help with a debt...please?

angelcakes_smw

Hello, I was wondering if I could get some advice on how best to deal with some debts I have. I received two letters the other day from the same company, Wescot, regarding two different debts I have from last year (which I, shamefully, forgot about :eek:). I have no problems in paying it back, I'm just a little skint at the moment as I am a student, as is my partner and we have two small children. I am just a little unsure as to how to go about arranging to pay them, I have heard so many bad stories about making arrangements over the phone and then things going wrong but if you have a deadline that they've set to arrange something with them then surely this is the most efficient way of sorting things out? I was wondering, should I ring them and make an arrangement and then write them a letter confirming what was said or do I just write a letter and not bother to phone them? Also, I have heard that you should always get proof of payment, what exactly counts as proof of payment? These may seem like simple questions, I'm sorry if they are, my head is just a little allover the place at the moment.

TIA

Tixy

For the least stress option I would write to them not phone.
If you phone they almost certainly will be rude, condenscending and threatening.
(If you do decide to phone anyway make sure you are feeling robust)

In your letter I would set out an repayment plan that is afforable to you and ask for their bank details so that you can set up a standing order - thats the safest way to pay them. (I also wouldn't be too concerned if your letter gets there a day after the deadline - meet it if you can but if you can't I'd still go for the letter option personally).

PNPSUKNET

their deadlines are ment to panic you into responding, I would write to them never phone as people are trained toget you to pay

nurse-money

Dont believe a word they say on the phone...They promised me a settlement figure and then sent me threating letter after not making full payment. I told them I would pay when i got the arrangement I made on the phone in writing, yet they never sent it, like they said they would.
I'm waiting for them to respond to my letter of full and final settlement letter at present...

angelcakes_smw

do you know where I could find a template letter of some kind to send?

nolongerindenial

Always work in writing with any debt company

I am now at the point where when I answer the phone to one of them, I just say I only deal with my debts in a method I can admit in court, as such I require all correspondence in writing and do not see the point wasting both of our valuable time discussing this matter further and will terminate the call.

kate252

just get tht letter out angel cake-scribble it on the back of a crisp packet if you have to- its still valid-point is get it done quick as poss- and send thm some money son as poss- as ong sa you are paying some it covers your back somewhat- if they took you to court for examle you could sy t the judge- look ive been trying to pay them- what are they moaning about?
you could send them a beak down of your income and outgoings too to explain why they cant be paid in full- that also tells any future judge that youve done what you can and thats all any court would ask
some creditors will never be satisfied and they will alwasy be hard to deal with- youve just got to tell them thats all they are getting and if its not good enough they can take it further.
if they do you deal with that when it comes up-but if you dont send them some money you have risk of all srts of things hapening- try to send em as much and regular. get the !!!!!!s off your back

Tixy

Hi

None of these are exactly what you want but they are the closet I can find at this time of night! They might help a little with the sort of thing to put in a letter

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/3006_96551.pdf

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/6977_98611.pdf

http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/3458_98941.pdf

angelcakes_smw

thank you, you have all been so helpful just one last quick q though....is it best to send it recorded delivery or can I just use a normal 1st class stamp? it's so expensive to post these days! lol