Amex/JAMS Timeline

[pulpfiction0]

Submitted my paperwork to JAMS along with the filing fee, claims both Amex (state law claims) and Zwicker FDCPA claims (which I assume they'll try to pull the 'not a signatory on the contract' stuff )

What's the typical timeline before Amex turns this over to their Arb law firm?

From there, how far down the road is the 1st phone conference/discovery?

Does Amex usually make a settlement offer before paying its initial fees?  Is it best to settle early or ride things all the way out to the 3-panel appeal?  Obviously my goal is not to win the arb; it's to get the best possible settlement terms.

[Goody_Ouchless]

28 minutes ago, pulpfiction0 said:

Does Amex usually make a settlement offer before paying its initial fees?  Is it best to settle early or ride things all the way out to the 3-panel appeal?  Obviously my goal is not to win the arb; it's to get the best possible settlement terms.

I believe what typically happens is Amex will offer some kind of payment plan, but they will follow all the way through. There were one or two secondhand stories from years ago that sounded like the whole thing got dropped after lingering for a year and a half - like a new staff took over and decided to clear out old cases. Everything we've seen here lately with Amex and Discover is that they will lose whatever it takes in order to make an example out of defendant. Someone recently reached three panel after Amex failed in an attempt to stick defendant with costs, so if you have the time, I guess there's nothing to lose in dragging it out.

[Clydesmom]

4 hours ago, pulpfiction0 said:

Is it best to settle early or ride things all the way out to the 3-panel appeal?  Obviously my goal is not to win the arb; it's to get the best possible settlement terms.

We have seen several threads where AMEX made one settlement offer and once it was rejected dug in for the long haul appeals included.  Generally if you piss the off they refuse to settle and go the distance.   You will know their stance when they refuse offers or don't respond at all to a settlement offer.

4 hours ago, pulpfiction0 said:

Does Amex usually make a settlement offer before paying its initial fees?

Depends on the case.

You are wanting cut and dry answers and each case has its own tenets and issues.  No two are identical even if they are very similar.