Very catalogue debt help

yoyo33

Hi all. I wonder if someone could advise me.

I've got a debt with Very Catalogue which I am paying monthly through a self managed dmp which I set up in Jan this year. I received an email from very stating my payment arrangement is coming to an end and to call them. (I didn't realise it was so short term)
I called them and they said they arent willing to deal with me direct anymore and I would need to speak to step change or another debt charity for advice.
I said I did this originally and then sent letters and budget using the cab website.
They advised that unless its paid through a debt charity I will receive a default notice and the debt will be sold to a collection agency who may take me to court.
I told very that if I used a debt charity they would be getting the same as they do now as I've used the budget calculator spreadsheet, that would.be used by the likes of stepchange, The lady I spoke to continued to say she cant help and i will need to seek advice.

I called stepchange today for some advice and they said the debt could be passed to the collection agency but to continue paying what I have been and they may take me to court.

My question is , has anyone had any dealings with very like this before. And are they likely to take me to court ?
I know they can all threaten court but dont always do anything. But I'm feeling a bit wobbly today and just wondered if anyone has had experience with them.
Thanks in advance for any advice. X

sourcrates

Hi,


You are not alone, Very, or to be more presice, Shop Direct Group, are notoriously unhelpful to people in your situation, they only ever agree to short term payment plans, usually no longer than 6 months, which to most people with high balances, is useless.

Lets dispel some myths first shall we, having the account default, and sold on to a debt purchasor is not as bad as it may sound, firstly, when an account defaults, all interest and charges cease to be applied, and the balance on the account is frozen.

The new owner will buy your account as part of a large portfolio of accounts, they buy them in bulk, for a few pence in the pound.

They will accept in payment, whatever your budget shows you can pay, as long as you are paying something, they will not take you to court, that is just scamongering on behalf of the uneducated Very call handler, debt collectors, despite there bad reputations, are much easier to deal with, and will usually accept what they can get in payment, so if i were you, i`d let nature take its course, let them sell the debt on, and your life without Very in it, will become so much easier.

yoyo33

Ah Thankyou sourcrates.
You've really eased my mind.
I've been quite strong through the dmp set up. But started to have a bit of a wobble as letters have started coming through again.
And as you've said, very arent the best.
When I called stepchange, they were very informative, but maybe a bit too much -quoting form numbers I may receive about court and what to do about them. Made me even worse, I nearly started on the vodka the wrong side of 12pm!!

Seriously though, I really appreciate it thankyouxxx

Carrot007

sourcrates wrote: »

Lets dispel some myths first shall we, having the account default, and sold on to a debt purchasor is not as bad as it may sound

Just to add, getting things defaulted early on is very muc hwhat you want to do and a positive (for 99% of people entering a DMP).


The last thing you want is them stringing you along and defaulting you at the end of your DMP and having to argue they should have done it years ago.

yoyo33

Thanks Carrot. That's a good point . Xx

sourcrates

yoyo33 wrote: »

When I called stepchange, they were very informative, but maybe a bit too much -quoting form numbers I may receive about court and what to do about them.

To be fair to stepchange, they have a duty to tell you about worst case senario, which is usually someone who just ignores the whole thing.


Anyone who is making regular agreed payments has little to worry about to be honest.


If you need any further help going forwards, this is where you`ll find us.

yoyo33

Thanks sourcrates I appreciate your advice xx

anna_1977

Let them default you, I have a debt with them and after 3 years it's still showing AR markers - I've argued and said default but I was sending token payments so they've refused to add default

fatbelly

yoyo33 wrote: »

Hi all. I wonder if someone could advise me.

I've got a debt with Very Catalogue which I am paying monthly through a self managed dmp which I set up in Jan this year. I received an email from very stating my payment arrangement is coming to an end and to call them. (I didn't realise it was so short term)
I called them and they said they arent willing to deal with me direct anymore and I would need to speak to step change or another debt charity for advice.

Very are not following FCA guidance.

CONC 7.3.9 A firm must not operate a policy of refusing to negotiate with a customer who is developing a repayment plan.

yoyo33 wrote: »

When I called stepchange, they were very informative, but maybe a bit too much -quoting form numbers I may receive about court and what to do about them.

Stepchange are following FCA guidance.

We have to give every client a full lecture (officially) on the whole spectrum of debt advice. It's stupid.

yoyo33

Thanks Anna.
Thanks fat belly. I'm going to email them over the weekend as their letter said a full payment is due this week. So i may quote the guidelines you've mentioned, and tell them I've spoken to stepchange and they advised me to pay what I can afford, to which I will do.
I appreciate your help . Thanks all. X