I know people have had good luck with them. Is it better to PFB them, or write directly? And how long should I anticipate waiting for a response? Thanks and Happy New Year!
jlynn, I wrote them directly to the Smith Road address that was on my credit report, and acheived outstanding results. A chargeoff with 7 derogs (including a 120) was changed into paid as agreed with no lates. Good luck! -HDAlex
HD, Can you post the address of Sears and if you have a contact person. Did you send it CRRR? Can you post a copy of your letter? Chitown "In it to Win"
I would appreciate as well.. I only have one late (97) on two accounts with them, but they verified on all 3 reports
Sears Attn: Customer Relations 133200 Smith Road Cleveland, OH 44130 August 26, 2002 REF: Account XXXXXXXXXX Dear Sir or Madam: I am writing to you concerning my Sears Charge account referenced above. In May of 2001, I moved from my Los Angeles residence to the address above. At that time, I called Sears and notified them of my address change and new telephone number. This was followed up with another telephone call when statements were still not arriving. At that time, I began the ritual of calling Customer Care to find out the balance due, and making an electronic payment. On August 24, 2001, I submitted an electronic payment through my bank that I believed satisfied the entire balance. Since the card did not carry an annual fee, I thought nothing of paying the bill until I made future purchases. Then, around the 1st of August this year, I received a letter from Universal Fidelity Corporation â?? your collection agent, demanding payment in the amount of $324.34. After calling Sears and the collection agent, I determined that I had erred in my assessment that the entire balance was paid, and immediately paid the full amount requested of $324.34, even though nearly $200.00 of that was in late fees and interest that I would have not accrued had I been receiving a monthly statement at my address. Eight months passed from the time the account first became delinquent before I was ever notified, and I am sure you can appreciate how I find myself at a loss to understand the whole affair. If you take a moment to verify my claims with your collection agent, you will find I was most accommodating and I paid the balance without any hassle or delay. To that end, I am asking as a Sears Charge cardholder for almost 6 years, if you can remove the charge off notation from my record with all 3 major credit reporting agencies (TU, Experian, Equifax), as an act of goodwill, in light of the errors made by the both of us. I appreciate you taking the time to read this letter, and I hope that you can find a way to resolve this to our mutual satisfaction. Sincerely Yours, Me
In truth, I forgot about the account when I moved, but Sears was paid in full, so they were accomodating. As for the letter, I didn't send it CRRR. There is something very formal about CRRR, and I think goodwill letters are best left to being informal. Hope this helps.
Thanks Alex for the letter. I agree that CRRR might be too formal. Do you remember if they were quick with their response? Or did you just see it on your CR?
I noticed the tradelines first, then a letter arrived a few weeks later. All in all, took about two months, and 37 cents. Very painless, if you ask me.
I just got off the phone with a Sears rep. She said I didn't meet the "parameters of a goodwill adjustment." Those "parameters" were no longer than "one 30 day late in less than two years." I was trying to get some lates removed from last year and about 18 months ago, when I had my accident and lost my job. No dice, though. She even mentioned the accident in her opening, but said that "Sears has to report everything as it happened". Really? What should I try next? I sent that letter through PFB after getting no results from the goodwill address.
I signed up on the searscard.com website, and then the Customer Service link. I then used the 'messaging' link to send an email asking for a goodwill adjustment on 7/9. Two days later they sent me what I thought was a canned response saying they forwarded it to the appropriate department. Ten days later, I did it again, being *very* nice in my message. Once again, a canned response, but I noticed 3-5 days later that they cleared my entire history except for a few lates about 18 mos ago, which was a LOT of lates! So dont give up hope, just try different avenues, and eventually you will catch someone in a good mood
Thanks for the good advice. Did just that a couple of minutes ago. It has worked for other people, and even though I got a "no" today, I'm going to keep trying.
