CapQuest - Argos Loan

Oxid3

Hi,

My partner bought an xbox 360 on finance from Argos about 3 years ago, and was paying it off by direct debit until she changed banks and forgot to get it set up again.

She has recently moved and CapQuest have sent a letter requesting £326 instantly before they pass it to theirs solicitors. My partner just rung the company to try and arrange a payment schedule with them but they refused and said the total has to be paid within 2 days.

My partner is on benefits so she is not able to do this, and the woman on the phone even said that my partner was lying about the amount of benefits my partner got.

Is this usual for them (I have heard about their bullying tactics), and as they wont accept a monthly direct debit how is my partner meant to get out of this mess?

Any help would be appreciated.

Regards.

mr.ton

For anyone on benefits - £1 per month is more than enough.
Report Capquest to the OFT & trading standards if they dont go away...

Oxid3

My partner tried to set up a £5 a month repayment with them, but they declined on the spot and said they wanted it in full without fail.

mr.ton

Its not for them to say what they will or wont accept - you are the boss of them, not the other way round - they will accept what you offer in a like it or lump it sort of way...

Oxid3

So just leave it then? and see how long it is till they accept the repayments?

What if they start threatening door visits etc. ?

mr.ton

Only those authorised by a court have the right to visit you at home - DCA's have as much authority as the milkman quite frankly.
Oh & some furthur advice - stop phoning them & refuse to answer security questions if they phone you - they will just say anything to squeeze money out of you.
They have no legal authority to any money off you = simple as.
Only a county court has this power.
Report Capquest to the authorities if they refuse to go away.

Oxid3

Alright cheers. Will ask her to log all calls etc. and see if we can do them for harassment.

Thanks for your help.

NorthernLas

Oxid - Ideally your partner needs to agree a payment schedule that works for her. Only she can say how much she can afford and if she cannot afford what is asked then she needs to tell them.

It is best to write to them and offer a payment rather than simply ignoring the situation. Talking to them on the phone is not advised since phone calls can be forgotten and she can end up agreeing to more than she is able to. Offering some payment shows a willingness to pay, which from what you have said is what she wants to do anyway.

National Debtline have some letters that can be used, see the link for an example http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/temp/5956_29501.pdf. Alternatively the CAB may be able to help.

Kayleighpea

Hi Oxid, I would second what NorthernLas says about writing to them. I have just recently been dealing with CapQuest regarding an old Natwest overdraft and refused to speak to them on the phone as you have no proof of what has and hasn't been said.

I wrote to them explaining that I am on a low income and therefore cannot pay the full amount or even a partial lump sum, but if they were in agreement I would be willing to pay £x per month. I even told them what day I would pay it on due to the date my wages go in.

Don't let them bully! Tell them exactly what you are prepared to give and when and they will have to come back in agreement.