oh god i get that macys one at least 3 times a week.
i love the collectors. because they dont get paid unless you pay them, but there isnt anything that says you have to pay them and you go direct to the company you owe money to. LOL
i havent had one in years though.
i think my favourite one was with one of those chain health clubs. i signed up when i was 12 - no adult signing, my mom didnt know. i just signed up and they guy who sold it to me was probably only 18 himself and was working commission. i went for a few years and paid my monthly dues. when i stopped going, i stopped paying. i get a call about a year later...
collector - can i speak with mrs tiana thompson (i'm 16 or so).
me - i'm not married
collector - humm, i'm calling regarding an outstanding debt with so n so health club.
me - ok.
collector - you havent paid in over a year and you owe +/- 1200 with interest
me - and?
collector - i'm calling to set up a payment plan
me- i dont have to pay
collector - pardon? you have an outstanding debt and you signed a contract you are obligated to repay this money
me- what contract?
collector - (getting really upset with me at this point) proceeds to explain how i signed a contract and agreed to pay and so on for about 10 min
me - after he finished telling me about this contract, i pause for a moment and say. the contract doesnt apply
collector - rants for a few more moments.
i decide to let the poor guy in on why the contract was not legally binding... gotta love grade 12 law class
me- i agree i did sign a contract, however i cannot be held legally responsible for complying with the conditions
collector - how's that?
me- i was 12
collector - what?
me - i'm 16, i signed the contract 4 years ago. i was 12. there is no parental signature on the contact. i was and still am a minor. i cannot legally enter into a binding contract and be held accountable, my birthday is on the membership, feel free to look up civil contracts... so they can eat the debt, besides, i havent been in a year.
collector - silence. i will notify the health club and have your membership cancelled.
me - i did that a year ago but thanks.
i dont think he was very happy about that but never got a call back.
had the same thing happen with my provinical medical plan when i was 17. gave them the same speech and added on that i was an orphaned dependant minor who's mother was unemployed and earnings were below the poverty line (on the books)