How much will refusing to pay a single payment affect me?

Andy856

Does anybody know how much refusing to pay a single payment of £800 affect my credit score.  My Dixon’s Carphone sent me an empty phone box and are saying they sent me the phone.  They refused to send a new one or cancel my contract so I transferred to a different provider.  They want to charge me for cancelling.  I could take them to court but that will cost between £50-£100 and be inconvenient obviously.  My credit score is good, I have never missed another payment.  Can anyone advise?

[Deleted User]

It could put your score up or down, or it may stay the same.  That's not the important bit though.

If a missed payment or default is registered on your files, that's fairly bad news.

Taking them to court would be madness at this stage. Escalate a formal complaint.

Andy856

Thank you for response.  I didn’t put the whole story on their.  I have made numerous complaints.  They have made me contact police, they said it must have been stolen, I have emails telling me they will not send me a new phone or cancel contract from the highest complaints team.  They have told O2 they would cancel my contract then changed their mind when I was put through.  They have told me the delivery (DPD) person said the package was sealed (which it was) and that there was a phone inside, well how would he know if it was sealed.  I have sent them a letter before action letter and they said they wouldn’t change their mind.  Court is possible the only choice left.

Willing2Learn

I agree with zx81.  Make a formal written complaint (via Royal Mail).  If the complaint does not reach a satisfactory resolution, then you can escalate to the Ombudsman Services: Communications.  That is the correct process.

Andy856

Thank you.  This has already been done though.  Complaints have been sent via email and post.  I have followed the advice of citizens advice from the start who now say the only remaining course of action is court.  My main question though is since my credit score is currently ‘good’ how much will just refusing to pay the £800 affect my credit score.  I really do not want to go to court.

BoGoF

Andy856 said:

Thank you.  This has already been done though.  Complaints have been sent via email and post.  I have followed the advice of citizens advice from the start who now say the only remaining course of action is court.  My main question though is since my credit score is currently ‘good’ how much will just refusing to pay the £800 affect my credit score.  I really do not want to go to court.

As above, if it shows as a default then that is not a good look on your history (ignore the score). If you are planning to mortgage/remortgage or seek any credit in the foreseeable then you will struggle.

Andy856

Ok thankyou

Willing2Learn

BoGoF said:

If you are planning to mortgage/remortgage or seek any credit in the foreseeable then you will struggle.

No.  For a good mortgage broker who specialises in adverse credit, one default would not prove to be an obstacle. 

jimbo26

As others have said not paying could have detrimental impact on you obtaining credit, or cheaper credit in the future as you may end up with a CCJ. You need to keep paying and keep escalating the complaints through the channels described above.

There are several scenarios, including:-

1. An error in the packing plant meant the phone wasn't packaged.
2. The phone has been stolen during transit.
3. You have nicked the phone.
4. Someone in the packing plant stole the phone.

The IMEI number is on the box, and known to O2, so 02 can easily establish if this phone has ever connected to the network, and they can block the phone.

Have you complained to the ombudsman as per Willing2Learn's advice?

jimbo26

Just another thought, the box minus the phone would have weighed considerably less. Have you contacted DPD as they must have weighed the item at some point during transit. If they did and it weighed less than the weight of a box and phone it would strengthen your case.

coachman12

It may sound very defeatist, Andy, but ----after all your complaints  and if you also try all the other options suggested by forum members on this thread----I'd pay the charge because you just can't afford to lose your favourable credit history. Of course, I don't know what they are asking by way of a "charge" but you will find court action will likely be higher, with no guarantee of success. Sorry, Andy........having been through all the hoops, I'd grit my teeth and just put my paramount credit factors ahead of one rotten incident such as you have been hit by.