07.25.2002, 19:38
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Senior Member
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Join Date: Nov 2001
Posts: 931
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Re: Goodwill Letter evolution
Quote:
Originally posted by marci
Randy, thank you for your kind post. With a post this generous, I would be remiss not to respond with thanks - and indeed, I am sorry that I have waited over a week to reply as it is.
As far as a "mysterious personality" leading me to use "honey" with the creditors, I credit my approach with the wisdom offered in the Tanach (from which the term easier to draw flies with honey than with vinegar originates) and in the gospel of Matthew (chap. 5, v. 25).
While Christianity does not condone lying to get out of a tough situation (i.e. saying "not mine" on a trade that is indeed mine), it's basic model is admitting one's own guilt in a screw up and readily accepting mercy from the penalty of that screw up (i.e. my reasoning behind the goodwill). The credit reporting game may be unfair (it is) and creditors may be unethical in business practices (they are), but if I choose to play the credit game (which I do), then I am subject to the consequences of bad financial decisions, which may include 7 years of a negative trade. I won't connive or demand my way out of bad credit that is legitimately mine, but I will take advantage of a creditor's willingness to let bygones be bygones. Hence, the formation of my goodwill letter.
As it is, the "goodwill" letter or phone call has resulted in the majority of my 13 negative deletions (excepting student loans, which were taken care of by the Rehab Act). As a result, I have the benefit of nearly clean reports and a clean conscience when I sleep at night (this is far more important than a clean credit report to me).
I'm sure Sigmund Freud would be alarmed at my dependence on such a "mysterious personality" as the God of Israel, and would readily submit me to a series of psychological tests for delusional beliefs if he could. However, I'll continue to believe that theism is the best set of glasses through which I will view the world and, thus, the way I deal with my credit issues.
Does this answer still qualify me for a "longitudinal personality study"? :-)
Thanks again for the nice synopsis of the goodwill letter evolution...
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Great post Marci.
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