I have been renting a stove from Rent A Center for almost 2 years. I owe less than $300 on it. I have been late on occasion, up until early Nov. but sometimes paid in advance.
I lost my job in early November, but made every effort to pay. Answered all calls and made arrangements. I fell 2 weeks behind (about $30 and change) in late January.
The store sent their delivery people to my house. I wasn't home. My housemate retrieved a hang tag from the door knob. It says "Sorry we missed you" Their are spaces on the tag that were filled in - date, time and who to call. At the bottom is the printed phone number. Around the phone number, the worker wrote in their own hand "You are 2 weeks behind, you must call to pay or arrange pickup".
This is NY state. NY state is one of the states where original creditors must follow most of the FDCPA. Part of that is to not leave financial or debt information in public or send that information on a post card, etc. This definitely qualifies.
I called rent a center right away and spoke to the manager, "Ryan". He apologized and said he would 'educate' the delivery personne'. I said that sorry was not enough, that they had broken the law and that rent a center was responsible. I stated that I would like rent a center to contact my attorney. I provided my attorney's information. 2 days later, I was called about my payment an stated that no one had contacted my attorney. Ryan stated that the district manager was there in the store and my attorney could call there. I called my attorney, luckily she was available. She called the store and briefly talked to the district manager who told her that either his boss or an attorney would call her back.
Being reasonably certain that this would be dealt with, I paid what I owed.
Before making the payment, I spoke to the manager, Ryan, on the phone and he asked me if, since I was represented by an attorney that it is the attorney they should call in the future, instead of me, I said yes.
My next due was february 11th. No call to my attorney. On the 12th, Ryan caled me. I told him I was waiting for someont to call my attorney or at least get me contact information that I could give to my attorney. He argued with me and said they didn't have to call my attorney. I said that I am stating, right now, that I am represented by an attorney in regard to any dealings with rent a center and someone needs to call my attorney and to not call me anymore. He argued, I hung up.
Every day since then that store has left me voicemails 1-2x per day.
Today, I answered the phone when rent a center called. I calmly tried to explain to a 'Tom' I beleive, that I am represented by counsel and my attorney is to be called. He argued with me, he stated his district manager was there saying they didn't have to call my attorney. I hung up.
Rent a center called right back using 'call id block' (when every time their number came up - this time it came up 'private call). I answered, it was the same rep. I told him again, clearly, that I am represented by counsel and you have her phone number. I hung up.
Rent a center called back again. I told them to stop and hung up.
I was really shaken by this time. I dialed my atotrney. As I was leaving a voicemail for her, rent a center's number showed as trying to call on my second line. I ignored it.
All these calls in about 12-14 minutes.
20 minutes later, I hear the beeps of a large truck backing into my driveway.
It was rent a center. I ignored as they knocked for 10 minutes and even TRIED THE DOOR HANDLE. That is a little scary.
I owe them as if this moment $62 and change. I have the money. I am only asking for a simple call to my attorney.
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