reliable collections/ fashion world

Any advice would be gratefully appreciated.
I had an account with fashion world and due to be being made redundant i couldnt pay the balance. I was paying a small amount each month.
It then was passed to reliable collections. I have been in contact with them by letter numerous times but never recieved a reply, i have also emailed them but again no reply. I wont ring them as the advisors are soooooooooooo rude!
I was paying £10 per month by direct debit, byt as they wanted payment every 28 days they were putting£12 interest each month and £25 per month on charges for late payment!! The balance was £1000 its now £3000 !!! I have asked them to stop the interest and reimburse all charges but they wont reply. I just dont know what to do????????
Bristolgirl76 :wave:
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Comments

  • happy_bunny_2
    happy_bunny_2 Posts: 4,488 Forumite
    Complaint in writing signed for. Those charges are in my opinion a joke. No reply after 8 weeks you can take to FOS. same if you don't like their final response.

    If you consider you have already made a complaint then ring FOS for advice.

    When did you lat pay/acknowledge debt in writing?

    How old is the account? Maybe consider a CCA request if not taken out say after 2007
    :beer:
  • lindann_2
    lindann_2 Posts: 272 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    edited 14 August 2012 at 4:37PM
    Please note that the £12.00 will be charges not interest if payments not got before the 28 days are up, plus admin fees, l was with simply be, they was terrible phoning nearly every day, even on Sunday. so l reported them to Oft, some things charges was refunded, also what happen to you also happened to my hubby.. it soon amounts up. again checking figures, they did not match up so got most of charges interest refunded. When l complained also reporting them to Oft. for harassment

    I would not use direct debt, because of the 28 day thingy.. I would pay it over the counter at your bank, or postal order.. making sure of the time it reaches the account, well within this date.
    Do all things in writing, keep copy if poss send it registered post.. we did get lot of charges off. IF you can match up payments, date, like this
    13/2/00 paid at bank
    20/2/00 reached company
    1/3/00 when statement date of needing to pay by.. you will soon see if charges should been applied correctly also doing this you will not incurred any more charges etc.. watch out for bank holidays or weekend for payments to reach the company

    also if you are on a dmp they will refuse to talk to your dmp company, they are economical with the truth. (porkies or lies). When they say they do not communicate when they actually do.. good luck with your problems with them
  • Thank you for all this info its very helpful. I recived a email back from them today i told them i was reporting them to the oft and that i want all charges and interest reimbursed. They didnt answer any of my questions. They just said they cant stop any action.and the account will be sent to a debt collector! I always pay by direct debit. And have not missed one payment. Believe it or not i recieved a letter from them today to say possible court action!!!!!!!! And i have just recieved another email to say i need to speak to you urgently about your account, please ring us now!! This company is a nightmare..... Do you know if theysend it to a debt collector im thinking it might be better as i can set up a new payment plan and continue to pay it on the 1st of each month and also then the interest and charges:mad::mad: will be stopped???? Im absolutely fuming. :mad:
    Bristolgirl76 :wave:
  • lindann_2
    lindann_2 Posts: 272 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    reliable collection is a in house debt collection dept for J D Williams group..
    make a copies of all letters, and emails. Also if you can get written proof of all payments to company, with your bank statements.. Have you saved all their statements, try match payments to go with interests.. it should come clearer to prove you have done the best to pay each month. good luck with this one
  • savingmummy
    savingmummy Posts: 2,915 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    My sister had the same issues and ended up with balliffs coming to the door even though she was paying albeit late and only minimum payments.I`d advise to see CAB for advise on where to go from here. My sister had a string of catolgue issues and they sorted most of them out for her - unfortunately after she had battled with fashion world alone and lost!
    DebtFree FEB 2010!
    Slight blip in 2013 - Debtfree Aug 2014 :j

    Savings £132/£1000.
  • Baliffs to the door????? Omg im so worried now ....
    Bristolgirl76 :wave:
  • Lensman_2
    Lensman_2 Posts: 1,506 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    edited 18 August 2012 at 7:04AM
    Baliffs to the door????? Omg im so worried now ....
    BRAKES ON!!!!!

    No. Bailiffs will not come to the door.

    To have a bailiff at your door you need to:
    1. Have had a court claim for the debt.
    2. Failed to defend that claim.
    3. Failed to make payments after the claim.
    4. Failed to respond to a second hearing where they are then allowed to appoint a bailiff.

    What MIGHT happen (rarely) is a "doorstep" agent representing the DCA might turn up. This is not a bailiff.

    Without you agreeing to make an appointment for such a visit they are breaking the rules. Either way you should tell them to leave and tell them you are calling the police to report them for trespassing.

    They have NO rights and you have NO responsibility to tell them anything except "jog on".
  • orcocan
    orcocan Posts: 272 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 100 Posts Combo Breaker
    what you can do is to sell some of the stuff you've bought and that you probably don't need and with what you raise make them an offer to settle what was due

    don't panic... and best of luck :-)
  • Thank you everyone, and thanks lensman you have put my mind at rest, i was sick with worry all day
    Bristolgirl76 :wave:
  • i know this thread is a few weeks old, but ive just had a battle with this company also. my original debt 3 years ago was for 900 after a relationship split and christmas approaching i regrettably used the catalogue to buy xmas things for my 3 kids, a washing machine and fridge.
    however, 3 years later and after paying over the minium payment most months, and the debt keeping me and my 3 children barely about to feed ourselves, the debt is now 2000 still!? . £24 and month fees and £48 a month interest. ouch.
    anyway, i managed to get the money to pay it off in two large lumps so i askd them for a settlement figure and they refused. i wrote letters and went to cab. but they still refused a settlement.
    there in house debt collection means, you'll never be passed to a decent debt collector who may offer a settlement or halt any charges.
    i warn anyone who contemplates using any of the linked catalogues to think again!! in tiny writing at the bottom of the form you sign to agree to an account, it says 1049apr . this really does mean 1049% on anything you purchase from them!! BEWARE PLEASE AND DONT MAKE THE SAME MISTAKE I DID X
    i hope others like bristolgirl have more joy x
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