Dell Harrassing Me

At this early stage it is best to attempt ALL of your efforts toward Dell (the original creditor) Work your way up (NanaC says persistence is the key) until you find someone at Dell who can help you with your problem. Send a letter via PlanetFeedback immediately. I am not sure what Dell will ask for to return to their good graces (bringing the account up to date is what I would offer) but if things went as you described, it does seem they are being a bit rash and you may find someone at Dell who will review your situation and hopefully take appropriate action.

As you say, your situation is already bad if you must deal with the CA...it won't get any worse if you learn Dell will do nothing and you then have to start dealing with the CA at that later date.

Good Luck,

- Peace, Dave

 

What would Dell do in the event that the purchaser sends a C&D letter to the CA saying they intend to resolve this with the original creditor?

I'm not sure how this would work. Usually it's old and closed accounts that are discussed here when it comes to C&D letters.

 

Yes, yes, yes..up the ladder...all the way to the top. For sure, get PlanetFeedback working for you, an online BBB report is in order, as well! Get Loud! Be sure to document every rude remark, every frustration, every illegality along the way...You'll hit someone that will realize you are building quite a documentation file!!!

(Thinking to self that she is glad Dell fell through!)

 

Don't get confused ... LIVE IT ... IT IS REALITY. I would pay DELL the $275 and KEEP THE CANCELLED CHECK!!! You will have a powerful case against the CA and Dell and the CRA's for any action or notation on your account/report

-Peace, Dave

 

This is very strange.

If Dell sent your account to a collection agency, doesn't that mean your entire account goes to the agency or can a company purchase the services of a CA to only collect what's past due?

I've never used Planetfeedback and really don't know how it works, but I have seen a number of posts on this board talking about the results they've achieved by using that service to contact companies. I'd say that's your best bet right now.

And definitely pay the bill to Dell as if all is well and don't lose the cancelled check.

 

Ok, I have lurked here for a while but just had to respond to this...my husband purchased a Dell system, and used Dell Financial Services. They are strange. 'Nuff said. We mail payments (we're in a rural area and our mail is bizarre, but that's another story. We even had a carrier that stashed credit card bills in her garage. which sparked a postal investigation) and it takes forever for DFS to post them and clear the bank. Try weeks. I honestly don't know if it's Dell or the mail, but I am thinking it's DFS.

Anyway, the last payment apparently got there after the cycle closed and we got a letter that alluded the account would be called due--it was from a Chicago address and sounded rather CA-like...but was really from Dell. A day or two later the check finally cleared (duh) and the terse phone calls we'd gotten stopped. So I assume they are happy now!

I really think this is a scare tactic they use...we also then got our regular statement from them with no mention of outside collections. I do know that DFS must be horribly understaffed--they were always hiring several months ago (and contract labor jobs, not real Dell employees) and when we had to call we'd hold forever (finally gave up so have no clue if anyone works there or not).

I'd just keep paying via the statements from Dell FS. But after your weirdness with them and now our experiences, I don't know if I'd ever use them again for financing a computer. The flip side is we really like our computer!

Go figure. Hope they just leave you alone once it get caught up!

 

Tip
Make 2 or 3 copies of both sides of the check and put them in different places for safe keeping .

 

Planetfeedback is super easy...all menu driven. I'm learning so much more about them daily. Again, today, I got a response from a complaint. The response was by snail mail and it took me resending the complaint (Wal-Mart) 3 times..but I got it!! So, definitely send it again and again..that's 2 now that took a few times to get responses and both were postiive responses.

Try 'em, you never know..and you can post your letter as a shared letter so it's public...a business won't like that (you can edit out any personal info).

Good luck

 

Nave:

Absolutely correct!

But he should not wait to start dealing with the collection agency either. He should start right off with a dispute letter and work it just like he would with any other situation. If Dell accepts the money he just might be able to get the collection agency in an awful good bind.

 

Since this went to collection SO FAST, I would ass-u-me Dell has their own collection department (agency) and this is NOT a separate entity who bought the debt...when the $275 gets paid to Dell, this will all clear up.

However, if not you have a good point Bill...

If it is a separate entity who bought the debt from Dell you are correct, it would be best to work on all 3 at the same time here...(1)checking and disputing with the CRAs in case the CA is reporting this, (2)working with Dell to remain a customer in good standing with the original creditor, and (3) getting the CA to screw up and or getting them off your back completely.

Actually 1 2 and 3 together could give you a good suit against the CA if Dell accepts the check, the CA reports and continues to try and collect the debt.

In the past, I have tended to ignore CA's and try everything I could to work with the original creditor. However after reading this board, I have much less of a feeling of timidness toward CA's (ignoring them somewhat) and much more confidence in dealing with them head on.

-Peace, Dave