Worrying as not good with catalogue bills :( passed to debt collector

jadex91

I'm only 22 and need to pay loads from littlewoods, isme and jacamo. They are all shop direct and altogether just from them I must owe about £1000. They call me all the time and has been passed onto debt collector, I don't want to get a default or anything as it'll be worse, but I just need something to put my mind at rest. Would you pay loads and make yourself skint just to get it out the way?

SeduLOUs

If you can afford to pay it, pay it.

Depends on your version of skint. If it means you'll be on beans on toast for a few weeks with no nights out then it's WELL worth it to avoid your credit file being shot and then it's a long long climb back.

If it means you're likely to end up homeless or not being able to eat, then obviously it's a different matter entirely. Contact a charity like StepChange if it's that bad.

Be thankful your debt level is quite low, but don't let it get worse and get your file ruined. You'll just be faced with more and more charges and if you don't learn a lesson now that £1000 figure could quite easily be £10,000 in a few years.

Good luck x

[Deleted User]

Jadex91 wrote: »

I don't want to get a default or anything as it'll be worse

If it's been passed to a DCA, then it's likely it's already defaulted.

marliepanda

If you haven't been meeting the agreed payments each month (usually a given if its gone to a debt collector) then a default will no doubt have been applied to your account already, from each company. Good news is this will drop off after 6 years.

You can check what the credit companies hold on you, I personally use Noddle (as its free) and that gives me accurate information. I don't know how good it is when accounts have been passed on etc but its a start.

eyeopener2

Pay as much as you AFFORD, and do it while your still young. Believe me You don't want to be doing this when your in your 40s like I was. Hopefully this isn't patronising but if your still living at home with your parents, pay every spare penny you have to get shut. If not, then Budget wisely so you can pay your bills and then pay every spare penny.

And then learn a lesson from this. Debts spiral out of control very quickly.

savingmummy

You need to see how much you owe each catalogue and call them.
Arrange a payment plan with them, had you done this when you missed a payment they wouldn't of passed it on.


IF you can afford it pay them off.
I sank into the dreaded catalogue debt and lived `basic` til I paid it all off - wasn`t pleasant but needs must.

Monkeyballs

Hi,

Has the debt actually been passed to a DCA or is it just with their collections team?

DCA's are generally easier to work with while their collections team are... Less helpful

Worst case scenario pick up the phone and speak to one of the debt charities it's not a crime, you're just asking for a bit of help and they're really nice to speak to (not at all patronising or preachy as you might expect).

You're doing the right thing in facing up to your debt and you're doing it while it's still quite low! BUT don't do anything silly and lend from somewhere else to pay this debt off because that's the trap everyone is on about

MB

jadex91

Thanks everyone

What's the difference between a default and a CCJ?

eyeopener2

A default is issued when you have broken the terms of your agreement, ie you haven't paid them. This means they can ask for the full amount back and is part of the legal process.

A ccj (county court judgement) is issued by the court after a hearing or sometimes just automaticaly if you ignore the summons.

Usually proceedings start, if you haven't come to an agreement to repay your debt or you have ignored the matter or debt collectors being awkward

This is a very rough outline but it gives you an idea of the difference.

I'm beginning to think you may have some serious problems being stored up here.

Have you received any letters?

LINKYPIE2009

In regards to shop direct - I feel I have to stick up for their collections team. 2 years ago I ran up two catalogue bills that totalled over £8k, when I rang them and explained that I could not make my minimum payments, they gave me an interest free credit agreement which meant I had to pay back just what I owed, I am two payments away from completing the agreement.

This prevented me from having a nervous breakdown about the charges that were being added every months when I ciuldn't make the payments.

The moral of this is that you need to talk to whoever has your debt, you will feel so much better when you have a plan in place.

Hugs x

Monkeyballs

LINKYPIE2009 wrote: »

In regards to shop direct - I feel I have to stick up for their collections team. 2 years ago I ran up two catalogue bills that totalled over £8k, when I rang them and explained that I could not make my minimum payments, they gave me an interest free credit agreement which meant I had to pay back just what I owed, I am two payments away from completing the agreement.

This prevented me from having a nervous breakdown about the charges that were being added every months when I ciuldn't make the payments.

The moral of this is that you need to talk to whoever has your debt, you will feel so much better when you have a plan in place.

Hugs x

That's a better experience than I had LOL but fair enough not every ones experience will be the same

MB