Fico_Goin_Up Posted January 11, 2008 Report Share Posted January 11, 2008 Hello all - I'll try to be as brief as possible.Had 5 cell lines with Cellular One (3 are minors)... got in a bind and was focused on paying 'critical' bills and anything that reports to CRA's - let Cellular One slip a few months. Got agreement from them that if I pay X by a certain day, everything will be fine. Call to make that payment of X and am told Sorry, today is DAY #91 - there is NOTHING we can do for you - we are charging you for the past due balance ($458) PLUS cancellation fees, taxes, yada yada yada to the tune of $2k!!!!!!!!!!! (highway robbery)... Eventually get to a supervisor that tells me I can reinstate account for "only" $990-something and they will credit back the cancellation fees and I'm good to go - just have to get new SIM cards, etc. Quite frankly, I don't give a HOOT about the phones, just do NOT want this hitting my credit report, so am willing to reinstate and ride out (I think).I spoke to their financial services department - they say you have until January 16 to pay the $990 otherwise it goes to collections. I get a letter and a phone call from Bureau of Collection Recovery for the $2,000 balance. Today I contacted Cellular One to reconfirm what they agreed to about the $990 and ask why this went to collections when I was told I have until the 16th. Their response is oh we work with them all the time, you can just go into the store and make the payment or give it to us over the phone but you'll still have to go to get new SIM cards (another rip off). Meanwhile, I keep asking what about the collection agency - what is my motivation to pay this off if you're going to hit my credit report anyway? (It has not as of yet, by the way). Rep not very bright - originally told me I paid the $2k (yeah, right).I call the collection agency (I know, I know... but had no intention of paying anything)... the rep first starts to say, no, you have to pay us - i can offer you 80% ! (piss off) Long story short - he eventually says he's seen it go either of two ways 1) Cell One recalls the account when I make good with them and pay the $990 and they credit back the fees; or 2) they take the payment, don't credit back the early termination fees and sic the collection agency on me for the balance.Thank you if you've read this far. Here is my question: I TRULY cannot afford to make this payment - I have farrrrrrr more critical things to pay, the only reason I considered squeezing money to pay this is so that I could avoid something negative hitting my credit - i'm trying VERY hard to improve my scores. I'm worried about the risk of me making this payment and them turning around and dinging me anyway! I'm very late on my mortgage - on a payment plan with them - am getting dinged on that... don't give a crap about Cell One... does anyone have any opinions on what I should do? Cell One said they would not give me something in writing to say this will be taken back from the Collection agency. Note, it is not on my report YET. I have not DV'd this letter yet - just got it.Your feedback, thoughts, advice, anything is greatly appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokeinok Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Pay the house.... screw the cellular! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Magdalen77 Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Pay the house.... screw the cellular!My opinion too. Otherwise it's too much like throwing good money after bad money and 1 to 10 the cell phone company screws him anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robert Nashville/Savannah Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Understand that the cell phone company doesn't have to do anything they haven't agreed to do in writing and even then you could well have to sue them to get them to live up to their agreement.Meaning, you pay them and you roll the dice as to wheather they'll do what they've told you and based on their record so far, I woudn't trust them to tell you what date it is.Until you finances are under control a cell phone bill and your credit rating shoud be about last on your list of things to worry about.When you are under attack, you circle the wagons - it's time to circle and get your mortgage up to date; and if you want a cell phone, get a pre-paid provider. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freak Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 I don't think there is any question that the house comes first. When I was down on my luck, I always did my best to work with the people that worked with me; even if I did fall behind before I called a couple of them to beg for forgiveness. If you've offered to make good - even if it was payment arrangements, and they refused, hang your hat on the fact that you tried, and they can get at the back of the line. Either way, it sounds inevitable. IMO of course. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fico_Goin_Up Posted January 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Thank you to all of you that have responded. I REALLY needed to hear this. I've been working myself into a tizzy over finances - trying so hard to get caught up. I'm not a "him" by the way - I'm a her. I am for the most part the sole breadwinner in a household of 9 (husband, 6 kids and 1 grandchild). I'm the one that manages the finances and have had nobody to really talk this over with that 'gets it' and I knew that there are so many great minds on this forum that I could count on. So THANK YOU for that.How very true - the house comes first... and until I'm caught up that's the biggest ding I'll ever have on my credit. I must never forget that - I worked my a** off to buy this house. Thanks to you all I feel very relieved... now this money can be put to GOOD use. A pox on Cellular One is all I have to say. I've never really bought into the idea of cell phones for kids... until I opened this account and the sales pitch on hey you can get all these other lines for practically nothing... meanwhile, who knew the cancellation fees were outrageous. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
brokeinok Posted January 12, 2008 Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Another thing to consider, I had AT&T try to do this to me when I switched to Cingular (many years ago before the merger). I complained to the BBB and they cancelled the charges and removed it from my CR. Doing the BBB will put you into contact with someone much higher up in the organization that can get things accomplished... never hurts to try.Concerning your finances, have you made a debt listing and also a budget? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fico_Goin_Up Posted January 12, 2008 Author Report Share Posted January 12, 2008 Yes, I have made a debt listing and a budget. In fact I made a whole "recovery plan" a few months ago to get me back on track, knowing it would take some time to get there. I've had a few curve balls thrown my way, but am getting there. It is just overwhelming at times.Thanks for the suggestion on the BBB - will consider this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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