America, The Land of Oz?

I called my credit card company (Wells Fargo) that I owe about $8500 to for daycare, college expenses and some fun charges in their as well.

You always hear the horror stories about the crazy phone calls and the nasty way the customer service reps talk to you when dealing with debt.  I have never had that experience before and thought it must be overblown exaggerations regarding these horror stories surrounding credit card negotiation phone calls.  Surely, if you are willing to pay, you have the money and they certainly want the money there is a middle ground both of you can stand on, right?

WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG, WRONG!

Not only was I cursed out by a Wells Fargo credit card representative but I was called various names, and hung up on twice.  They refused to lower my rate which is holding and accumulating at a 23% interest rate.  They said they would lower my minimum payment so I could pay them but still keep the 23% interest rate.  I explained to the irate rep that this would not solve the big picture in eliminating the debt.  Paying less than the minimum with a 23% interest rate my debt would increase not decrease.  I stated this and he said, “Yeah so…but then you would be current.”  SO Again, back to the banks being the new mobsters.  I would then be paying you not to pay off the debt but I would be paying you, the new mob, to not take a hit out on me…..interesting.

I was then told by the same customer service rep to “forget the big picture” meaning:  forget paying the debt off….okay man behind the curtain, IT IS ABOUT THE BIG PICTURE!  Seriously, America and its banks are the new Land of Oz.  We have a few men behind the curtains selling us dreams…go to college, use your credit card, etc.  I bought into those dream, I didn’t understand the man behind the fine print, it was my fault for not educating myself and I’m not taking the victim stand I just find it scary that the biggest scam we have in Oz, cough, I meant America, is the banks. 

Pay attention to the man behind the curtain.

“No heart, no brain…oh we’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful wizard of Ozzzzzzz.”  Sing it all the way to the bank.