Editor’s Note: Debt Review Is Weird

Debt review is weird.

To be successful, a Debt Counsellor has to help every one of their clients until they no longer need their services. Once they have finished helping you, they hope to never see you again. No repeat business if possible.

What a funny thing.

I recently attended a large gathering of Debt Counsellors, and as always, I was moved by their passion for helping people. Surrounded by 200 other Debt Counsellors at the DCASA conference, it was great to spend time with people who care, including the various bank departments who attended who support the debt review process within their corporations.

I also got to spend time with 2 groups of Debt Counsellors (One in Gauteng and one in Cape Town). We discussed how to get more clients through the doors each month. It was nice to see how each Debt Counsellor knows their capacity and would love to help a reasonable number of new people each month. Finding clients for any business is not a straightforward process, and debt review is one of those things that people should not undertake lightly. It is a serious process, with serious, life changing, consequences. It can be tricky to get new clients without breaking the bank on advertising etc.

Recently, DCASA even held a Golf Day to raise funds to support consumers.

What I saw at the Workshops, Golf day and at the Conference is, sure, these are business people (who have bills to pay), but at the heart of it, most DC’s see themselves as consumer rights’ advocates. They really love their clients and want to help them succeed at becoming debt free.  

This has kept many of them in a tough industry that has progressively become less and less sustainable (due to no fee adjustments for years and years). Instead, these people are pushing through the pain and trying to give their clients a chance at a happy financial future.

‘If you are currently in debt review, you have one of these special people in your corner, fighting for you in ways they never tell you about’

If you are currently in debt review, you have one of these special people in your corner, fighting for you in ways they never tell you about. People who spend time in associations, meetings, boardrooms, behind the scenes meetings with credit providers, regulators and others to try and protect your rights.  All this effort to help you to have the best chance at getting through the debt review process.

One area they will fight for you is if you have been given credit recklessly. And when they find it, they know they have a massive fight on their hands. It will take days, weeks or months to help set matter straight (more about how that happens in this issue). And they will put in all that time and effort for R1500 or less.

This is why we love being involved in the Debt Review Awards process. It helps to shine a light on all the hard work being done by these great people. Be sure to check out the update about the coming event in mid-October.

‘They are helping every single one of their clients until they no longer need their services’

So, while you read this issue, spare a thought for your Debt Counsellor; they do this job not to get rich, but to help you. They fight to bring balance to the power imbalance between giant banks and lowly consumers. They are working after hours, tirelessly, for a pittance, to assist you. They are helping every single one of their clients until they no longer need their services.

Why?

Because they want to see you succeed and become debt free.