John Linton Exetel has very few bad debts - something around 0.2% of total monthly billings - but when a customer does not pay their bill we have always used a debt collection service to recover whatever money we can on the general principle that debts should always be paid by people/organisations that incur them and why should anyone encourage thieves to believe other people should subsidise their lifestyles.
These transactions occur in the 'back ground' of our business and are seldom 'visible' other than as occasional statistics to check on whether there are any problems. However our current debt collector (who we will refer to as "George") obviously has a sense of humour. Perhaps it was a slow week but he sent us this email exchange between him and a non-payer (we'll call him Jeff) that exhibits some of the attitudes of immature debt dodgers and unmitigated liars - I also hope it gives you a smile as it did me;
Dear George,
I have spoken to a solicitor friend of mine, please find attached the log sheets which
prove Exetel has overcharged me. Please pass these logs on to them .I have
spoken to Exetel and explained the situation but unfortunately their
international representatives are heavily accented and communication is
inaudible.I should be billing them for all
the problems and continual disconnection from their 3rd world service.Like I told them , If they don't
get off my back , I will publicly campaign against their poor
service with all the media I have at my disposal.
If you feel the need to continue
pursueing this measly amount, perhaps you can damage my credit rating in some
manner. Well, I don't have one. I am debt free and make my living touring
Australia playing Texas Holdem. I'm currently in St Kilda , playing tournaments
, drinking whisky and hooking up with hot women. Perhaps you'd like to give
this one a miss and pass the logs on to Mahamoud at Exetel.
Its not the amount, its the principle
Jeff
Dear Jeff,
Thank you for your email it brightened
my morning significantly. Since you are a poker wiz, I will drop my stern
poker face I often use in such dealings and lay out my cards. The $63.15 is outstanding and
owed and after discussing this with my client their logs show this has been
explained to you several times. So where do we go from here you may ask? Well
so outraged is my client that they are considering launching a Statement of
Liquidated Claim on you through the local court, the filing fees, professional
costs, service fees etc should bring the amount owing to slightly over
$2,000.00.
To make this clear Jeff that means they
can bankrupt you instantly upon Judgment, now with all this womanising and
whisky drinking I would hope your chip stack would be high enough to cover this
small account. As a man of principle Jeff which you have clearly mentioned in
your response below, I can tell you this my client is not afraid of the cost
associated with taking these actions, they are people of principle too and the amount is not the issue, plus in my opinion if you were to file grounds for defence you would
lose and undoubtedly have to pay their costs. If you are made bankrupt a
trustee is appointed and you are allowed to keep around $35,000.00 per year
before all funds are allocated to creditors – might be something to consider
next time you are planning to go all in.
As the old poker saying goes Jeff
sometimes you need to know when to fold 'em. Payment details are below:
Regards
George
Dear George,
Ah Re-raise hey, ok you might be holding Aces and my measley pocket
Jacks wont hold up. I'll show this to my solicitor friend and (bed buddy) when
I get back to Sydney, She'll probably advise me to pay the $63 which then I
guess I will be forced to fold> Damn You Table Bullies who always have the
big stacks. Tell me a few things tho George, Please tell me those Ace holes at
Exetel dont get the full amount, please tell me you rake some of that. And as
for bankrupt, well has anyone ever been made bankrupt for under $100 ? I have a
few hundred in the bank, No Assets , No Car , No Children , No debt , I operate
on much less than $35000 a year, but like I said looks like I may be forced to
fold.
Jeff
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