More capquest help please!

damnsam

Hi all.

I've been doing well with my debts, but then I got a letter from Capquest a few weeks ago.

I have a new look card, when I moved last year I completely forgot about it. I owe about £180.

I rang capquest last Thursday and said I couldn't afford to pay the whole amount, but could pay £50 now and then do monthly installments till it was gone.
The guy on the phone asked me if I'd tried to get the money, and I said there was no way of me getting it.
He then asked what avenues I'd tried, and I told him that it wasn't any of his business but all they needed to know was that I cannot get the money.
He said it was there business, and that he would take the £50 payment and then give me a few days to find the rest, after which I could ring back and he would 'see what he could do' if I couldn't find it. I told him then and there that I wouldn't be able to get it, but paid them £50 and left it.

I was meant to ring back on Monday but haven't as I don't have a clue how to approach this.
I want to pay it and am happy to split the last amount into 3 months payments, but they didn't seem to want to do this. He said new look won't accept it.

Any advice guys? I'm quite worried about this....I was thinking of just not contacting them again till payday and then giving them another £50, but am worried bailiffs might turn up....

Sorry for the ramble, and for a topic that I know has been covered probably £100 times already.

DarkConvict

Its none of there business to ask how you plan to fund it, and they should not request to do things such as ask friends, sell items, take out a loan etc.

As you have knowledged this debt, i would just tell them you will only communicate in writing as debt collectors aren't nice to deal with on he phone and pressure you for commitments. There is a template for communication in writing somewhere. And deal with it from there.

They should not ask you to pay more than you can afford, do a SOA, and divide your available surplus between your creditors and show them the amount you can pay per month. All they want is money and will often go though rather unethical nearly on illegal methods to get it.

damnsam

Thank you. I've had a nose through the template letters thread.

Luckily I refused to give them my phone number so they haven't been ringing me, and hopefully won't unless they managed to get it when I rang them...

Should I write to them telling them I'll pay them a set amount each month for the next 3 months?

DarkConvict

As im new i wouldn't go on my advice alone, if you don't get much of a reply from here (as it is late check again tomorrow ) try these for free professional advice

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/
http://www.cccs.co.uk/
http://www.payplan.com/
http://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/

You don't seem to have a big debt problem but just a bit of advice so it might be a long call but it is free, and is great advice. I've rang them for a friend before so i can ensure you its not scary.

But what from what i can remember, a letter detailing how you plan to pay the debt is the way to go, and request there agreement and their bank details to begin payment. You do need to show why you are paying in parts and why it is that amount, i.e. (income-outgoing) = surplus
surplus / debts = amount you can pay per month to a creditor.

DarkConvict

Having a read though this, http://www.oft.gov.uk/shared_oft/business_leaflets/consumer_credit/oft664.pdf

Page 6 might be worth a read to you.

damnsam

Thank you! I'll have a read now.

MrMedway

Capquest are a nightmare. But normally work outside their legal limits. I would as above only communicate in writing and not give them any payment details over the phone.

If you feel threatened by their approach/manner you can report them to OFT.

In the mean time, email then via [EMAIL="legal@capquestco.com"]legal@capquestco.com[/EMAIL] ,its a lot cheaper than the phoneline and you have a record of what was said and when

RAS

Hi

How did you pay them. If you used a credit card or debit card, they may just take the money without asking you.

damnsam

Hi,

I paid by debit card.

But there is literally no money in there now, i couldn't really afford the £50 anyway, so if they tried to do another card payment it would be rejected.