Small Shop Direct Default on credit report

eli77

I recently (regrettably) purchased a small item worth £52 from a Woolworths online shop who are partnered with Shop Direct.

I had intended to pay for the item in full and after inputting my credit card details, thought that's what I'd done. Although admittedly with a baby to look after and a full time business to run at the same time I have been known to make the odd error in haste in my desperation to keep our small company running without going under.

A few weeks later I got two emails saying my woolworths account was ready to view online, it gave no mention of owing them money so I ignored it.

I later saw I'd got some letters for them but got them late becuase I live next door to my folks which is the address where I get my post. The letters were put to one side and left for a few days. But by then it was too late and they'd already issued a default and a late payment fee.

I now have a late payment default on my credit report for this silly little thing that I thought I'd already paid for and have since paid in full.

We run a small business and need to do balance transfers and get mortgages, re-mortgages for the house refurbs we do.

Now I can't get a new credit card and we'll struggle to get any decent choice of mortgages if any due to this default. In other words if I can't get this tiny default removed it could ruin everything we've worked for.

Without wishing to sound too dramatic it could basically ruin our lives.

I've attempted speaking to a rep at their credit department who wasn't in the slightest bit interested in the impending ruination of our lives due to their actions and repeatedly told me they would not remove it because they'd not made a mistake. end of.

I asked to speak to a manager, who called me back saying the same kind of thing. Again showing not one iota of interest in the fact that this tiny default could literally destroy everything we've worked for.

They don't care.

I am determined to find out a way to get this removed because I cannot accept that these companies can simply destroy peoples chances of getting decent mortgages (if any) and sabotage small businesses by placing late payment defaults for a first missed payment and a tiny one at that.

Can anyone help?

The reps at the call center don't care or don't believe me and I'm not convinced that writing to the CEO or other company directors will make a difference, although I'll try that too of course.

What I'm looking for is something more weighty to motivate them to get it off my credit file. Perhaps a legal reason or some other kind of threat? Maby even an article in the local papers, or on here?

I know these small defaults have reaped devastation in the lives of many.
Penalizing people by Putting late payment defaults for small amounts on peoples credit files is ludicrously heavy handed and over the top.
The penalty inflicted is way out of proportion and Shop direct don't care enough for their customers to take this into consideration.
An added interest fee would be sufficient.

The government need to step in and get it regulated.

It seems that these companies are allowed free reign to mess up peoples credit reports for relatively petty small amounts.

Is there a legal route I could take, does anyone have any creative ideas I could use to force them to remove it?

I'm really desperate for help here and any advice will be thoroughly welcomed!

Regards

Tixy

Hi and welcome to the forum

What was the date of the default letter and what date did it say you needed to make payment by?

What date did you make the payment?

If the default was correctly applied, and it appears that it was then the only thing you can do is to ask them to remove it as a goodwill gesture and explain it was an oversight on your behalf. I would try doing that in writing.

I'd also suggest you either change your post to your correct address or make sure you pick it up and read it more frequently going forward.

eli77

Hi Tixy, thanks for your reply.

I checked the dates and I am the one at fault. I just had no idea I owed them money as I'd thought I'd already paid for it. The texts they sent made no mention of it.

I live on top of an outbuilding (quite a comfortable one) on land belonging to my parents so it's the same address. (all our money is tied up in this business so parents are kindly providing accommodation)
The mail goes through their door and I got the letters late. They may have thought they were just junk mail.
I will try the letter requesting goodwill, but I don't have much faith in it because I don't think they care enough. It's not their problem.
I need to find something more.

Tixy

If you were only a few days after the default date then I would point that out to them in your letter - it may well improve your chances.

If you were quite a long time after the default date then I think the chances are reduced but its still definitely worth trying, pointing out the long term impact it could have on you and that it was an oversight on your behalf.

matttye

In your somewhat self-righteous post you seem to be forgetting one thing: you DID fail to pay and that is simply what they have reported. There is no legal reason you can ask them to remove the information from your credit report because it's entirely accurate.

The papers won't be interested in this. If you think you're the only person affected by adverse information on their credit reports, just take a look at this forum. There are thousands of posts asking how to have adverse information removed.

Sorry if my post seems unhelpful, but I think you have a poor attitude when it was your own mistake that caused this. You appear to be blaming the company rather than accepting responsibility for your own mistake.

It might seem harsh that this simple marker could ruin your livelihood, but that's why it's absolutely imperative that YOU need to make sure things are paid - so that your credit files remain squeaky clean. You can't be careless and then take umbridge at the creditor for reporting accurate information.

As Tixy said, write to them - politely - and ask if they will remove the marker as a goodwill gesture. Your letter needs to take into account that they have absolutely no obligation to remove it.

I also don't think one late payment marker is the end of the world. They shouldn't have added a default to your account for one late payment, so I presume it's a 'one month late' payment marker and not a default.

Dovah_diva

eli77 wrote: »

I had intended to pay for the item in full and after inputting my credit card details, thought that's what I'd done. Although admittedly with a baby to look after and a full time business to run at the same time I have been known to make the odd error in haste in my desperation to keep our small company running without going under.

Doesn't bode well for your business if you can't even keep track of whether a payment has been made or not.

eli77 wrote: »

A few weeks later I got two emails saying my woolworths account was ready to view online, it gave no mention of owing them money so I ignored it.

So you didn't think to take 5 minutes to check the account?

eli77 wrote: »

Now I can't get a new credit card and we'll struggle to get any decent choice of mortgages if any due to this default. In other words if I can't get this tiny default removed it could ruin everything we've worked for.

Without wishing to sound too dramatic it could basically ruin our lives.

You do sound very dramatic. If it is so important that you have squeaky clean files, why aren't you more careful about making payments?

eli77 wrote: »

I've attempted speaking to a rep at their credit department who wasn't in the slightest bit interested in the impending ruination of our lives due to their actions and repeatedly told me they would not remove it because they'd not made a mistake. end of.

Which is correct. You made the mistake and should have gone to them with a calm apologetic manner, explained it was a mistake on your part and would they please remove the late payment marker. Going on your post, I suspect you didn't do this. I bet you even used terms like 'impending ruination of my life'

eli77 wrote: »

I asked to speak to a manager, who called me back saying the same kind of thing. Again showing not one iota of interest in the fact that this tiny default could literally destroy everything we've worked for.

They don't care.

Again with the dramatics. I would lay a tenner that by the time the manager called you had become aggressive and demanding. Of course they don't care about your credit rating, why would they? If their actions have been lawful and correct then, it is YOU that has screwed up your credit file, not them. I don't suppose they are losing any sleep over it.

eli77 wrote: »

I am determined to find out a way to get this removed because I cannot accept that these companies can simply destroy peoples chances of getting decent mortgages (if any) and sabotage small businesses by placing late payment defaults for a first missed payment and a tiny one at that.

There isn't a way - other than asking them very nicely to remove it - and I think you've effectively killed that chance already. Again, it is not the company that have sabotaged your business - it's you and I think that is why you're so angry. You made a mistake up and are looking to apportion blame. Besides, if it was only a late payment then it will be a late payment marker, not a default.

eli77 wrote: »

I'm not convinced that writing to the CEO or other company directors will make a difference, although I'll try that too of course.

It'll probably be a waste of time, but if you do write to the CEO, change your attitude. It is not the company that has made a mistake, it is you. Admitting that, being courteous and asking for the marker to be removed is more likely to get results than the crap you've spouted on here.

eli77 wrote: »

What I'm looking for is something more weighty to motivate them to get it off my credit file. Perhaps a legal reason or some other kind of threat? Maby even an article in the local papers, or on here?

There isn't anything weightier because you failed to make the payment, it is not their fault. The local papers won't give two hoots.

eli77 wrote: »

I know these small defaults have reaped devastation in the lives of many.
Penalizing people by Putting late payment defaults for small amounts on peoples credit files is ludicrously heavy handed and over the top.
The penalty inflicted is way out of proportion and Shop direct don't care enough for their customers to take this into consideration.
An added interest fee would be sufficient.

The government need to step in and get it regulated.

It seems that these companies are allowed free reign to mess up peoples credit reports for relatively petty small amounts.

Is there a legal route I could take, does anyone have any creative ideas I could use to force them to remove it?

I'm really desperate for help here and any advice will be thoroughly welcomed!

Finally, the Government don't need to regulate anything. Credit files are supposed to be a true and accurate record of how a person managers their finances. You made a mistake, failed to make a payment and an accurate marker has been put on your account to reflect this.

It is YOUR fault - not that of the company. The quicker you accept this the better.

eli77

Lol, Ok there are some valuable points given here. Although the accusations of being self righteous and aggressive are neither true or helpful, it's simply adds an unpleasant tone to what could be a helpful and friendly forum
I was merely letting off steam.
As pointed out at the beginning of my post, I stated it was my fault - no problems admitting that.
I am upset because it isn't just a marker, it's on my credit report as a default,as confirmed by an experian rep.
I have many payments set up and I make sure I pay them on time every time.
I have systems in place to be sure of this.
Like I said, that particular day I was in a rush and believed I'd requested payment in full, not in installments.
This was a rare one off mistake, something we are all capable of.
I also set out to be polite no matter who I speak to and I believe that's what I was when speaking with Shop direct over the phone.
I still stand by what I say in believing that shop direct went too far in this case.
Thanks for the good advice

matttye

eli77 wrote: »

Lol, Ok there are some valuable points given here. Although the accusations of being self righteous and aggressive are neither true or helpful, it's simply adds an unpleasant tone to what could be a helpful and friendly forum
I was merely letting off steam.
As pointed out at the beginning of my post, I stated it was my fault - no problems admitting that.
I am upset because it isn't just a marker, it's on my credit report as a default,as confirmed by an experian rep.
I have many payments set up and I make sure I pay them on time every time.
I have systems in place to be sure of this.
Like I said, that particular day I was in a rush and believed I'd requested payment in full, not in installments.
This was a rare one off mistake, something we are all capable of.
I also set out to be polite no matter who I speak to and I believe that's what I was when speaking with Shop direct over the phone.
I still stand by what I say in believing that shop direct went too far in this case.
Thanks for the good advice

When you look at the account history on Experian, does the marker show up as a '1' or an '8' ? If it's a '1' then it's a one month late payment marker. If it's an '8' then it's a default.

The account should also have a 'default date' displayed on the summary if it has indeed been defaulted. Can you see that anywhere? If you're not sure, could you perhaps post a screenshot but blank out any personal details (names, account numbers, addresses etc) beforehand?

I wrote my previous post on the basis of it being a one month late payment marker. If they have actually added a default, you have every right to be angry as that's against every guideline going after only one missed payment!

People tend to respond better to posts along the lines of 'I made a silly mistake, but is there anything I can do about it' rather than 'I can't believe they're doing this to me' - and your post was a mix of both. Sorry if my post was in any way offensive, it just seemed like you were blaming the creditor for accurate information.