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Consumer Is A Bad Word

By Cathy Moran, Esq. Filed Under: Bankruptcy Practice

I’m not usually at a loss for words, but I’m certainly less than excited about the word “consumer”.

As a moniker for our potential clients, it’s inadequate.  After all, how perverse to identify them by a trait we’d like to change, consuming.

Yet, I’m struggling for another word.  “Debtors”  is a word the public confuses with “creditors”.  “Individuals” is insipid, and “families” excludes the single.

So, anyone got a nomination for a better word to describe the people we want to serve?

Image © Anson-Fotolia.com.

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Filed Under: Bankruptcy Practice

Comments

  1. ConsumerBKCounseling says

    November 15, 2011 at 2:13 pm

    Client? Patron? End User? That’s a tough one but we do agree!!

  2. Susanne Robicsek says

    November 15, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    I don’t like Consumers or Debtors either, since it doesn’t adequately represent the relationship we have with them.  Debtors, in the context of a bankruptcy makes sense but you are right that people mix the term up with their debts all the time. 

    How about Clients.  Customers.  John and Jane. 

  3. Edward Sager says

    November 16, 2011 at 1:56 am

    Petitioner(s).

  4. Doug Depew says

    November 17, 2011 at 12:58 am

    Sometimes keeping it simple is best. Perhaps you may have suggested a
    good option in your last sentence  “So, anyone got a nomination for a
    better word to describe the people we want to serve?”  How about
    “people”. We help people – individuals, couples and families.

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