Saturday, January 10, 2009

"They say money isn't everything, but I'd like to see you live without it"


So I call my mortgage company, Citibank, you know the one that owns God? Yeah THAT bank. I call them, because, in case you've been living under a rock and don't know; times are TOUGH and I haven't been able to make this month's payment. I wanted to see if I could defer the payment to the end of the loan, or get an extension without having to pay the late fee, because like everyone else in the world I am struggling.

My rep said, "Unfortunately, we don't have any programs like that."

Incredulously I said "Wait a minute.. Citibank, one of the biggest banks, in a time like this doesn't have a program to help homeowners who struggle to make the mortgage payment? You guys own God!"

"No, I am sorry ma'am, have you contacted the Red Cross?"

"No, I'm not THAT desperate yet."

He has been very pleasant and understanding, he even has a sense of humor:

"Is there someone you can borrow from-oh wait, of course there isn't we are all in this mess together or you wouldn't be calling me would you?"

I laugh with him and said "That's pretty funny"

Then I remembered something ... "Wait, I don't have anything to worry about, Obama is going to pay my mortgage for me"

He says, "Maybe, but I don't think he's going to do it in January, so you should probably figure something else out."

I bow my head in defeat.

He then says "Well, once you have made the payment, if you have been assessed the late fee, ask if they can waive it because you have never had one waived. This will save you $41 then you can go out and buy a loaf of bread and a gallon of milk." He laughs again and I laugh too, "Yep that's about ALL I will be able to buy" He apologizes again for not being able to help me, wishes me luck and we hang up. I am left in disbelief. I just don't understand why they can't do that.

My SIL tells me a story about her accountant that calls her and asks if she will be able to pay him, because if he doesn't put $650 in the bank to cover payroll, they will shut him down" WAIT back up... you are an accountant... I guess no one is immune.

13 comments:

Mary@Holy Mackerel said...

It's hard out there. I'm thinking about you...Keep your chin up.

Unknown said...

Thanks Mary, I appreciate that.

Julia@SometimesLucid said...

I am SURE you thought of this, but is there any way to re-finance your mortgage (sometimes when you do that you start paying like 1.5 months later).

Unknown said...

Thank you Julie just did that.. unfortunately it didn't help sigh

I appreciate the thoughts though

Kim said...

Good luck. Kind of frustrating Citi Group can get a governemnt bailout but you can't. http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5j7mckbS5RXsxsJw8XfmLsSEUhUFgD95KEASO1

Unknown said...

Thanks for that link.. and even after all that.. you're right... I STILL won't catch a break OH WELL phuck it

Anonymous said...

Good luck and many blessings..
P.S.( my blog platform sucks and am in the middle of switching the platform over, maybe then the reader will pick it up :) )

Nanny Goats In Panties said...

Ugh! Times sure are tough out there. I hope things get better for you! I don't suppose robbing a bank is an option for you? No, it's probably hard to mail your mortgage payments from jail. Hang in there, darlin'! You've got us thinking about you and pulling for you!

Unknown said...

dani.. thank you.. Let me know when it gets done ;)

Margaret

Yeaaaaaaaaaah if you wanna be my get away car.. that might just work :) thank you for your kind words

Lyndsay said...

I'm sorry to read about this. I hate to see so many people struggling right now.

On a positive note - I can't imagine many customer service reps that actually have the ability to be funny.

Unknown said...

Lyndsay thank you. I am glad you commented.. I have missed you.. something happened with my profile, I lost some of my links and I somehow stopped following 10 or so people.. it was weird.

I was surprised he was humorous too especially from the mortgage company.. I think they are all beginning to understand how much it blows

Unknown said...

ps Nanny.. thank you for the great review !

Tamara said...

Wow... That's really crap. In South Africa we have debt counsellers that negotiate easier repayment deals with your bank when you're in hot water. Problem is that it messes your credit rating up forever.

Hope God sends a miracle your way!

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