Any experience with American Express?

gatwickba

Hi Gang....Happy New Year!

Has anyone had any experience getting Amex to accept a DMP? I've read a few bits on here where they basically sell the debt immediately, but does anyone have first hand experience dealing with the DCA who they sell to? All my other creditors have frozen interest and accepting reduced payments, and I can actually see the debt falling now. Amex is my last card that I need to reduce. Currently paying £550 per month to them, £300 goes back on as interest and I am sinking fast.

I am self employed so doing my own DMP (all ok with other companies) but would really just like to know how far this lot will go.....anyone got a CCJ through a default on amex?

Thanks a million.

Heffi1

Hi Gatwickba, I would be interested in this thread as I am about to start a DMP and one of my creditors is Amex so if anyone knows please post to let us know.

Heather.

gatwickba

Hi Heather...

I've heard lots of "bad" reports about whoever AMEX use at the moment, I'm just cautious as all my other creditors are accepting my offers, and really dont want a CCJ, but at the end of the day I cant go on as I am!

Bumpety Bump anyway!

spurs501_2

Amex passed my debt onto a horrible company based in Glasgow called Allied. They phone and are very aggressive and say they need the full balance etc etc. When I explained I am paying my creditors all I can afford the guy hung up.

A couple of weeks later I received a letter from RMA Resolve who informed me they were now responsible in collecting my debt on behalf of Amex. RMA were polite and listened to what I had to say and accepted my first offer of £30 per month (£3000 balance).

DON'T LET THESE DEBT COLLECTION AGENCY'S BULLY YOU.
YOU MAY HAVE DEBT BUT THAT DOESN'T MAKE THEM BETTER THAN YOU!!

Hope this helps.

S.

gatwickba

Thanks for that Spurs...

Did you continue to pay Amex directly when Allied said they had the debt? Did they continue to charge interest and fees?
Just got my statement again, been paying the minimum payments up til now, but this is crunch time.
Spent nothing over Christmas and still can barely put food on the table!

Hey ho....:o

spurs501_2

gatwickba wrote: »

Thanks for that Spurs...

Did you continue to pay Amex directly when Allied said they had the debt? Did they continue to charge interest and fees?
Just got my statement again, been paying the minimum payments up til now, but this is crunch time.
Spent nothing over Christmas and still can barely put food on the table!

Hey ho....:o

I'd not paid Amex at all for 2 or 3 months, that's why it was passed to Allied in the first place I guess. They did keep charging interest & fees all the while. Now the account is with RMA the interest & charges have stopped.

Keep smiling, it's only money after all!!

Leixlip1

I'm doing a self-managed DMP and AMEX just played hard-ball, declined my offer, threatened a Charging Order etc via their solicitors. I kept paying what I had offered and they obtained a CCJ - initially for the whole amount and on appeal payments are based on my original offer. No charging Order and I haven't heard from them since the CCJ was made.
They have been the only creditor to act like this - even MBNA were reasonable (eventually!!)
Good luck.

spurs501_2

Leixlip1 wrote: »

I'm doing a self-managed DMP and AMEX just played hard-ball, declined my offer, threatened a Charging Order etc via their solicitors. I kept paying what I had offered and they obtained a CCJ - initially for the whole amount and on appeal payments are based on my original offer. No charging Order and I haven't heard from them since the CCJ was made.
They have been the only creditor to act like this - even MBNA were reasonable (eventually!!)
Good luck.

Hi.
It is very strange how companies seem to act differently towards different cases. I found Amex okay to deal with (apart from the clowns at Allied!!) and MBNA were really difficult!. I guess they have so many people working for them it depends if you get someone who's resonable or not?

The best people I've had to deal with are Llloyds TSB & Capital One. It seems to me the more reputable the company you deal with (i.e. High Street Banks etc) the more understanding they are if things are difficult for you?

This might not be the case for everyone but it has been for me.

S.

gatwickba

Thanks for the info....

I had problems with Coop bank to start with, but now they are accepting my offer with 6 month reviews. Egg were fantastic, really helpful and understanding. Capital One, Mint & Morgan Stanley also accepted with no argument.

Gonna take a deep breath and do a letter to Amex later this month.

Thanks again.

Leixlip1

Ah LLoyds-TSB who were so bad that I made a complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service which is currently being invesitigated.
They did readily agree my offer of payment which I have made every month and still it sits there in my account awaiting collection while Lloyds and their soliciors send me threatening letters once a month and then write apologiisng once a month!! I suppose it keeps someone in empolyment and at least I know that I am keping to my side of the arrangement.

gatwickba

Letter just gone off to Amex today....god only knows the response :eek: