I got a collection letter from Heritage out of New Jersey, I have to say that they were one of the most pleasant collection agencies that I have dealt with. I am posting this because they do not fit the norm in a few different ways.
1. There professionalism and friendliness was not expected, they actually was very cooperative when I said that I could not do anything until the end of the month, no pushing me to make a payment today.
2. They are willing to settle for 60% of the debt, I found this very unusual because normally they will want 80% in any type of settlement offer, at least with the collectors that I have dealt with.
We spend a lot of time bashing the bad ones, I have dealt with so many that are just down right nasty that I felt compelled to come on here and let you know that there are still a few descent ones left.
Why don't you watch now? (Deal or No Deal) I don't care for the show myself.
Probaly because when someone really needs a shot they are overlooked. Seems there is always someone with a sadder story. When they have the auditions for Deal or no Deal you have to give a good reason why you would like to be considered for the show.
I use to watch but it really annoys me when someone has alot of money and they just risk it away especially when they know the odds are not in their favor. They always say I came here with Grandmas gold coin and know I have the winning suitcase. I just wonder how many fond memories they have of Granny after they lose their money.
LOL----I would much rather leave a show like that a WINNER. I am not that big of a risk taker when it comes to money (or anything really).
I have never been a real risk taker either..more like an egg hatcher.
LOL-----you must be very PATIENT!---I am very IMPATIENT! So where do you think my struggles in life are? WAITING!
Oh I am not so sure about being patient. More like I know if you really want something you can be sure it will take its good old time getting here. Girlfriend we all have numerous struggles in life...just from different starting points.
You got that right, my starting point seems to be over and over again, but you know fireyone everytime I think I have something going on that is bad, the old man upstairs sends me a reminder to be greatful.
I have to share a little story. I will make it short.
I had a 78 year old homeless vet come into my office, all he wanted is just what we have, a job that would let him have just the basics, he only had $850 in social security coming in and the Veterans administration takes $130 of that a month for his medication since he is not service connected. Although he was in a bad situation he was jolly. To cut it short, I found him a job for 20 hours a week, this will supplement his income. He came in today, just two days later and he found a trailer in a junky old trailer court, but his had tears in his eyes today and so thankful for what he has. This took a whole three days. I felt so bad to see his tears of joy, how can the world leave this great old soul out in the cold like this.
You see I think that he was sent to me through something else higher, one because he would get my help and two to make me feel a little self worth and to show me that I am capable of being what I am supposed to be. Not rich, not living a life of plenty but what makes me the happiest, the ability to do the little things in life that bring so much comfort and joy to those who just need a little help and support to get back on track.
Now, I am not talking about the ones who abuse th system. This case was sent to me for a reason, I fear that he is suffering from a little dementia, he got lost again today. :cry:
He is actually being more helpful to me than I am to him. He is making me get back to the start of things, grounding me, getting me more focused, taking me back to what really matters in my job. With the many many things that I have to do at work because of our short staff, I sometimes get frustrated, I needed to see the human side of my job again.
So, I know this time is hard for you, but I do think that with this struggle you will get stronger, back to the start of things, time to refocus and start a new day. what really matters, that your spouse comes home each night or day safe from work, that your children are healthy and that you are here with us in an environment where we can discuss and help each other. You will be fine. :D
goodnatured---I don't know what your religious beliefs are, but I am a Christian and here is my take on your little story.
God puts ordinary people (like you and me) in extraordinary situations and allows their talents, expertise, compassion, sympathy and empathy to come forth and work "miracles" here on earth. Of course, it is really God's doing, but he uses his angels here on earth to do his work.
Maybe the man was sent to YOU to help you regain the traits and attributes and abilities that you had lost sight of.
Great posts...both of you. I am a strong believer in God and think that there is reasonong for everyting. Funny Gn you mention this story cause I have one of my own.
Yesterday was a pretty bad day for me. I was really depressed and teh pain in my arm had me in such an all out glum mood. I even slept most of the day because I couldn't stand my thoughts when I was awake. I had been avoiding all phone calls until my sister kept ringng the phone off the hook and I couldn't take it anymore.
Her husband had been sent out on a call (fire dept) for what was believed to be a two year old drowning. As soon as I hung up the phone I prayed to God that he would help this little person find his way and the parents with their grief. I asked that even though this person couldn;t be given another chance to live and become somebody that he find comfort from familiy members who have moved on.
It made me think about my nephew and jmy own children and just how my pain could never add up to theirs. I was still depressed over this little boy but for some reason my arm didn;t seem to hurt as bad.
The good news is they revived him. I cried once again, this time over the good news. I guess sometimes we just need our eyes opened.
That was my thoughts too Lorri, we are so short staffed that we help people but it is almost like a production line, orders in, orders out, I actually took the time to sit down and breath and talk to the man. I guess I needed that to get refocused.
Fireyone, glad to hear the little boy was okay, maybe every one's prayers added up and tipped the scale in his favor.
YOu guys have some really good heart warming stories, I think that you are right where you need to be goodnatured, you do a good job, it must be very rewarding.
fireyone---are you feeling a little better? How great to hear that the baby survived.
It is always good to have a good ending in a situation like this, where were the parents?
Yes feeling alot better. Soemtimes I jsut let it all get to me. I had my nepwew this weekend and that really brought up my spirits..took him to the fair and taught him how to say "moo". Soemtimes its the simplier things ya know?
The bot is fine now. His parents are Amish neighbors and they honestly need to start watching their children more. I always see little ones along side the roadway and walking with other sisters and brothers no more than 5 years old. It isn't just here but everywhere. Sometimes when a parent is with them they are way up the road and the children are trailing in a line way behind. It really angers me.
I think this one hit home a little more because I am really close to my 1 and half year old nephew and I could just picture him. In anycase it really is a shame.
I hear ya fireyone, I am glad to hear he is ok.
I am glad to hear that the little boy is okay too and happy to hear that you got to spend time with your nephew and that that made you feel better.
The amish around where we live have a lot of children, I think they do it to have the help around the farms and the house. We have an amish farm up the road and those little kids work harder then some adults that I know. I buy my straw there for winter, those little boys can toss a bale of straw.
Alot better workers than most teens today. I don't see how they are functioning with out jobs. I know around here our teenagers and others are resorting to selling perscription oills for money. We need to send them to Amish work camp. A lot of Amish has rules from the church where unless it is medically necessary or the wife is risking her own death she isn't allowed any type of birth control,even abstinance, she just has top continue having kids.
Our neighbor down the road was really depressed she kept getting pregnant. She was literally at her end. It took alot of talking to the church and doc orders before she was allowed to have birth control.
That is so out of touch with the reality of today's world.
I know it is really disturbing. I would hate to be an amish woman.
No kidding. It may be a simplier form of life but I will still pass.
It just amazes me sometimes, you see the guys out on contractor jobs and you see them of both sexes in the stores shopping. So if you are going to enjoy some modern conviences, why the hell would you not consider birth control. I can not imagine the condition of some of these womens insides, they have them really close together. It is nuts but if you are gonna be modern in one way, then get it together where it would help health wise too.
I actually remember a few years ago that the amish were trying to get some of the locals to impregnate their women to get some different bloodlines because they were pretty much getting to all be related in these small communities where there is not much interaction with other amish. Strange, but I guess if they wanted to keep their bloodlines healthy this would be the route to take.
The bloodline thing has became a very big issue in the Amish community as of the past few years. They have actually broken up entire communities and scattered them from state to state to get the bloodlines flowing again. You can tell that something isn't quite right in this neck of the woods by looking at some of them.
I know Amish that collect foodstamps and med. through our welfare program even though they do not pay into it. I guess they can not turn them down due to discrimination.
Well that should be expected with the intermarrying---like in that FLDS family where the kids were all taken away---wouldn't you get confused with who you belong with?
You would think this would be illegal, especially if the kids are being born with the obvious signs.
I think the illegality of situations like that are gotten around by loopholes etc. Like that Warren Jeffs idiot who was marrying underage girls to old men. Definitely illegal (agewise), but it was probably gotten around because of the compound where they lived was considered a special place or something. I'm thinking of something like an Indian Reservation. They have to observe some state and local laws, but are able to get around others, by being on a reservation.
Truly absurd....Just like Amish who can use our phones, vehicles and roads but not pay any taxes.
Pennies on the dollar for this collection account
Just like the Federal Reserves. banks and or creditors create money out of nothing. Its all digital money for banks. When you asked to get that credit card, they did not give you cash, they give you plastic. Its all fake money that was digitally created by the creditor. That is the reason when consumer goes to collections, they are able to sell the account to a collection agency pennies on the dollar. The original creditor(bank) never loses anything because they made some interest out of literally nothing. Fake debt! In your case, the original creditor most likely sold that account to that collection agency for about $50 to $150 tops giving them a 300% profit margin which is why they are so nice to you...Try to negotiate lower, you have nothing to lose! They are not even reporting it to the bureaus. Do you guys know why?????Anyone???Because it is overhead costs. It cost money to report to the bureaus.HMMM
To learn more about collection agencies and how to stop them from collecting on you and stop them check out www.AttractiveCreditSecrets.com I learned a lot there.
quite the advertiser for this site Credit..please be sure to let the posters know if there is a small charge for using this site.
I totally recommend it. There is a SMALL charge of $67 to guide you through your self help credit repair mission.
Thanks for the heads up fireyone. Anything else!
thats not too bad.
I am always leary of companies that offer these types of services, there are non profits that will help you through it, CCC, consumer credit counselling is a non profit that offers services, I used them a long time ago, they look at your situation, contact your creditors and then you pay them one set amount a month and they make all the arrangements with your creditors, once one is paid off you continue to pay that same amount stated and then it is applied to another bill that you have listed with them. They are totally free and grant funded.
I would check them out before I dished out any money to anyone, there is one in every county in Pennsylvania and I am sure they are through out other states.
I don't think that you need to pay any money to learn how to repair your own credit. It is a simple process and has been discussed several times in this forum. All you need to do is to pull out your credit report and find out the negative listings in your credit report. The entire process of how to repair your own credit by yourself can be found out from this FTC link.
Yes, I agree with Carol. The FTC even recommends repairing of credit by yourself. This saves the money which would have otherwise gone to the credit repair agencies for their service. Even if you sign up for a credit repair service, you should not pay them until they have satisfied you with their credit repair service and this is as per the credit repair organizations Act. Moreover, no repair agencies can remove the negative information from your report if it is a correct listing. If it is an inaccurate listing, you can remove it from your report by sending a dispute letter to the bureaus for free. If you go through this forum, there are numerous discussions which will help you out to repair your credit.
Thank you Justin for making that clear about the debt repairs limitations on what they can and can not do. I see there have been several here advertising, which to me is a little decieving, connecting oneself to this site kind of leads some false recommendation from this site. I think that some folks may sign up for them thinking that there is some kind of affiliation between them and this site.
I am glad that you made it clear that there are steps that can be taken by the debtor themselves that can clear up their report versus paying a debt repair company for the service with their limitations.
I have been really stressing this point. You see a lot of credit repair places posting here recently and I just want to let anyone looking for answers that a repair place isn't the only option and in fact should not be the first option. Just take a try and begin to fix it on your own. There is lots of guidance here on how to begin. A little time and effort and a person would be amazed at how much they can do. Not to mention it is a really good learning experience.
I agree whole heartedly, learn what you can, give it your best shot, come here and get advice, share results.
Perfectly put Gn. It really takes helping one another these days.
Back to the original post, I could not come up with the money to pay them all at once. I get a call every now and then from them, I am gonna give them a call on friday and see if I can set up some type of payment arrangement with them to get rid of it. Even if I can do $100 a month, not real sure what they have in mind, but will have to call and find out, so there will be more to follow here.
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CREDITPRO....can I ask you something please? Do you work with a 'credit repair' company? Just curious. I'm not putting you down. Yo seem to have some wonderful advice to give. However..I DO have to say that "small amount" ( $67.00) can be a very LARGE amount, to some people on this forum..including myself. I agree with CAROL, I believe if we can repair our credit ourselves. Thanks for the site, CAROL. I'm very cautious of having to pay for 'credit tips'.
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I forgot to ask.can someone tell me about Hertiage CC? Are they for people with bad credit?
Sd anytime you have a question about a company it is a great idea to ask but don't forget to get the info first hand too. By this I mean instead of taking someones direct word for it take some time and "google" the company, check the BBB, and whatever else you can think of. I have seen alot of people get burned by taking someone elses word for something. It just happened to me. I took my Bro's advice about an atty to hire after my accident. I have done soo much work on my own case and have to practically pull teeth to get them to answer any questions...they are even a big law firm...also do your own checking also.
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Well.................true. That was 'my bad'. I shouldn't take ANYONE's word on something...I should do the reasearch myself. Not saying that CreditPro ISN'T telling the truth. Just trying to be cautious about hings. Thanks, FIREYONE.
Better safe than sorry...didn't want to sound bossy but I have been thee and done that and it was "my bad" didn't want to see you do the same.
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I appricaite it. I know you 'got my back.' Thanks.
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SDCHARGERS...To be honest, I have worked with collection agencies, mortgage companies and credit repair law firms. I have skills to repair credit and I do it for a living. I always advice consumers that it is better to go the self help route because it costs nothing other than the time you invest(time = money). www.AttractiveCreditSecrets.com is a self help credit repair program that simply teaches you the secrets, tactics and strategies credit repair agencies use today!!....Now you can apply these tactics yourself . You can spend countless hours navigating the net for these secrets(good luck) or take the shortcut for only $67. Also $67 dollars can be a small amount or a large amount, it is a personal opinion. I am from SD BTW. ;)
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CREDITPRO......you're from San Digo? I am ORIGINALLY from there. Chargers aren't doing well, this season, but..I still stick with them. Wow...can you PM and tell me WHERE in SD you live? SD County is a pretty big county..LOL
I am from Chula Vista, CA. I gave up on Chargers back in 94 when they played Frisco!!! Since I was a kid i liked the Cowboys!!
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Chargers will always be 'my' team. I'm from San Diego County.
Thats why we all have our own opinions..Mine personally is the steelers but of course I was raised in PA.