Getting in a pickle with the phone bill...

[Peepo]

I closed my account with BT to open one with NTL.
I asked BT if my final bill could be paid in installments as it was in the middle of my quarterly bill time & the usual bill wasnt due for another 8 weeks.

They said the only way I could pay my bill in installments was by letting it go to a debt collection agency. (a 25% charge would also be added by the debt collection agency)
All BT could offer was a months extension to pay.
So I took the months extension knowing there would be no way I could pay, but that it would at least give me some respite.

Now the bill has gone to the debt collection agency.

I have offered them £20 a week, but they wont budge on £45 per week which I cant afford. And they are now telling me more charges will be added if the account isnt clear by 2nd July.
I was under the impression that in these circumstances the agency have to take whatever Im offering?

They are adamant there is no way they can change the account. Ive told them Im a student & also unemployed at this time, but still they are adamant that the account needs to be clear by 2nd July.

Does anybody have any info on what I can do?

Thanks in advance for replies

[mahala]

put your offer in writing and whether they accept it or not, pay what you've offered. This will cover you for the time being at least. I know you won't want it to get this far, but if it goes to court, you will have shown a clear intention to pay.

There are some rules about this, let me find them and come back (unless someone else can quote them now?)

[StoneLaughter]

Let's face it, it's going to look pretty silly to a court if they take you to court for not paying, when they've turned down your every offer...

[Peepo]

Yeah thats what I thought, that they wouldnt want it to go to court if Ive offered to pay because they'll look stupid.

I went to the citizens advice beaurau years ago & I seem to remember him saying to me that if I offered to pay they have to accept what Im offering.

I cant help thinking they guy on the end of the phone is just being an arse & that I am entitled to have the payment arrangements changed.

Whats also annoying is I always get the same guy when I phone & when I ask he wont let me speak to anyone else

[comanche]

Ok first thing is ring them if they are being that difficult. Conduct everything in writing as that will give you evidence if this is ever put in front of a judge. Prepare a statement of your income and expenditure, work out what you can afford and make an offer based on this amount and no more.

The DCA doesn't have to accept your offer. In fact assuming that the debt is still owned by BT, it's BT that will make the ultimate decision although the DCA as their agent may have preset criteria.

Do not accept that they can simply add charges to the account. You need to look at each charge and see whether it is a penalty or for the provision of some sort of service.