Seemed Like A Good Job But..Er, No I Really Couldn't Do This..
By Janey1966
@Janey1966 (24170)
Carlisle, England
May 18, 2012 8:14pm CST
Administration jobs are what I'm about, especially if the role involves some kind of data input or typing in general.
The other day I found a job on one of those jobs sites at a place called Bright House. Besides the general administration aspect to the job it also involved ringing people up to try to re-arrange their monthly payments on "stuff" bought from the shop. Think of it as an electrical/furniture retailer where you buy things "on the knock" therefore accruing ridiculous interest and you get the idea what I mean.
The very idea of ringing people up (or even visiting them in some cases) to try to get them to cough up more money when they have none, makes me feel quite ill actually. I know people are desperate for the goods in question and the only way they can get them is by going in a shop such as Bright House..but I, for one couldn't get involved in chasing up payments.
It's a glorified Debt Collector and why it wasn't advertised as such, God only knows.
Are there jobs you wouldn't do even if the pay was brilliant (as in this case) or would you think, "It's a job..someone has to do it."
8 responses
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
19 May 12
The job sounds like pressing buyers for payment .And that the company probably links your salary with debts that you collect. I reckon you seem ill-suited to this kind of job,because you always have sympathy with people who have knocks.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 May 12
My compassion would definitely get in the way so I wouldn't last long in a job like that I'm afraid..and I'm glad!
@changjiangzhibin89 (17243)
• China
20 May 12
Humans'most essential quality is kindness.It is ironic that many kind-hearted people can't find a jod suitable to them.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
19 May 12
There are some sorts of debt collection work that I could do, but working for a company which is taking advantage of people like this is not something I'd want to get involved in.
Of course, there's an argument that people should know better than to get involved with a company like this in the first place, but sadly our society puts such an emphasis of having 'stuff' that people find it very hard to resist.
@GreenMoo (11833)
•
20 May 12
There are millions of people around the world who would argue that the sort of things we're discussing are far from necessities in life. In fact, I manage without a washing machine myself.
Buying things on credit when you can't afford the repayments is madness. If you can't afford to buy a new sofa, buy a second hand sofa, request one on freecycle, sit on a pile of cushions or on the floor.
I had an inflatable chair in my lounge for months. I was heavily pregnant at the time, and when it deflated slightly the only way I could get out of it was to roll sideways onto the floor!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 May 12
Unfortunately, the only way an unfurnished flat (for example) can be furnished is by the tenant actually going out and buying something to sit on for themselves. Not all landlords are responsible enough to even give people the basics. I once lived in a flat whereby the landlord promised us a washing machine (plugged into the mains in the garage downstairs) and, 6 months down the line we still never got one. My boyfriend of the time had to visit the launderette each week and I was paying a ridiculous amount in rent. Needless to say, when we did finally move to somewhere that had plumbing for a washer/dryer it was heaven..so some 'stuff' I've mentioned are actually necessities in life. I'm not talking about things like televisions here although I admit that Bright House do sell them. I wouldn't buy one from there, put it that way!
@ElicBxn (64172)
• United States
19 May 12
I couldn't do that job. I can't call up strangers especially ones that don't want to talk to me...
By that, I mean, I can call a store and ask hours or if they have something, but I couldn't do calls to promote something (like a political call) and I sure couldn't do this one!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 May 12
No, I couldn't either. I used to live with someone who would be IDEAL for this job as he was hopeless with money but has no conscience, therefore a job like this would suit him down to the ground.
1 person likes this
@RawBill1 (8531)
• Gold Coast, Australia
19 May 12
No I would not do that either. It would be so incredibly negative to be dealing with that each day. It would be difficult not to take some of that negativity on board. A few years ago when I was searching through jobs online, I came across positions for parking inspectors regularly. That would be another one where you would have to have an incredibly thick skin!
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 May 12
Yes, especially when people are continually punching you on the nose!
@randylovesdar (4932)
• United States
19 May 12
I could never collect debts myself. I think it is terrible that this was not mentioned up front. I do not blame you for not wanting the job. I remember over Christmas Holiday I had applied to Sears and the lady asked me if I was willing to ask people if they want to apply for the credit card and then I was told that I had to push people to take the card. I was okay with asking, but I was not going to guilt someone into take a credit card if they do not want one. I was then told by a cashier that if we do not get a certain number of credit card offers and acceptances that our hours get cut. I was not going to put up with this. At the time I needed the money and did not need to push people to get a credit card that they do not need.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 May 12
That's one of my pet hates, being hassled for a store card. I remember being in a store called British Home Stores (BHS) and a very old lady was buying some bedding in front of me..and what did the lady behind the counter ask her?
"Would you like a store card madam, you get 10% off your purchases today and a lovely free bear!"
I was dreading the lady accepting the offer (as interest on such cards is massive as you probably know) but she resolutely refused, even after being asked half a dozen times.
I honestly felt like shouting out "Good for you love!" but resisted the temptation. I do wonder how many people have got caught out with these and I'm glad you didn't push them onto customers. I mean, fancy Sears saying they'd cut your hours if you didn't push them enough onto people. That's awful!
I was dreading the lady accepting the offer (as interest on such cards is massive as you probably know) but she resolutely refused, even after being asked half a dozen times.
I honestly felt like shouting out "Good for you love!" but resisted the temptation. I do wonder how many people have got caught out with these and I'm glad you didn't push them onto customers. I mean, fancy Sears saying they'd cut your hours if you didn't push them enough onto people. That's awful!
@Lizomatic12 (96)
• United States
19 May 12
You should not feel bad about not keeping this job. I am sure you need the pay but if you have morals and the job does not make you want to "Get up in the morning" to get to your job than find another job. I have morals and standards too. I will not work at a job I hate. Yes I don't Love my job, but I don't hate it either.Good Luck:-)
@MoonGypsy (4605)
• United States
19 May 12
i know one job i would never do. i would become a debt collector before i become a police office. i don't trust police and i think they are one of the most dangerous forces to humanity around.
@PointlessQuestions (15397)
• United States
19 May 12
I'm with you on this one. I could never be a debt collector of any kind. There is no way I could call people up and ask them for money, or get into their financial business or harass them in any way. They are having problems if they can't pay their payments, I wouldn't want to make their stress level higher. I couldn't do it.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
20 May 12
I bet there are "targets" to meet as well. A friend of ours (the lady who lost her twins recently) once worked at an electrical retailers called Comet. This isn't like Bright House but staff were expected to hassle customers once they bought something..to take out insurance on purchases, bearing in mind it was about £150 for 3 years. Kelly would not hassle customers - her argument being "they don't want it anyway" and she was sacked!
