What has worked for you , professional looking, typed letters or hand written with a humanistic appeal. Also what types and color paper/envelope. Anything stand out as "best" or any thoughts on this?
Please. You aren't apply for a job. Most collectors (though, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt that they deal with some pretty tough people) I've unfortunately dealt with rarely even go as far as to extend any amount of courtesy. In fact, Chicago was recently having Ex-Cons collect debts for outstanding violations via the phone (when someone made a payment, it was tranferred to a payment specialist). The fact is, it's a buisness transaction. These people won't like you or dislike you or your circumstance any more or less based upon the color of paper, font, or whether or not its printed out. All you can you do is be as professional as possible, hope the company will be as well, as broker a deal that mutually benefits you and them as best as possible.
Actually thats not all true, CRA's scan mail and some get the automated response, so an unscanable print may force them to do a manual job. At least thats what I was told in 2005 by a cra, was her explanation of why I was always getting the same response letter..If I can get it done with the cra, I dont realy care about the CAs'. And thats a step up for Chicago didn't "collectors" used to knock door's up there..lol But thanks for your thoughts
What truly works is doing the homework behind the letter; the most important thing is getting it to the right person who truly can do something about the issue. I recommend a neat, concise typed letter. A letter of this type is a business letter, cut and dry. So, a simple business format is the most appropriate. Open the letter with your request, and as brief a summary of the situation as possible. Expand a bit in the body of the letter, then close with a summary of your request. The key is to hit their "motivation button", state why they should do what you request (i.e violations of laws, losing a customer, correcting an error, "you'll tell their boss, whatever....). State clearly what the violation was, error, etc. In the end, these letters must be able to stand up in court as viable documents, and you must appear to have proceeded as a "prudent man" would have (in the same situation). As for me, in the truly difficult situations, I have found direct phone calls, to the right person, have been the most effective. The letters have served as evidence when dealing with that person, and supported my case for my request. Remember, keep it simple and short, the more information you give, the more you can only hurt your case.
Thanks Bizwiz, Thats the kind of answer I was looking for, since we want to be "the average consumer" I wanted to have a better idea how others had results. I had A Credit repair co. in 2005 and it will make it harder now since everything already say's "verified". Thanks agian
