Debt with Robinson Way.

tornpaperdoll

Hello,

I posted previously about a debt of mine that has been passed to Robinson Way. It is for £1086. I accept the debt is mine.

I wrote to them upon receipt of their initial letter and they agreed to put a hold on my account and give me 28 days to come up with a payment plan to repay this debt (this is up in about 14 days) I am currently signed off sick and we simply do not have £1000 sitting around that I can give them in one go. I am more than willing to make monthly payments.

However - I contacted them earlier this week as we are changing address and I wanted to make sure they were aware of this and the lady I spoke to asked if I had come up with an arrangement that would suit me and I said no, but would send a letter offering what I could before my time to do so ran out. She went on to say if I wanted to make an offer to settle the debt now that I could. I questioned her on this (I have never had a debt before - nor dealt with any collection agency, so am very naive in this) and she said they would accept a settlement from me against the whole amount. She wouldn't go any further and advised me to put my offer in writing.

So, I have a few questions. I have read some threads on here this morning and seen that some agencies will take one lump sum as a full and final settlement even if this lump sum is not equal to the whole debt. What sort of percentage of my debt should I offer? I don't have oodles of cash sitting around but could maybe come up with a bit if we really scrimp and cut back.

Would you write and offer them a % lump payment and wait and see what they say in regards to that? What sort of sum might they accept as opposed to putting my letter straight into the shredder?

Then if they refuse that offer follow up and write offering the monthly sum I can afford?

I am a little confused by all this, it's new territory for me!

Thanks.

devonsdreamer

Hi there I was directed to the fact sheet on National debtline http://www.nationaldebtline.co.uk/england_wales/factsheet.php?page=24_full_and_final_settlement_offers That is helpfull- I recently made an offer of 25% of the debt (it's all I can scrape together)

tornpaperdoll

Thanks for that link. Some useful stuff on there. I am going to write a letter tonight.

Did they accept your offer of 25%?

excel1

25% is a good place to argue to get to but certainly no more than 50% is this debt owned by robinson way now or are they just collecting it?

stapeley

You must insure that they have a right to collect on the debt . There have been cases where a ( full and final settlement ) has been agreed only for another company to demand the remaining amount .
I would recommend a CCA and notice of Assignment REQUEST them before you do anything else!

tornpaperdoll

Thanks for that Stapeley. I had no idea such a thing could happen

The debt is for an unpaid water bill (Southern Water, including the current years charges to March 2009)

I was told (though it may not necessarily be correct) that because it is a water bill there is no CCA. What is a notice of assignment? I have had it in writing from Southern Water that my debt with them has been passed to Robinson Way and and the amount RW are claiming is exactly what Souther Water say is owed as well.

itsnever2lateisit?

Unfortunately no CCA exists for this debt, and as SWater have informed you that they have passed this to RW, you are aware of the situation. Shame that, but at least they seem to be open to offers

tornpaperdoll

Thanks. They are definitely open to offers because they keep badgering me about it.

I made an offer (which was the most money I have that I can afford to give to them right now) in writing and have received a letter saying "We regret that your offer was not accepted by our client. In order for us to conclude this matter, we urge you to telephone us so that a satisfactory settlement figure can be agreed. One of our payment counsellors will be able to negotiate settlement terms on your behalf therefore it is in your best interests to contact this office NOW"

I am unable to make telephone calls for reasons I'd rather not divulge. What happens now? Shall I write back and offer them a little more money? My parents will give me some money that I can add to this for my birthday. Will they tell me what is an acceptable settlement?

Sorry for keep asking what are probably silly questions.

tornpaperdoll

Bump. In case anyone around this evening has any advice.