Advice on how to negotiate - can you help please?

Quietdesperation

Hi there,
I'm trying to negotiate a full and final with Cabot. They have been tricky to contact, and are now insisting i ring them as they "require further details from me" before considering my offer. Past experience has taught me not to call a DCA!
Does anyone have a letter template I could send please? Something that lets them know I do want to resolve this, but it must be through the post? Also, what sort of details do I have to send them? I don't really want to send my personal info out randomly!
Any advice gratefully received.
Thank you very much in advance,
Alex (getting my act together:j)

System

I just emailed my collector offering to settle with 'x' amount. Its classed as a partial settlement but it will see the remaining balance written off. Obviously they will want to know where the money is coming from. Dont phone them as its not going leave you with proof. Any way this is what i sent by email

● Reference or account number

I am writing about the money which you are claiming on the above account.

I can confirm that I am unable to pay the money which I owe in full.!

!

However, I can raise!20% of the balance and I want to offer this as full and final settlement of the account. I am making this offer on the clear understanding that, if you accept it, neither you nor any associate company will take any other action to collect or enforce this debt in any way and that I will be released from any liability.

If you accept this offer, please confirm that you will mark my credit reference agency file to show that the above account has been paid and closed.

I can pay the amount I have offered within 2 months of receiving your written agreement of this offer.
Please give me details of how I can pay.

sourcrates

Just add to the above letter that you will not be ringing them, and all future contact must be in writing only.

Make sure you have their agreement in writing, before you part with any money.

Quietdesperation

Thank you michael32 and sourcrates.
I have actually sent this letter three times to them and this is the first time they replied! I guess I just need to write again, and if they want more information they will have to ask me in writing.
I appreciate your replies, thanks,
Alex

sourcrates

Quietdesperation wrote: »

Thank you michael32 and sourcrates.
I have actually sent this letter three times to them and this is the first time they replied! I guess I just need to write again, and if they want more information they will have to ask me in writing.
I appreciate your replies, thanks,
Alex

Yea Cabot, we’ll most DCA’s actually, always want you to ring them, there’s nothing wrong with doing that in order to negotiate a deal, anything you don’t want to answer, just say you’d prefer not to answer.

Willing2Learn

The problem with ringing is that you can feel a little cornered, panicked and flustered when they say something unexpected that you are not ready for. Only ring, if you feel confident in your communication skills

Quietdesperation

I'm not a quick thinker and I like to take my time to give considered replies to questions. I would get flustered on the phone.
I'm not finding Cabot easy to deal with. They seem a bit avoidant, don't reply to letters and when they do they don't address what I asked. But I guess I just need to keep at it and hopefully we will come to an agreement.
Thanks everyone for your help.
Alex

System

I guess if you call them stick to a script like what they do. Ultimately it all has to be in written. They might play hard to get if your paying a reasonable amount each month. Its easy for them to predict how much they are going to make out of you before they settle.