12.02.07
Update
OK, so yesterday I went through all my records and bills and straightened things up a bit. I made up budgets for the next few months and should be caught up very quickly. I was informed by payroll last week that my wages will be garnished for my student loan. I knew this was coming, and if this is what they want to do, fine. I was paying them less than they wanted so that I could pay down some of my smaller debts and get them out of the way so that I could pay about $1k a month to the student loan people in about a year. I’ve been paying them $150 a month but they want more. My contact in payroll says it’s usually about 15% of net income. Honestly? I can pay that. It means I won’t be able to pay my smaller debts as quickly as I’d like, but I can do it. If they take it out of my paycheck it’s easier for me anyway. Frankly, I’ll be glad to get the thing done with one way or another.
I also need to call Premier Bank because, although I paid their settlement offer on two of my four cards with them, they are still trying to get money for them. Uh, I don’t think so. I saved the receipt on my computer and have the confirmation code. I think sometimes companies to this because they figure if we have less-than-perfect credit that we aren’t good about keeping records. Well, I’m not perfect but my record-keeping of payments is pretty darn close. I probably sound paranoid about it, but I’m convinced that they are betting that’s what happened. The funny thing is that, while I am still paying off two cards that are in collections (and they seem to think I have four in collections) I’m still receiving pre-approved offers from them. Again — I don’t think so. It may take me several tries to learn one lesson, but I eventually do learn it.
06.12.07
This is why I don’t deal with creditors on the phone…
I deal with them in writing instead.
I started in January owing this particular creditory $1400. I’ve paid money on the account every month and, according to my records, owe $335. I plan on paying this off when I get paid this Friday.
So, just to be sure my figures were the same as theirs, I called last night to check. Yes, our figures are the same, which is great. However, after I said “I’ll pay you after I get my paycheck on Friday, just wanted to be sure our figures matched,” I’m asked, “So, do you want to pay that today?” I said I couldn’t, I will pay with my next paycheck, just wanted to check the number. Then I hear, “Well, can you pay half today?” What part of “I’LL PAY YOU WITH THE PAYCHECK I’M GETTING ON FRIDAY” don’t you understand? So, I said it again, still nice but slightly agitated, and she let it go. At least she didn’t say what I’ve heard before — “We take credit card payments, so you can pay it tonight if you put it on your credit card.” Well, then I’m not really paying it am I, although I know they don’t care about that as long as they are paid.
I realize they need to ask specific questions and she was nice and wasn’t the type who bullies or gets rude, but it’s just soooo ridiculous. I mean, I’ve paid off over $1000 on this account in the last 6 months, don’t you think I’ll actually pay that last amount so you can never hound me again?
