This Is Why We’re In A Recession, Part 2

(I support my colleagues in a call center who might get stuck on calls.)

Me: “Thank you for calling. This is [My Name]. How can I help you?”

Representative: “Hi, this is [Representative]. I have a question.” *gives me account information*

Me: “Okay, what is going on?”

Representative: “Okay the members, umm… I forgot… oh! He had a balance of $252.02 and made a $40 dollar payment. He doesn’t understand why, if he doesn’t use his card, why his payments keep going down lower. Umm, let me start over… I’m just confusing myself… He said his balance was at $250, he made a payment of $40, and he doesn’t really understand why his balance keeps getting lower if he isn’t using that card. It’s not because he’s not using it; it’s because he’s making a payment, right?”

Me: *making sure I heard the question correctly* “He says he doesn’t know why the balance is getting lower because he is not using it and making payments to it, right?”

Representative: “Right.”

Me: *trying not to sound sarcastic* “The reason it’s getting lower is because he isn’t using it and making payments.”

Representative: “I tried to explain that to him but he really doesn’t get it.”

Me: *starts to wonder where the math teachers are in the world*