Default from Carphone Warehouse, should I pay it?

Hermione_boo

It is a long story I will try and keep it simple.

Basically in 2008 my 12 month contract with Carphone Warehouse ended and I called to cancel and was told to write in, I did this 3 times over the next 4 months and was told various bizarre reasons I couldn't cancel, from the contract just renewed itself for another 12 months to denying they received letters despite royal mail telling me they had received them. I continued paying it for a further 4 months then gave up because I didn't want the phone and they were just not going to cancel it. I racked up a outstanding balance of £390 where they continued to charge me before they finally shut the account down.

Now they defaulted me in October 2009 for the £390. I called them recently to try and remove this, but was told because when I called I was never given a cancellation code to quote each time I called then I officially never requested to cancel the contract with their cancellations department (which was not true, I did several times but was never given a code to quote).

I feel like a mug and have paid them quite enough money as it is so I don't want to pay them anymore. My question is when my default ends in October 2015 what happens? does the account stay on my credit files with the £390 still outstanding on there? Should I try and get rid of it somehow (any advice will be gratefully received) or do I just pay it?

Em XXXX

Buzby

Up to you. They've had their fun and blackened your name. They can still chase you after the default becomes time barred, simply that they cannot pursue you via court.

Also they may sell it on to a third party and walk away, however paying it off now will not improve your file in any meaningful way.

Hermione_boo

Thank you, but what happens after the default date? Does the debt stay on my credit file as owed? Can they default me again?

fermi

The default and all trace of the account is removed. They cannot add another default.

Should have really taken a complaint about their refusal to cancel to the Communications Ombudsman if applicable back then. May be too late to do that now, but may be worth contacting them to ask.