Have you guys ever tried to negotiate a dept for a reduce cost and...

[Savingmonster]

You were blatantly refused?

This one so called law firm, Bronson & Migliaccio. Refused.


So I have to now pay this in full + an additional $44 bucks. The debt is about 2,191, but I was trying to reduce it to about 1,100-1,500. They said no.

Anyone had troubles negotiating a reduce cost of the debt?

I am willing to pay what I "owe", but a bit disappointed that I can't get it reduced.

[justbee]

Yes I have had this happen to me also. Funny as it seems if the creditor thinks that you have the ability to pay the full amount or that you are going to seriously buckle down to reduce the amount, they figure they are just giving money away.

If however they think they are not going to collect at all then they seem more willing to negotiate, especially if they have tacked on high interest and multiple fees just prior to the debt going to collections.

If your credit report reflects other debts that have been paid off then that won't help you either. If you were able to pay the debt at the reduced amount you would still get a charge-off on your report. I don't know which is worse though. HTH

[Fern]

Why were you expecting a law firm to reduce your bill? Just for the heck of it, or was there some reason why they should?

[Savingmonster]

Actually, I am willing to pay that debt off, but they seem kinder shady. I asked them to send me some thigns in writing. They said they would fax it, they never did. All they want is the payment in full, but it doesn't seem they want to send me any of that in writing.

Which sucks.

[boefixepa]

We had this problem as a company and flat out told them that they were getting payments when they tried to demand payment in full. They were REALLY mean at first, but once they saw we were willing to pay the debt but that we WERE going to make payments wether liked it or not, they came around. They are paid to be mean and they are going to try and bully you no matter what. That's what I think.

[boefixepa]

GGRRR!!!! Why can I post on this thread and not the one I just started!!!!

It's incomplete and I can't get in there to finish it and it's frustrating me to no end.

[vsjhoc]

Originally Posted by Savingmonster

Actually, I am willing to pay that debt off, but they seem kinder shady. I asked them to send me some thigns in writing. They said they would fax it, they never did. All they want is the payment in full, but it doesn't seem they want to send me any of that in writing.

Which sucks.

You were right to ask them to send something in writing. They need to prove that you have a legal obligation to pay them. After all, I could call you and tell you I'm their collection agency and you have to pay me.

Write to them immediately. Tell them to provide details of (a) name and address of alleged creditor; (b) name and address of original creditor, if different; (c) alleged account #; (d) date(s) alleged debt(s) became payable; (e) date of original charge-off or delinquency; (f) whether this debt was purchased by or assigned to them. Ask them to provide (y) a copy of the agreement with their client (the alleged creditor) that gives them the authority to collect this debt and (z) a copy of any agreement with your signature as the debtor where you agreed to pay the alleged creditor.

Tell them they must stop all collection activity until they give you all this info and these documents. When they prove they're entitled to collect the debt, then you can make payment arrangements.

Good luck.

[tgavin71]

So basically you want to pay in installments but they want the entire amount paid in full. Is that right?

[tgavin71]

Also I wouldn't pay anything unless I have an account in writing. Its strange that there is no bill.

[Savingmonster]

Originally Posted by tgavin71

So basically you want to pay in installments but they want the entire amount paid in full. Is that right?

I wouldn't mine paying the 2,191 but I need it in writing first. I am trying to get it off my back. I would pay in full.

[thekid]

Originally Posted by Savingmonster

I wouldn't mine paying the 2,191 but I need it in writing first. I am trying to get it off my back. I would pay in full.

Is this for legal services? If so, ask them, in writing, to provide you with a detailled bill, listing all work done, the dates on which it was done and the time taken to accomplish each task. Then review this and make sure everything is correct and the time spent on the tasks is reasonable.

If they do not provide you with this, contact your state Bar and file a complaint. In my jurisdiction, the Bar has an adjudication service for billing disputes. They would be severally sanctionned for refusing to provide a written detailled bill.

[vsjhoc]

Originally Posted by thekid

Is this for legal services? If so, ask them, in writing, to provide you with a detailled bill, listing all work done, the dates on which it was done and the time taken to accomplish each task. Then review this and make sure everything is correct and the time spent on the tasks is reasonable.

If they do not provide you with this, contact your state Bar and file a complaint. In my jurisdiction, the Bar has an adjudication service for billing disputes. They would be severally sanctionned for refusing to provide a written detailled bill.

These attorneys are debt collectors. They have been ranked #10 on a list of America's Worst Collection Agencies.