Debt collection letter - unpaid bill with reason

A_little_stressed!!

I have received my first ever debt collection letters this week,
for an unpaid dentists bill from either Dec 2011 or Jan 2012.
£52.27

I have a few questions,

1. Can they chase me for this from so long ago?

2. I haven't paid for good reason, it was a dentists bill, and they were absolutely horrific, refused to give me emergency treatment, despite their error, I had to call the emergency number for emergency dental care, and have an extraction 15miles away, in the meantime I was on co-codamol, antibiotics for a week, and missed a week of work.

When they rang to chase the bill a month later, I gave them the reason for my non-payment, and that I was considering issuing a complaint to the governing body of dentists due to the terrible service I had received.

I had however paid over £200 for the white fillings in 2 teeth from them, 1 lasted a few months before they replaced with a terrible, ill fitting crown, and another had to be extracted (by the emergency dentist) 10months later.

This practice has recently been in the news for terrible hygiene standards, and legal cases in regards to this, and I presume these debt letters are a result of administrators, or new ownership to turn the place around.

Any advice would be appreciated

Many thanks

immoral_angeluk

Your reason for non payment is irrelevant unless they didn't provide you with the service that you paid for. Usually the process would be to file a formal complaint and see if they will agree to write the debt off, but it's been some time so you'd struggle to argue your case and 'planning on complaining' isn't much justification unless you actually do it.

Personally I'd pay it and just chalk it up to experience, otherwise you risk extra fees for court etc being added on if they want to seriously pursue it.

A_little_stressed!!

So they are allowed to chase this long after service? Also I'm sure the amount was £35, they haven't provided me with the original bill, or exactly what they say it was for.
I said I would officially complain at the time, and haven't heard a thing from them until this month, 3 years later

Shall I ring for clarification what the bill is for?

Thanks.

meer53

My advice is - pay it. Unless you aren't bothered about your credit file going down the swanee.

Tixy

Yes they can legally still chase you. A company has 6 years (in England/Wales) from when a payment became due to commence court action against a debtor.

Its very unlikely that this can impact on your credit file unless they take court action against you and obtain a CCJ (and you then don't pay it within a month).

How much are they chasing you for now?
And have they detailed what specific treatment the outstanding amount relates to?
You are entitled to ask them for a copy of the original invoice which is what I would do.

sourcrates

I very much doubt this will go anywhere near a court for 50 quid, nor will it appear on your credit file, although non payment should not be used as an excuse for shoddy service, I can certainly understand your reasons for not paying.

Myself personally, I would tell them to whistle for it, you may get a couple of letters, then it will be forgotten.