Sometimes you have no choice who you get your loans through, just that you get an education to pay off those loans. Everything was fine until I graduated, and then everything went wrong.
Two months ago, I wrote in and asked about their different income sensitive programs. Two weeks later, I got a response. They sent me the MGRS form and I sent it in. Three more times of faxing it in later, they claim they finally got it. This took over a month. I called them numerous times only to be put on hold for over 30 minutes. Who has that kind of time? By now, my payments are two months overdue, with each phone call saying they are working on it, and each email still taking two weeks to get a response.
Today was different, and they turned their story around. Now they are calling my co-signer, threatening to ruin her credit. They have not called me once, but they are calling my mother? According to their computers, they have all my information. I spoke today to a very unkind and rude customer service rep, and after he screamed at me, I demanded to speak with his supervisor. This is how the conversation played out:
Me: This is the problem. I have called, I have faxed in four times, I have done everything in my power to get this account into good standing and for some reason, I keep getting stonewalled. Your customer service takes up to two weeks to get me a response via email when it clearly states up to three days. All I want to do is get this settled today so I can move on with my life.
Supervisor: Look lady, we deal with over $90 billion dollars in student loans, over 5,000 emails a day. I am sorry it took two weeks to get a response, but we really don't care.
Me: Well, if you make so much money, maybe you should hire more people. And for the record, I know about your stock and your company, so I don't need an AES economic lecture today, sir. I just want to get my account taken care of.
Supervisor: Well, we received your MGRS via fax last week.
Me: That's great.
Supervisor: But you still owe a past due amount.
Me: That is crazy! I have been trying to get this fixed way before my account was delinquent. Your company has not responded. This is not my fault. I cannot afford this payment. And I would really appreciate it if you stopped calling my mother and threatening her. Leave her out of this. This is between you and me.
Supervisor: Whatever.
Me: You should not be talking to me like this. (silence) You know what, I have a better idea: update your system and hire a few more people while I go over to the Better Business Bureau and file a complaint. (And I did, by the way.)
Supervisor: Go ahead.
The big question is, what do I do now? I am going to find some way to come up with the bazillion dollars that I should not have to pay right now, to try and salvage my credit report. But I am not letting this go. Obviously AES has some shady business practices and we need to do something about it! According to the BBB's website, AES has had over 107 complaints in the past year alone. They do not give this place a good rating and neither should you! Stay away if you must!
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