I have had a loan with this System & Services Technologies, Inc or SST (as they perfer to be called) for five years now. This companies practice is unethical, unprofessional, and in violation of many consumers rights. I noticed from the first time that I tired to inquire about a simple balance on the loan it seemed difficult for the agent to give me an exact amount and when asked about the interest rate I could not get a clear answer.
Roughly two years into the loan I ran into some financial hardship that caused me to fall behind on my loan. I called SST several times and explained the situation. I was making payments to the loan just not on time due to the finances not being available at the due date. I was rudely told that I needed to get my finances together and take responsibility to make my payment on time or legal action might occur. I was able to get some help from an assistant and avoided any possible legal action that SST would have grounds to take. I was surprised however when a gentleman showed up at my front door at 8pm with papers and a camera. He handed me his cell phone and told me to call SST immediately. I followed his instructions and was told that the gentleman was there to look over the shape of the vehicle and had with him a statement from SST (not a court or repossession letter) with the back due balance that I owed. I explained that I had just made a payment two days ago and that there was no way for me to make another payment. The agent just simply told me that they dont care about some sob story they are just doing there job and from what their records showed I was 5 months behind. When I asked if I could have a hard copy of my records the agent diverted and said oh wait youre only a month behind and that I they could not provide me with a record. All that they could do was provide me with a current statement. I informed the agent that my past statements were not current as they never showed my payments that were made as a credit towards the balance. The gentleman that came to inspect my vehicle took pictures and had me sign a statement that said he was there (I suspect so he could get paid by SST) and then drove off never to be seen again.
Originally this loan was to be only a 6year loan. It has now turned into an 8year loan due to poor record keeping on SSTs part. I have tried to fight this with SST but of course being a consumer I have not gotten very far. This loan was originally for a rough amount of 26K by the end of the loan I will have paid more then 30K because of mistakes made on SSTs behalf. HARD TO WORK WITH This company is not willing to work with you to make paying any form of loan off an easy one. Usually most good companies will work with you to accommodate you (the consumer) so that you can pay back the loaned money in a timely manner.
Fees, fees, fees:
This company has fees for everything. It isnt bad enough that this company cant keep there records straight on top of it they have a fee for everything.including but not limited to the following: automatic payments, phone payments, extra statements, certain customer service issues, and final pay off balance inquiries.
Unprofessional:
I have heard of some companies that are tough when it comes to customer service but SST takes first place for being the worst in every category.
First, off there will often be very long wait times if you are inquiring about anything. I was on hold once for over an hour.
Second, you can count on at least one time being spoken too in a rude manner as if you are a problem to them.
Third, the representatives are not afraid to argue with you until you get so frustrated that you just hang up.
Fourth, if you ask for a statement you may or may not receive one and if you do you cant trust it will be up to date.
Fifth, if you are using the on-line service center be prepared to never see an updated statement. SST does not think they should update there electronic statements. Also you dont have 24hr access as you might think as the servers tend to be updated on a nightly basis and you never know if they will come back up. I couldnt get into my account for over two weeks because I was told they were having a system upgrade. This has happened more then once and the reasons very as to why they are down so long. Oh and if you have a question about your account you have to call directly as they will not answer anything through e-mail even thought the site says to contact them via e-mail if you have a question.
Finally you might be tempted to ask for a manager or supervisor only to find out that they are not around. I have never been able to talk to a supervisor.
Greed:
SST is obviously all about the money and nothing else. There slogan says that they are Excellent in Third-Party Servicing this might be true for the company that hires them to handle there accounts, because SST will most certainly make them money by harassing the consumer and having poor records and thus overcharging the consumer. However if my company had an account being handled by SST I would be embarrassed at how my customers were being treated.
It is amazing that this company has not had a class action lawsuit brought against them or an investigation done on there business practices as I am sure there would be great opportunities for those willing to take on such a feat. Bottom line stay away from this company and pass it on!!!
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