Couldn't They Have Been More Tactful
By pyewacket
@pyewacket (43903)
United States
November 19, 2008 6:54pm CST
Yesterday when I came home from doing some errands, and went upstairs to where my second floor apartment is, I noticed this pink sticky notice type thing tacked up on my neighbor next door's door. Okay, being nosy..LOL...I went up to it so I could read what it was. It was a collection notice from National Grid (our gas company) to indicate to her that she was in arrears for her bill (and holy moly, yes it was a whopper of a past due bill).
What was odd was that went I went into my own apartment I then poked my head out the window. Her living room windows are adjacent to my bathroom, kitchen and bedroom windows. She was home as I could see her TV on from where I was looking. So I left my apartment, rang her bell...no answer. Knocked on her door. No answer. Then rang the bell AND knocked on her door. You have to understand my neighbor is a real wack case...LOL. (She's the one who thought I had inherited at least $100,000 when my mother died..yeah, sure,....NOT) Also she does have this habit that she won't answer her door if she's watching the news, which is just about the only thing she does watch..I mean we're talking here that the building could be on fire, literally, but heaven forbid you "disturb" her while she watches the news. She just won't answer.
So today, I more or less stayed home, just going downstairs to get the mail, and noticed that the pink collection debt notice was still on her door. Meaning she hasn't been out. She stays home most of the time anyway. So, did the same thing...rang her bell..nada, knocked on her door, nada. So gave up trying to let her know about the notice.
But here's my real question. Don't you think the gas company could have been a bit more tactful? Instead of tacking up a debt collection notice on her door like that, could they have slipped the paper under her door? I mean I can't help thinking how tacky this is, and in effect letting everyone in the building know she is in arrears with the gas company bill, and like I said was a real hefty amount, indicating she probably hasn't been paying her bill for at least 8 months..I'm surprised they haven't shut off her gas yet.
Did any of you have a similar problem of someone tacking up some kind of notice (of any kind) on your door for all the world to see? I would be infuriated about that when all they had to do was slip the notice under the door. I mean it's no one's business (like nosy people like me...heehee) for others to know if you owe a debt of any kind
10 people like this
33 responses
@Faye12 (67)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I moved to a new town to attend college a few years back, and I didn't know a lot about the town. Being a college student everything was done last minute, like finding a place. I took the first place available, big mistake. Apparently the "nieghborhood" is/was a rough area, and people come and go a lot. There are 6 buildings with 2 to 4 apatments in them each. Not big, really. For the first 6 months that I lived here I would get summons on my door for what I thought were past renters. Summons to court or stating a warrent for arrest where usuallywhat they were, with the occasional child support one. This happened like 2 or 3 times a week. I would call and let the cops know the person doesn't live here, and they would thank me. Finally after about 6 months I asked how I was still getting these things on my door. I don't owe child suport, and I don't break the law, so what gives, right? The officer informed me that my door was the easiest to get to so they just post the notices there for people to find them. Real tactful, right? I threw a fit about my image and what not. Now I only get them about twice a month.
2 people like this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Dec 08
It's been a few weeks since you answered this, so curious...are you STILL getting notices left on your door?
sorry for not answering this sooner...real late in getting back to people
@fwidman (11514)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Anytime that I have been in arrears with a utility company they have left a note on the door for all the world to see. They don't care about being tactful. Actually they think that if they embarrass you enough you'll pay the bill 
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I do feel sorry for her though. Like me,she's on SSI benefits and there would be no way in the world she could pay such a big bill in full unless she makes some kind of installment plan or ask for Public Assistance to help her out...but can't help wondering why she let the bill go for so long in the first place
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Nov 08
she's a news addict...if not watching it on her TV then her radio programs
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
22 Nov 08
our national grid isn't that nice.i'd rather have a notice.
what they do is call you once (viewed as an attempt-whether you answer or not)
then show up when it's 15 days late and try to shut you off.
it's probably wholey illegal,but they do it.
the water on the other hand,will leave you a nice big hot pink notice so all your neighbors can see.
1 person likes this
@scarlet_woman (23465)
• United States
6 Dec 08
they're trying to sue my state-that may be why.
they're angry they have to clean up the mess they make.
so,guilty by proxy
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
Yikes I have National Grid as well, but never had that problem..no phone calls, and sometimes I've been a month late but make up for it the following month...no turn off notices either as I always "make it in time" somehow.
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
2 Dec 08
Here in CA when a house is repossed they post an orange notice on the window and open all the curtains so any one can see in the windows and maybe see the house.
The gas company has probably tried to get in touch with this woman by other ways and she does not respond to them.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
Yes she probably has had them notify them in other ways and has ignored them...well hope she doesn't ignore them much longer or they'll shut her gas off if they haven't done so already. Since she never answers her door no way to find out.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
5 Dec 08
I just saw her the other day..I was coming home and she was going out...I said hello to her and was about to ask what was up and everything but she kept on walking to where ever she was headed..barely even said hello back...
1 person likes this
@teapotmommommerced (10359)
• United States
4 Dec 08
Makes you wonder if she is still alive in there. I guess you will know when the place starts to smell rotten. heehee
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
6 Dec 08
No she doesn't work...she's on SSI benefits and stays home most of the time
@jonesy123 (3948)
• United States
20 Nov 08
If they slip the thing under the door, people might not notice it. They might step on it, it sticks, it gets dragged elsewhere, falls off and will not be noticed. Part of this is an in your face notice because obviously collection notices in mail form have not worked. That's why it's usually some bright color. It's also a shame factor. Let's shame you into paying your bill.
At least they didn't shut her gas off. They did that for us, notice on the door handle, gas shut off. The kicker was, it wasn't us who didn't pay the bill. At the previous place we didn't have to pay gas and we moved and had the same landlord and assumed it was still part of the rent. We never received a bill or notice or anything. That was sent to the previous occupant's new address. So here we are nine months after moving in, turn off notice on the door, and bill in arrears covering more than a year! Took us a day to get the gas back on. Had to fax in the lease with move in date confirmed by landlord, had to pay our portion of the bill... What a mess. Yeah, part was our fault for not asking, lol, but still.
Anyhow, she is lucky that nothing has been turned off yet. But she'll have to act soon. Are you sure she is still alive? I mean, you hear of those cases...
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
Yes she's fine...my windows of my apartment are adjacent to hers so I can peek out and look into her living room and see her TV on most times. You have to wonder though if they did turn the gas off, which would mean she wouldn't be able to cook anything--but since she never answers her door, what is one to do?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
Meant..since she never answers her door to find out if that is the case of her gas being off...what is one to do?
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I can peek out my kitchen window and see her living room windows and noticed she had her TV on..yup she's in there..just not answering...like I said she's a bit of a weird duck
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I have not had that happen to me but I would have been furious had my personal business been posted where any one could read it (including any nosy neighbors!)
)1 person likes this
@whiteheather39 (24403)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I LOVE my nosy neighbors as they saved my life when I lay unconscious for 3 or 4 days and they noticed I had not been around for a while and my dogs were kicking up hell with their barking. I am very happy they peeked through my windows to see what was going one!!
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
What can I say..I AM a nosy neighbor...LOL
In my building though everyone tends to be real nosy..hey..what are neighbors for??
@rsa101 (37968)
• Philippines
20 Nov 08
Yeah you're right about that, the gas company might just have inserted that noticed under the door to let it not so obvious that she has an arrear in her billing. But I think the Gas company did that in purpose to maybe let others that is concerned about her know what her arrears are.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Kind of nasty that they would do that though to let others know she's in arrears on her bill
1 person likes this
@mssnow (9484)
• United States
20 Nov 08
When a person owes someone money. The colector does anything they cn to get that money. They probably put it on her door maybe in hopes to embarrass her enough to pay her bill. of course if she doesnt have the money How can she pay it/? BUT they dont care. They like to find ways to make people pay. I hate collectors (I know this wasnt a collection agency but still they are trying to collect money) So they find ways.and they dont care about tact.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I can't figure out though why she let the bill go for so long...it would mean she hadn't been paying it for months and months
1 person likes this
@ElicBxn (63235)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I drove past a friend's place - well, its not out of my way going from my client's to my mom's. I noticed a notice of termination from the electic company on her door.
Mind you, I saw this DRIVING past her house! I didn't stop and look, I've seen these things before.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Nov 08
That's weird....sometimes if I'm a tad late with my electric or phone bill, I'll get a notice of termination but in the mail. I was having a lot of problems with my electric company as you might remember, but now they have actually credited me with two months of electric use since they overcharged me so much due to estimated bills.
1 person likes this
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I guess we are pretty different in that I just keep to myself. I don't even look at my neighbors door and I definitly would not have gone thru the knocking thing that you did because truthfully...it is none of my business. If I were to be so late in paying a bill that they tacked it on my door, I'm thinking i'd be more concerned with the issue at hand than what my neighbors thought. as many situations that i've been in, i'm thinking it probably must have happened and I just really didn't give it a thought about the neighbors...i just needed to deal with the situation. Pye...I seriously don't get why you are so obsessed with what your neighbor does. Did I miss something here? I mean , you know her habits so were you once close friends and did something happen? And why are you worried about it being a "tacky approach"? it sound as if you don't even like this neighbor. just curious.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I give a long explanation under your other posting here, so please read that as I give a rather lengthy synopsis of the issue between this neighbor of mine and me. We were never exactly chummy friends, but friends if you get my meaning..she's had eviction issues before due to the filthy way she lives..so when I saw the notice I was wondering if she were being threatened with eviction again....Still whatever I did want to bring the notice to her attention..She's not a very friendly person and the super think she's a total nutcase. ...like I said read my entire explanation. There's a lot of behind the scenes info.
1 person likes this
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
20 Nov 08
It is a bit naughty of them putting it up on the door like that. I would have read it too because I am a nosy thing. I am glad it is not me getting a notice like that though not at this time of the year!
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
I'm just thankful I'm always making a point of being caught up in my bills so would never get a notice like that
@gemini_rose (16264)
•
22 Nov 08
Ten years ago those notices are all I used to get, not stuck on my door though just posted through it, now I am in front of myself it is not a nice place to be in at all.,
@mariposaman (2959)
• Canada
20 Nov 08
By the time it gets to that point she has probably been ignoring all the overdue mailings and probably does not answer her phone anymore, if she still has one. It is unfortunate that she is 8 months behind but what is the utility company to do, I guess the next move is to cut off the gas and take her to court.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
I wonder why she let it go for so long in the first place. Our gas bills aren't that high..the most maybe $20 a month which isn't bad...her electric bill must be near zilch since she's sits in the dark all the time...I can see her living room windows from my kitchen...only thing I can see on is her TV most nights,otherwise she's always in the dark
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Can't figure out why she let the bill go for so long to begin with. It's not like the gas bills are ever that high judging from my own bill. I always make sure my bills are paid and paid in full. I used to do that "game"--you know maybe pay half, thinking then I'll pay it in full next month..would always backfire..since then I wouldn't only need to pay the amount of the bill next month but the other half of the previous bill...no a good idea
1 person likes this
@4mymak (1793)
• Malaysia
20 Nov 08
i think the gas company got no response from your neighbour, just like you had no response from her.. and my guess is.. they did it on purpose - putting the notice on the door instead of slipping it under the door.. hoping that 'concerned' neighbors (like yourself), could get that person's attention to finally read the notice.. 
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Only problem, I did try to bring it to her notice by ringing her bell and knocking on the door, but no response. It's now been a few days since I posted this and the notice is no longer on her door, so she must finally have seen it and taken it down.
@beautyqueen26 (16030)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Yeah, they should have been more discreet
about a private debt.
I guess they posted it to embarrass
the woman into paying her bill.
That's just a theory.
I have no evidence that they weren't
just being mean.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
Think it would have been nicer though if they just could have shoved the notice under her door, don't you?
@lilybug (21107)
• United States
20 Nov 08
I agree with you that they could have been a little more tactful about it. I think it is wrong of them to go posting something like that on the door with the amount owed and everything for the world to see. They should have at least put it in an envelope or something.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Yes they didn't have to add how much she owed on that notice...or could have just slipped the notice under her door
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
20 Nov 08
Perhaps they could slip it under the door, but then it might get caught and the customer could claim he/she never saw it. Putting it on the door was probably meant to embarass.
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
22 Nov 08
Yes it does sound like they were trying to embarrass her..still a bit rotten though of them
@suzzy3 (8342)
•
20 Nov 08
What a dreadful way to treat someone having a bad time, no wonder she never answers the door she is probably to frightened to, poor love are you sure she is alright in there,Why don't you pop a note through her letter box offering a shoulder to cry on,or maybe go to your social services and tell them you are worried about her.Mind you I think if they don't put it in her hand it is not legal might be something like that but even so it is going to be a long cold winter if someone does not intervene soon and you might find her in a state or worse.xx
1 person likes this
@pyewacket (43903)
• United States
3 Dec 08
She has very odd habits...since I know her fairly well, she once told me she only checks her mail once every two weeks..I know this as one time I happen to be getting my mail the same time she was getting hers..I couldn't help noticed how stuffed and crammed full her mailbox was and she explained her mail getting habit to me. She's all right though, from my kitchen widow I can see her living room windows and can see the TV on most times or hear her talk on the phone (she doesn't realize how loud she talks..LOL)
1 person likes this
