Ooo the bailiffs are coming, how exciting ANOTHER UPDATE!

Mrs_Arkwright

I've just had a heated discussion with a lovely lady from 'Debt Managers Ltd'.

I had a final bill from Britannia Music at the end of June, which I duly paid by return by cheque. Britannia cashed the cheque last week. However, between me sending the cheque and them cashing it, they referred me to the above debt collection agency, without, it seems, giving me a chance to pay.

The debt collection agency have now obviously added on their charges. I called them today to tell them I didn't owe Britannia any money as I had paid by return and they had cashed the cheque blah blah.

Basically the DCA are saying they were referred the case on the 24 July - I sent my cheque well before that - it's not my fault that Britannia took ages to cash it. I tried to explain that to the woman, who just repeated over and over 'you owe us the money'. After insisting I don't, she advised 'well we'll send our doorstep collectors round to see you then'.

I'm so looking forward to meeting them! However, I've never met one of these nice gents before - can anyone give me any advice as to what I should do to make their visit a happy one?

jessicamb

I've never had a visit from them either but I would suggest getting out to good china, put out a few doilies and get the tea and biscuits going..

Not.

I think just dont let them in the house if they do turn up.

Can you get a copy of the cheque from the bank - this will show you the date you wrote the cheque. Would the DCA accept this as proof that you paid before the account was passed over?

Mrs_Arkwright

jessicamb wrote:

I've never had a visit from them either but I would suggest getting out to good china, put out a few doilies and get the tea and biscuits going..

Not.

I think just dont let them in the house if they do turn up.

Can you get a copy of the cheque from the bank - this will show you the date you wrote the cheque. Would the DCA accept this as proof that you paid before the account was passed over?

It will probably cost me more to get a copy of the cheque than the DCA are asking for - their charge that they say I owe is fifteen quid.

jessicamb

I cant believe that they would send somebody round to your house for £15.

Its probably just a scare tactic.

Mrs_Arkwright

jessicamb wrote:

I cant believe that they would send somebody round to your house for £15.

Its probably just a scare tactic.

Thing is, it won't be just for 15 quid, because they'll add more fees on top for the privilege of coming to my house. So am I over a barrel?

And Britannia lazy layabouts don't work on the weekend, so I can't even phone them and tell them to sort it out.

joanne0620

I personally would just tell whoever comes to your door to take it up with Britannia, you know you've paid them, Britannia know they've been paid, the communication breakdown is between Britannia & the DCA and not your fault!

spud30

Mrs_Arkwright wrote:

It will probably cost me more to get a copy of the cheque than the DCA are asking for - their charge that they say I owe is fifteen quid.

I just had to get a copy of a cheque.

The cost was £5 and it took 3 weeks to arrive.

Mrs_Arkwright

joanne0620 wrote:

I personally would just tell whoever comes to your door to take it up with Britannia, you know you've paid them, Britannia know they've been paid, the communication breakdown is between Britannia & the DCA and not your fault!

I said to her to take it up with Britannia, but she refused and said it's nothing to do with them any more and I owe the money to the DCA.

I'm torn - is it more hassle than it's worth, should I just cough up the fifteen quid? I paid the bill, but they're arguing that in between me sending it and them receiving it is when it was referred to them, so they can still make their charge? I don't know what to do. The thought of paying it is sticking in my throat, but do I need weeks of hassle - especially as I'm also going to have to go to court about the uninsured silly mare that drove into me a few weeks ago.

On the other hand, that is what the DCA thrives on - people not taking them to task because it's too much hassle.

WHY OH WHY can't I have a week where nothing at all happens? Just a boring, simple, straightforward week - please?

MinnieSpender

Act like a crazy. Backcomb your hair, titter loudly and fling pennies at them. They'll soon go away.

Mrs_Arkwright

MinnieSpender wrote:

Act like a crazy. Backcomb your hair, titter loudly and fling pennies at them. They'll soon go away.

Just be myself, then?

Mrs_Arkwright

Mmmm just looking at some stuff on the net - a bailiff is not the same as a Debt Collection person - a bailiff is sent by the court - and as far as I'm aware this 'debt' hasn't gone to court

http://www.payplan.com/debt-library/bailiffs-bailiff-law.php?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=128506

although I assume the company will still add charges on if they send someone out?