creditor insisting on phone call

oliviatwist

Hi,

I have made an offer to pounds to pocket - 30% which they rejected.

So I sent them a letter asking them to reconsider and offering a token payment of £1 until something is sorted as I can't afford anything else monthly. I also sent them a copy of my budget.

I got this response -

"Thank you for contacting Pounds to Pocket. There is an alternative payment arrangement that will allow you to setup the arrangement that you are looking for, but you will have to call the Collections Department at 0800 016 3111. This process must be completed over the phone."

Shall I ring them? Or is this a tactic to bully me over the phone?

Thanks in advance

sourcrates

oliviatwist wrote: »

Shall I ring them? Or is this a tactic to bully me over the phone?

Thanks in advance

Hi,
I think you know the answer to this one already.


If you are a confident negotiator, then by all means ring them and see what they have to offer, if your not, keep it in writing.


The telephone, as you must know, is the number one weapon of choice for collections depts, debt collectors, etc, as they can pressure you into agreeing to something there and then, its not a good way to do things, where debt is concerned.

oliviatwist

Thanks, I was second guessing myself - am I being too suspicious?

I don't think I am in a good enough place to ring them.

Can I just say, "I don't want to ring you!"

Or is there a more appropriate way of putting it?

CKhalvashi

oliviatwist wrote: »

Thanks, I was second guessing myself - am I being too suspicious?

I don't think I am in a good enough place to ring them.

Can I just say, "I don't want to ring you!"

Or is there a more appropriate way of putting it?

'I requre all correspondance in writing to ensure there is no misunderstanding or confusion regarding any terms agreed.'

oliviatwist

ooooh that is excellent, thanks

tiger_eyes

Dear Pounds to Pocket,

Thank you for your letter requesting that I call the collections department. As I have already stated, I am in financial hardship and can only afford to make a token £1 payment until my circumstances change. The budget I attached to my previous letter clearly shows this. Please provide your bank details for this standing order. There is nothing further to discuss by phone and I remain available for contact via letter only.

Regards,
Olivia Twist

oliviatwist

Thanks that's brill!

I think if i get on the phone with them I will end up agreeing to whatever they want. I'm definitely safer behind my keyboard ;-)

National_Debtline

Hi

Just to add to the good advice from the others, if you are able to you should start making your token payments whether the creditor agrees it or not. It shows good will.

If you still have access to a lump sum in future you could try making your settlement offer again. They may be more open to a full and final settlement once they've accepted that the alternative is you paying £1 per month.

James
@natdebtline

oliviatwist

I'm still having problems with this company. They refuse to send me acceptance in writing. We are going back and forth over and over, it's driving me mad.

This is all I get-

"Thank you for contacting Pounds to Pocket. Unfortunately, settlements can not be arranged via email. However, once the account is settled we can send an email to confirm the payment was made. Please call the Collections Department at 0800 016 3111. Please remember, you have to be able to pay when you call in or we will not accept a settlement. This offer is only good for today. "

"Thank you for contacting Pounds to Pocket. There is an alternative payment arrangement that will allow you to setup the arrangement that you are looking for, but you will have to call the Collections Department at 0800 016 3111. This process must be completed over the phone. "

fatbelly

oliviatwist wrote: »

I'm still having problems with this company. They refuse to send me acceptance in writing. We are going back and forth over and over, it's driving me mad.

This is all I get-

"Thank you for contacting Pounds to Pocket. Unfortunately, settlements can not be arranged via email. However, once the account is settled we can send an email to confirm the payment was made. Please call the Collections Department at 0800 016 3111. Please remember, you have to be able to pay when you call in or we will not accept a settlement. This offer is only good for today. "

"Thank you for contacting Pounds to Pocket. There is an alternative payment arrangement that will allow you to setup the arrangement that you are looking for, but you will have to call the Collections Department at 0800 016 3111. This process must be completed over the phone. "

You're clearly not dealing with anyone very intelligent or professional.

Keep paying £1 and maybe they'll pass it on or sell it to someone better.

sourcrates

Payday lenders usually offload delinquent accounts pretty quickly.

You will be able to negotiate with a DCA much more successfully !!