuse me, I listened to you when you spoke, please afford me the same respect. Thank you. And plus! I am happy with my Countrywide loan, I know who these people are, I have never heard of your business and quite frankly, if I WAS going to refinance, I wouldn’t be doing it over the phone. I’d want to do it in private in an office where I can see the person I am talking to.
Well ma’am, I can transfer you to one of the loan officers here and they can discuss it with you …
I don’t want to talk with one of your loan officers, in fact, I don’t really want to be talking to you either, so please don’t waste your time. Seriously, I know you can’t accept the first few no’s, and I appreciate that, that’s your job, but I really am not interested in switching my loan to your company.
Well, thank you for your time ma’am, have a nice day.
Hey, you too, cheers mate.
a Brit different 