aqua credit card

paranoidpete

I am finally trying to sort my finances out and I missed a payment on my mbna card, so I phoned them and they were very helpful.
we went through my finances and have set up a payment plan and frozen the interest.
I don't like to make that type of phone call but they made it very stress free.
so I have just phoned up aqua credit card who is another one I have and they asked what I could offer, the operator came back and said that he was sorry but as my account has no missed payments and not in arrears the computer said no. so he told me to either miss a payment or pay a reduced payment, then he will be able to help.
I just think it is strange that when you try to get things sorted before they become to bad you have to actively make things worse, before they can help.

National_Debtline

Hi Pete


Without wishing to sound like I'm making excuses for anyone, that telephone operator may only have very limited information to work from i.e. what his system tells him about your payment history with them. If you're anticipating difficulties meeting repayments it may be best for you to send the lender details of your income and outgoings (such as any that you worked out with MBNA).


Does it look from your budget as though you will definitely be unable to make the next scheduled minimum payment on this Aqua card? And are there any other credit debts besides these two?


Dennis
@natdebtline

paranoidpete

I have been missing out other bills but trying to only miss one of my cards but as I have set up a payment plan on that one, I am going to have to reduce payments on the others.
the operator was very helpful and actually told me that they are unable to help unless my account is in arrears, but told me to make a payment of what I can then they set thinks up.

yes I have 3 credit cards 2 loans and a car loan

National_Debtline

OK then. In that case, you ought to think about plans/solutions that incorporate all of your unsecured debts, and not just the credit cards. Lenders can be more reluctant to agree arrangements with you if they think others are being given any "preferential" treatment.


The car loan, if it is something like a hire-purchase agreement, might be the one debt out of this list that you try to maintain as normal, assuming that the vehicle is an essential for you.


Why not post a Statement of Affairs (SOA) up here and/or get in touch with one of the free debt advice charities for a second opinion on how best to tackle the situation.


SOA template: http://www.stoozing.com/calculator/soa.php


Dennis
@natdebtline

Karonher

Without all the details of your outgoings it would be difficult for Aqua to change what you should be paying. Imagine if everyone decided that they wanted to pay less. I am not saying you are not in need of help, but it would be easy for some to just say they were in difficulty.