The American Repossessor

Just like the 2 million people that have been evacuated from the shores of the Louisiana coast, I cannot believe that they are being hit, yet again, with another horrendous storm in such a short period of time.  Gustav, it would seem is hell-bent to cause at least the same damage as Katrina did, but this time with fingers crossed and prayers, that most people will be safe and lives will not be at stake as they were previously.  I cannot begin to comprehend what the residents from these areas and indeed, the surrounding States are going through, having seen firsthand on numerous occasions, what devastation Katrina left behind.  Within that populous are many of our colleagues and your competitors, and it is during these times, that nothing should stand in the way of helping our fellow human being – nothing!

As intimated further within this note, please read my article ‘You just never know’ as it relates to supporting those within our industry that are less fortunate than us and the Gustav experience, will no doubt leave many floundering and not sure what to do.  You can help.  The Recovery Agents Benefits Fund is out there to help anyone and everyone within the industry as outlined by RSIG’s definition.  It now needs you to help – big time!

As this is a natural disaster phenomenon, it of course holds no responsibility or accountability for it’s actions and therefore, we know that it basically can do what it wants and we have no control whatsoever over it and never will.  So please, keep our fellow man/woman  in your thoughts and prayers and let’s not forget, what unfortunately many have, what could re-occur yet again.

We go from this to the norm of life as no matter what happens, we cannot change the face of time and life goes on.

We are on the last stretch of the year before we get to the Yuletide season and it will be here before we know it!  There is no doubt that the retail sector will be prepared for the onslaught of Christmas shopping in hopes that they can improve consumer spending by providing the end-user with all the services and products that they want.

Are we ready to give our clients what they want and need, even more than normal?  I would say not for the most part and I can make that statement based on my recent experience of attending a lender conference with some of my clients, as one of the major complaints (amongst others) was still the fact that the majority of repossession companies do not know how to provide good updates.

Watch this space, as I have a solution to that problem and I will let you know more about that in the near future, but in the meantime, listen to what your clients are asking you to do, as there is a reason for all that they ask.  In some instances, you may not completely understand some of their requirements and indeed you may not agree with them – either or, it makes no difference as  you had the choice as to whether or not you wanted them as a client.  Now you have them – give them what they want, or more to the point, what they pay for!

And yet again, it would seem that many repossession company owners still do not understand what the phrase ‘business casual’ means and turn up in jeans, wrinkled t-shirts and the inevitable baseball cap!  I mean come on, this is a business conference that several lenders attended and indeed, participated.  It’s not a difficult concept to grasp and unfortunately it reflects badly on those repossession company owners that really do understand that it means to be professional.  “You only get one chance at a first impression” and while we should not “judge a book by its cover’, unfortunately it is human nature to do just that.  For every repossession company looking to do business with clients such as those at the conference, there are a plethora of repossession companies waiting in the wings, ready to pounce on your business!

During the month of August, one of our fellow repossessors, a young one at that, died suddenly.  Unfortunately, Chris was not prepared for that (I mean, how many of us are?), as he did not have life/burial insurance.  I ask you to read the content of my article for this month as the information within it, is very pertinent to this and ask that you please consider contributing to the Recovery Agents Benefits Fund, (ran by RSIG for the benefit of the Repossession Industry), on a regular basis – and you will see why!

There is an old saying, which is so very true and one that we really don’t think of for ourselves…..”THERE FOR THE GRACE OF GOD, GO I! “

One day, we might need that help…..you just never know!

Until next month, I wish you a prosperous, busy time.

Susan