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Shop Direct / Littlewoods

I wrote on here some weeks / months ago regarding my Littlewoods account.

They kept charging me £12 for them 'trying to contact me', and a further £12 for missed / late payments.

I have seen on here that people got these charges back, and I wanted to do the same. I wrote to Littlewoods, but they simply stated that their charges are fair.

I owe them £680, of which £240 is made of these £12 charges.
This is a debt, which I am currently paying off, but is it too late to get these charges back? I feel that this £240 is unreasonable, and I want this paid off ASAP, as I am going to need to get a loan in 2 years or so to pay for my Legal Practice Course - so I need a better credit rating.

Any help would be appreciated greatly :)
SAVINGS: £63.86 // £3,000

Comments

  • Charges like that are completely unreasonable. Whatever you actually owe, consider that your debt and aim to pay it off. Don't argue with them, just send them a letter stating that you are not going to pay the charges, and that if they insist that they must be paid, they should start legal proceedings (whereupon if they are foolish enough to do so, you will easily win). As long as you dispute the debt, (and if taken to court it is not the case that you lose AND fail to pay - unlikely) then none of this will harm your credit rating.

    B
    B.A - Shut up fool!
  • I made an agreement to pay them £62 a month to pay off the debt, which is only £450. I made this agreement 2/3 days ago.

    Shall I send them a letter telling them that I'm not going to pay for the £240 charges, but I will pay for the debt which I owe them. Will it hurt my credit rating if I send them this letter telling them to start legal proceedings if they want me to pay for the £240 charges?
    SAVINGS: £63.86 // £3,000
  • Provided you inform them that you are disputing the charges, there is no way they can harm your credit rating without a County Court Judgement (which they are hardly going to obtain). I would send them the letter and continue to pay off what you actually owe.

    B
    B.A - Shut up fool!
  • I have been checking my credit file and the account is not in default, but like, if I were to pay off just the £450 of the arrangement, won't it go on my file that I've not paid the other £240 and go in to default?

    I'm just so worried as I'm paying all my debts (they're only £1500 altogether). My file is better than it was a couple of months a go already, and with me moving it will only get better as I'll have bills to pay etc. I just worry too much I guess =/
    SAVINGS: £63.86 // £3,000
  • You're right, you are worrying far too much. As long as you dispute the charges with them, and demand that they try their luck in court, they will not be allowed to register a default with any CRA
    B.A - Shut up fool!
  • chanz4
    chanz4 Posts: 11,057 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    they will default you, the charges have been confirmed £12 to be okay.
    Don't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.
  • chanz4 wrote: »
    they will default you, the charges have been confirmed £12 to be okay.

    No that's not correct. The OP is allowed to charge Littlewoods £12 when she contacts them, but not the other way around.
    Sig to go here...
  • chanz4
    chanz4 Posts: 11,057 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper Xmas Saver!
    No that's not correct. The OP is allowed to charge Littlewoods £12 when she contacts them, but not the other way around.

    are you on medication?
    Don't put your trust into an Experian score - it is not a number any bank will ever use & it is generally a waste of money to purchase it. They are also selling you insurance you dont need.
  • chanz4 wrote: »
    are you on medication?

    I'll agree as far as to say that what ANF said was strangely worded, but I think I know what he was getting at. Suffice to say that he is correct, Littlewoods are not allowed to default someone for non-payment of made-up arbitrary charges. Failure to pay for services rendered maybe, but not for this...
    B.A - Shut up fool!
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