I have been paying CCCS for my Gateway/Cititbank acct and want to pay the total with tax refund. How does this letter sound? I figure why press my luck by offering less money- if they delete, I will pay outstanding balance. Jan '00 $1600, Apr '03 $1300- between the late fees and high interest we havent paid it down too much. TL has about 10 90 day lates (they were marking us 90 days even paying on CCCS I guess until we caught up or something) and some 30's and 60's and states CCCS. It looks BAD! Should I write up a copy for them to sign and return or have them draft their own agreement letter?? Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing this letter about my experience with Gateway that is a mixture of grateful â??thank youâ? and a pressing request concerning a Gatweway tradeline in my credit files that I would like to have revised. To begin, my wife and I are extremely grateful that Gatweway was willing to work with us in our extreme time of need by allowing us to pay through consumer credit counseling. Shortly after taking the loan out with your company, my life was turned upside down by the untimely diagnosis of cancer in my family. In short, the medical costs involved in obtaining the best care possible have been enormous and quite stressful. Throughout the whole ordeal, we were forced to sell our house and try to regroup our finances and formulate a plan. I fully recognize my responsibility with respect to payable accounts and have worked diligently to repay the debts as timely as possible. Thankfully through companies such as yours, there is an end in sight to our financial hardship. I would never have thought such a personal tragedy would come a surprising benefit- an education in financial management principles. Our goal after repaying our debts is to obtain a mortgage and purchase a home once again. It is with great pleasure I would like to offer a payment in full of our account with Gateway of $13XX.XX. I ask one more goodwill effort from your company in that you give me a second chance at a positive credit rating by revising your tradeline to paid as agreed, never late, with no notation of consumer credit counseling or payment arrangements. I sincerely hope that there is redemption at Gatweway and I beg you for such consideration. Please respond in writing if this request is agreeable to you. If I can be of further assistance in your decision please donâ??t hesitate to ask. I thank you again for your patience and understanding in this matter and look forward to a positive outcome for both of us. Sincerely,
I like the letter but... "Upon receipt of your positive response, you will promptly be paid in full. " This sounds like blackmail. I'd leave it out. Pay them regardless of whether they agree to revise the trade. Their "goodwill" is not subject to your cash.
You are right about that line. We will pay them regardless, I just dont want them to know that! Thanks (took it out entirely)
Call the person handling your collection account at Gateway and tell them what you want to do. Be NICE, sugar sweet. Get feelers for if this person has both the ABILITY and WILLINGNESS to update your tradeline. Ask them, if you can send the payment in full to their attn (CC/RR, of course). Send this letter along with the payment. If the person handling the account refuses to or cannot update to a positive rating, write that letter to the executive offices (AFTER having paid Gateway, and AFTER having gotten a letter confirm that the account balance is satisfied in full). Send your goodwill letter along with the payment confirmation from Gateway and state your case as above. I really like your letter, and asking for mercy, especially after having demonstrated a willingness to make some sort of restitution, usually ends with great results.
Thanks, got my fingers crossed!! I will call tomorrow and see if I can find a tender heart over there!
HEE HEE HEE Strike one: Called and baffled the CSR- she thought I wanted late fees removed (wasn't grasping I wanted lates off CR removed) I asked if she could transfer me to someone in charge of credit reporting, a supervisor. Got some guy on the line who referred to the FCRA and told me they cannot change information and if it is true must report it- no goodwill with him! I might call again tomorrow, but I just dont know how to find the right person so I will just mail in payment and send the letter after that if it doesnt work with payment.
