Littlewoods debt collection - Advice please

sexki11en

Long story but 5 years (or so) ago, I ordered a duvet cover set from Littlewoods. I forgot all about it to be honest until about 4 months later, I recieved a bill from them demanding payment. I had never received the item.

I phoned customer service who said it had been signed for I asked her to find out by whom and she couldn't tell me. She did say that the driver noted he'd left it with a neighbour (in my old neighbourhood :eek: ) and he hadn't even put a card through the door saying this. Aparrently it was up to me to report it not delivered and the time had passed for me to do that!!!

Obviously I refused to pay - told them it was up to them if their drivers are going to leave parcels with someone else - I didn't sign for it and the signature they had was not mine (but they wouldn't tell me whose it was) - i'm not paying it. They said they would pursue it by any means necessary.

Forward 5 years I get a debt collection letter through the post today for £177!!! (the original items were about £40)

Can anyone tell me what to do? I can scrape the money together but it's principle - I never received the items and Littlewoods know this, so why the hell should I pay for them?

The debt company have no interest in the fact I never received the items (and at the time they admitted it hadn't been left with me) and i'm damn sure Littlewoods won't have records that far back - will they?

How do I sort this out after all this time?

I am SO angry

SK x

geordie_joe

Well I wouldn't pay them anything, they will have to prove you received the item before they can prove you owe them money.

Try writing to Littlewoods and getting them to put in writing that the item was left with a neighbour and no card was left with you.

sexki11en

geordie_joe wrote: »

Well I wouldn't pay them anything, they will have to prove you received the item before they can prove you owe them money.

Try writing to Littlewoods and getting them to put in writing that the item was left with a neighbour and no card was left with you.

I'm not sure after 5 years they'll even have records still that that was what happened

SK x

fairydiamond

I wouldn't pay it. You never received the item, simple as that.

tyllwyd

I think you have to accept responsibility - you knew that you had placed an order, so when it didn't arrive, why didn't you chase it up? By leaving it until months later when the bill arrived before you complained, as far as they are concerned the goods were delivered safely, and you haven't got any proof that they weren't.

max2009

tyllwyd wrote: »

and you haven't got any proof that they weren't.

It is up to littlewoods to prove they were delivered no matter how long it was left to be reported.

Sol00

sexki11en wrote: »

I'm not sure after 5 years they'll even have records still that that was what happened

SK x

Sexkii11en, don't pay it! As other members have said, you didn't receive the item so why would you pay?

Write a letter and send it recorded to the DCA advising that this debt is in dispute. Advise that you never received the item and that you want proof of delivery. They will then contact Littlewoods on your behalf and that will cut out some of the hassle.

Littlewoods will either close the account (if they don't have the record), or provide the signature of your old neighbour. In this case you advise that it is not your signature and you did not receive the item, therefore, you would like the account closed.

Remember to send everything recorded though for proof that you have tried to investigate this.

sexki11en

Sol00 wrote: »

Sexkii11en, don't pay it! As other members have said, you didn't receive the item so why would you pay?

Write a letter and send it recorded to the DCA advising that this debt is in dispute. Advise that you never received the item and that you want proof of delivery. They will then contact Littlewoods on your behalf and that will cut out some of the hassle.

Littlewoods will either close the account (if they don't have the record), or provide the signature of your old neighbour. In this case you advise that it is not your signature and you did not receive the item, therefore, you would like the account closed.

Remember to send everything recorded though for proof that you have tried to investigate this.

Thank you. I wasn't sure who on earth to contact, but I will do as you have advised and write, recorded delivery and see what happens. Should I ask for a reply to me within a set date? I don't want to write, hear nothing, assume all is OK again and a few months down the line, it's sold onto a different debt collection agency and off we go again.

Thanks again for your advice.

SK x

sexki11en

This is a letter I have drafted to go off tomorrow - thoughts welcomed....

Ref: xxxxxx


Dear Sirs,

Ref your letter dated 18th March 2009 I am writing to dispute this debt. Littlewoods delivered an item (Duvet covers worth around £40) to my neighbours property instead of mine and didn’t leave a card through my door to say where it was. I assumed it had not been delivered. I advised them of this at the time and they claim they were unable to send proof of signature or even to tell me which address it had been left at!

I am writing to advise that I will not pay this debt as it stands currently, as I was never in receipt of the items. Littlewoods have a signature which is not mine to prove that the item was not left in my possession. I would like proof of delivery sent to me before I will do anything further.

I would like a written response to this matter by Friday 10th April 2009

Yours Sincerely
My Name

Sol00

Hi,

I wouldn't state a date for reply because, to be honest, they'll prob not respond by then anyway. As long as it's recorded ten you have proof of postage.

The letter is fine. I'm not sure if you need to go into as much detail though, but it states your case.

sexki11en

Sol00 wrote: »

Hi,

I wouldn't state a date for reply because, to be honest, they'll prob not respond by then anyway. As long as it's recorded ten you have proof of postage.

The letter is fine. I'm not sure if you need to go into as much detail though, but it states your case.

Thanks Sol00. I'll ammend it and send tomorrow. I also posted a complaint through complain online.com direct to Littlewoods for what it's worth.

SK x