Well I'm annoyed with the CC companies I deal with!

[missmich]

I'm well aware that I'm behind on payments with both of my CC's that I decided to cancel quite along time ago. Anyway one called to remind me and ask when I could make a payment and I honestly don't know since I'm behind on everything. I plan to sit down in the next few days and go over all the bills and a pen and paper and figure something out then let them know. I called the other one today to explain I know I'm behind and what I need to do about and I also mentioned that I'm pregnant and neither of the women I spoke with said "congratulations"!That made me so mad and made me feel hurt. I actually said something to woman about it today,I said wow you didn't even say anything,thanks a lot! The man at the internet company that I also owe money to said congrats!

What's the deal with them not saying anything about my happy news? I didn't mention to get pity and have them credit my account or anything or give me a discount. I mentioned it cuz the one bill I just forgot to pay cuz it was due the day I found out and I'm not thinking straight at all sometimes.

[SeekingJoy]

I'm sorry.

[missmich]

Thank you.

[StormySar]

It's really not what they're thinking about. They want the money and are likely wondering why you're having a baby if you can't pay your bills, you know? In a situation like that I'd never expect a congrats, I wouldn't even mention being pregnant. They're not out to be nice and take the time to congratulate you, I'm surprised someone would get upset over something like that.

Congrats though.

[luv-my-boys]

Originally Posted by StormySar

It's really not what they're thinking about. They want the money and are likely wondering why you're having a baby if you can't pay your bills, you know? In a situation like that I'd never expect a congrats, I wouldn't even mention being pregnant. They're not out to be nice and take the time to congratulate you, I'm surprised someone would get upset over something like that.

Congrats though.

thats what I was thinking. Congrats from me though

[kate42]

Originally Posted by missmich

What's the deal with them not saying anything about my happy news? I didn't mention to get pity and have them credit my account or anything or give me a discount.

First, congrats!

I worked for a communications company for a long time. We had a collections department who would start making dunning calls after 30 days of no-pay. Unfortunately, a LOT of people would try to use a pregnancy as an excuse to not pay bills.

Of course, that's not what you were doing, but they don't know that and they've heard it before. Collections agents are trained to not get into a conversation that may evoke a personal reaction or sympathy. In short, they are cold because they have to be. Their job is to get you to make a payment and that's it.

[rightkindofme]

Because they are at work trying to do their job and their only impression of you so far is you don't pay your bills. Adding on an expense (and goodness gracious children are expensive) is not something that a financial person is going to be thrilled about.

[ps4624]

They didn't say congratulations because they are trying to collect a debt, not make friends. I think you might want to develop a little bit of a thicker skin - not all people are going to be as excited about your pregnancy as you are.

Congratulations!

[leavemealone]

Congrats!

However, as others have said, the collectors really don't care about people's personal lives. They are doing a job trying to get money (some not even using legal tactics to do so) and when they hear you are pregnant, they are probably thinking that it's even less of a chance they'll collect money now. Most collectors wouldn't care if someone broke both legs, both arms and their neck as long as they could collect some money from them.

[Kirsten]

I wouldn't feel hurt or annoyed. This isn't your friend or relative or even the checker at the grocery store. It is someone whose job it is to get you to pay up. This isn't likely to be a "wow, that's great - I'm going to run a 5K next month" type of relationship. If you want to mention that you are pregnant as a reason that you forgot to pay on time, go ahead - but know that tons of people use every possible excuse/lie when they are behind on bills. So the person calling you might believe you or might not, but I wouldn't expect a congratulations either way.

[missmich]

Yes,true some people would say it just to get out of a payment or whatever. What I said to them was "I'm sorry I forgot the payment,it was meant to be paid the same day I got the news that I'm pregnant and I've been doing so many things it slipped my mind to pay it later on" then I explained that within the next few days I'd sit down with my bills and a pen and paper and see when I could make payment and then call them back and make a real plan since off the top of my head I didn't know and didn't want to promise an amount then not be able to pay that much.

I was upset b/c of my hormones I suppose.

[smallmama]

Originally Posted by missmich

Yes,true some people would say it just to get out of a payment or whatever. What I said to them was "I'm sorry I forgot the payment,it was meant to be paid the same day I got the news that I'm pregnant and I've been doing so many things it slipped my mind to pay it later on" then I explained that within the next few days I'd sit down with my bills and a pen and paper and see when I could make payment and then call them back and make a real plan since off the top of my head I didn't know and didn't want to promise an amount then not be able to pay that much.

I was upset b/c of my hormones I suppose.

They just can't really care about any explanations or excuses. All they want is their money. Period.

[Poddi]

Why do you expect total strangers to be excited about your pregnancy? It's really nothing to do with them, and not everybody even like babies. I've only said congratulations about pregnancy to friends and relatives, when I know they've been trying to have a baby. I know plenty of people who didn't like such news at all. I have a SIL who was married, and had a secure job when she found out she's pregnant. She totally freaked out and considered abortion because she didn't feel ready. It's not exactly unusual for people to respond indifferently to such news.