Debt Management Company made me cry! What can I do?

Burlesque_Star

Hi Wannabe Debt Free-ers!:wave:

Through an unfortunate series of events a debt of mine of £1200 was passed onto a debt management agency in July, and, whilst I don't dispute this debt must be paid off, I am finding the company to be unneccessarily confusing & unpleasant to deal with.

The initial letter that I received from them clearly says that I must not be late on my monthly payments, but did not state a payment date.
I phoned to query this & a payment date was arranged verbally, with no written confirmation of the date.
In the six months I have been making monthly payments the date has, according to my notes, been changed by the company twice.

The first time the date changed I phoned to discuss this & was told I clearly didn't understand their policies, but they would not clarify.

The second time this happened I stated that I had kept a very clear record of my payments & I knew the date they were now quoting was incorrect. I said " I really don't want to argue about this but..", they actually cut me off in mid-sentence by saying "Good!" & hanging up!
I was so humiliated by the whole experience I was in floods of tears on the bus home.

Both of these conversations were with the same member of staff, who seems to go out of his way to be rude. I appreciate it can't be a fun job to have, so I always try to be polite & straight forward when I call. Isn't that the least I can expect back?

I have to make about 6 further payments, and I want to make this as painless as possible.
First of all, can I insist on having a payment date &/or statement of balance in writing?
Secondly, can I refuse to deal with this difficult member of staff?
Finally, is it worth making a formal complaint & should I wait until I'm fully paid off to do this?

Any help and advice would be gratefully received.

cempabunny

can't give you any practical advice about how to deal with them but can send you best wishes and hope you feel OK no.

Don't let it get you down XX

yung

Welcome to the DFW Forum sorry about your predicament, I don't know what advise to give on this subject, but other folks be be along to give you some help.:grouphug:

Donedoingdebt

I don't mean to sound picky, but this sounds like a "Debt Collection Agency" that you're dealing with, not a "Debt Management Company" & sometimes some of these can be right !"£$%^&* to deal with. As others here will tell you, if they're rude then refuse to discuss anything further & request that all future communication is dealt with in writing. They will probably try & ignore this request but, as you've only 6 more payments left that you've agreed to then I think I would just keep my head down, pay what you've agreed & no more (ie charges that they may try & add) & you'll soon get them off your backs. Don't take it personally, you're just another punter they can try & screw & then they'll move on to some other unfortunate. You can make a formal complaint & request to deal with someone else but the chances are you'll be passed from pillar to post & cause yourself more stress than need be.

clarab_3

how about one last call to ask for details to set up a standing order?

Tell them the date you get paid and that a standing order will be set up with your bank for 2 days after payday each month for the next month. The phone your bank, give them the details and forget it. (appart from making sure the standing order is cancelled after 6 months) No talking to them ever again!

You will need their Sort code, account number, and a reference they use to identify you (usually customer number)

I pay a lot of my debts with collection agencies like this, and it works very well for me. I don'tlike phonecalls either!

raq

I felt like this a couple of months ago. One of the guys was so rude he just couldn't be bothered. I then put it in writing what I had to say but when I had a letter back I still had to ring them. When I did I asked to speak to a higher member of staff. Yet our other credit company was so lovely , he said at the end of the day what's the point in being nasty to everyone. I agree.

Keep your chin up and you'll get through this, believe me.