where to begin - catalogues

magoogy

i have about 13 catalogues and used to let them stay at just £10 month payments but went mad and now i cant handle the repayments - i have took the first step by writing and explaining and asking to go on reduced payments but only 3 have agreed - the others say they wont....

what do i do next please as they have begun phoning all hours and i want to sort this without my hubby knowing and worrying - he is too ill to worry - i handle our finances....

thanks

amani_2

hi magoogy, sorry to hear about your problem, at least you have taken the first steps to sorting it out.

If you can post your SOA, look at southernscousers sticky at the top of the page FIRST TIME POSTERS. The nice people on here will be able to offer you advice.

AMANI XXX

chevalier

The problem with catalogues is that they charge a very high APR on debt. Would it be possible to get a low life of balance credit card to transfer these debts onto?

If you can't, then perhaps it would be best to contact either CCCS or Payplan (links at top of the forum), who can arrange a debt management plan FOR FREE. They seem to command a lot more respect than other companies.

If you post up a statement of affairs (see southernscousers sticky at the top of the forum) then we may be able to spot some extra savings you can make, to help pay off these debts.

But the main thing is to understand why you were spending on these catalogues, so that you don't continue spending this way in the future.

chev

rayday2

I had two catalogues and they both were really quick in handing over to a debt collection agency. Keep making the offers sending cheques each month for the amount you offered, stick to your offers and eventually you will find them will probably offload to a debt collection agency.

The debt collection agencies with me were quite good and accepted payments.

magoogy

i have already gone through my monies with a fine toothcomb and cannot claw no more back to reduce anything - would you believe i used to work in accounts and have got into this mess?

the reason i got into this mess was because i found internet shopping for catalogues and as im a full time carer i loved purchasing - it gave me a buzz - also my mum was very ill (since died) and i suppose i was compensating by buying stuff i didnt really need.....

i have this morning had confirmation off 2 other catalogues accepting the £10 a month so thats a bit closer....

i will do a payplan and see what comes up - failing that i will keep sending the cheques and offering a reason why it isnt the full amount and hopefully they will pass it on...

thanks for your help - it helps to talk about it....

rayday2

Have you had a peep on the National Debt helpline website they have a downloadable pack and with it a spreadsheet calculator so you can work out how much to pay each person.

They also have set up letters on there you can use, if you are using your own letters maybe they will pay more attention to something more formal looking?

Just a thought.

magoogy

thanks for the advice i will use one of the ir letters and have another go...

rayday2

Sometimes dealing with these companies feels like you keep banging your head against a wall. A battle of wills who will crumble first!

Good luck and I hope you get somewhere!