optoutprescreen.com is a web site to cut back on offers you get in the mail for credit card pre-approvals and insurance stuff. If intersted check out this web site. I heard about it on the Clark Howard Show. If you are like me I am pretty tired of shredding those things. Hopefully I can cut back on them in the future. I just have no desire to get them or entertain the thoughts of more available credit!
Do you listen to Clark Howard? I do now and then. I used to listen to Dave Ramsey and for some unknown reason he was dropped from my area. I sure miss listening to that show on my way to get the kids from school. I can get him on the internet--- but I liked it in the van.
Yesterday the music company called me to set up flute rental. My fifth grader hopes to start up this new thing to all of us called beginner band!!! It is really exciting for her and for me! She played piano and was good but got bored after two years. So the flute lady called. When they asked me about my finances I was really upset and kinda perplexed. The gal kept asking about my ex's business and his company and his position. I asked if it was for credit checking purposes.....she said no she needed to know about who is going to pay. First I said I AM paying not the DAD and I WAS THE responsible party.
I then could not get her to understand that $40 a month was OK and I would pay it by check each month via their handy dandy coupon book. She asked where I worked ...I told her I was a homemaker. Then she grilled me about income. I finally felt after 5 mins. I had to get personal. I told her I am divorced and I have income from my divorce to pay for the flute each month. She did not believe me. I had to explain I was getting child support and spousal support. She thought I was faking her out. I finally told her the amount. I was mad at myself I told her that info that is personal! I felt somewhat violated. I felt that sharing all this personal stuff was not needed. I mean we are talking a rental flute here not a new Lexus or a house. I should of said If I do not pay---come get the flute at school! It is yours! I am not sure---- but I have to figure out a better way to handle this type of situation in the future. Maybe I handled wrong or maybe she did.....which ever the case ......I got off the phone in a bad mood. I have paid every bill every month on time and even paid early sometimes my entire life. I am divorced-not a second class citizen. I am able to manage my money and do pretty well at it most of the time. That being a homemaker does not mean you are stupid or lazy. It means I made a choice 17 years ago that's all. I am divorced...I am responsible. Just like you chose to work and rent flutes.....I chose to work in the home. I am able....thankfully to pay each bill. I pay my bills faithfully
I know it is just a flute but to me I felt almost attacked personally.
It gives me that much resolve to make it in this world- on my own-- and prove to anyone on the other end of the phone that I am doing just fine thank you very much! My daugther gets her flute at school today.....my prayer is she loves learning how to play it and enjoys the process. Along the way I hope she creates some beautiful music. May she feel free to express herself and may she never feel ashamed in her life choices.
Cut Back on Pre-approvals
September 19th, 2006 at 03:19 pm
September 19th, 2006 at 04:24 pm 1158679444
September 19th, 2006 at 04:25 pm 1158679555
I hope you will consider writing this entire incident up and reporting it to the employee's superviser. If this person treats you like this one time, it's a safe bet she will do it again and maybe worse next time. That needs to be nipped in the bud now.
September 19th, 2006 at 05:00 pm 1158681622
September 19th, 2006 at 08:39 pm 1158694793
In addition, while I don't think there is anything fundamentally wrong with a rental company trying to verify the creditworthiness of a prospective renter, I do think there is something fundamentally wrong with how this company approached the verification process. If they check the creditworthiness of all renters, then they should have a credit/rental application seeking appropriate information and giving the appropriate disclosures required by federal and/or state law. If they don't check the creditworthiness of all renters, then they had no business checking yours. To single you out, smacks of discrimination. It's sound to me like the caller thought you were on welfare.
I realize the conversation got out of hand a bit quickly, but you should never give personal financial information over the phone to a stranger, especially on a call you did not initiate. If someone needs specific financial information from you and you don't know who they are, let them request it in writing. As a newly divorced woman, you will be seen by many as easy prey. As a Christian, you are probably inclined to be more trusting and kind than most. You need to be especially vigilant in protecting yourself.
As an aside, how much do flutes cost? Are they available secondhand? $40 a month seems high unless it is a top quality instrument.
September 20th, 2006 at 02:56 pm 1158760561
Your sister here...you probably can get a decent flute for
September 20th, 2006 at 02:57 pm 1158760662
September 23rd, 2006 at 08:23 am 1158996210