Scottish Power Charges

[uber gribbler]

I have a bill for Scottish POwer (approx £750) that I have been trying to organise payment for for some months now.

I initially had an arrangement to pay 60 a month, but due to financial issues I missed a payment.

I have since moved out of the property, and am willing to pay the bill as I have used the gas and electric.

When I phoned SP back to see about arrging another payment schedule the told me that I had to pay off approximately £300 before they would even entertain a payment plan. This wasn't possible, so I stupidly buried my head in the sand and hoped it would go away.

I picked up some mail from my old house and they have passed it to SPM Collections. After phoning them, they will only agree to let me pay it off over three months which works out at about 25 a month. Again I can't sustain this level of payment as I have other commitments (like food! and petrol to get to work)

Does anyone have any suggestions?

[buzby]

SP are not known to be sympathetic and in the past I've involven everyone from my MP to CAB. At this stage thier collection agency will be paid by results (I dont think the debt has been sold on). What strenghens their case is the previous arrangeent wasn't kept to - so they're putting the pressure on. If you can be seen as being responsible and trying to resolve the issue, you can possibly compromise but use an independent arbiter - but from what you say the debit is only £75 (3 x £25). I would doubt whether they would accept anything under £20pm if you are employed so it might be worthwhile visiting your local CAB (Citizen's Advice Bureau) as htey can often broker deals and know who to speak with. After all, you've nothing to lose in the short term....

[uber gribbler]

Thanks for the reply, sorry the debt is actually 750.

Am really going to struggle with what they are asking for.

[buzby]

Ah - they really will want to get it down to under £500 fast, the cost of court recovery (from their side) would be higher as they'll need to pursue you under Summary Cause rules and not Small Claims (I'm assuming you're in Scotland?). Call in to your local CAB, it's free and they may have some wrinkles that can ease your pain.... at least temporarily!

[uber gribbler]

I'm in England. I am happy to pay it off just not to the detriment of other commitments. I have IVA set up for all other debts and don't want to mess it up.

[sleepz]

I think as long as your making a token payment, it might only be £15 a month or something, but if it's all you can afford then there's not a lot they can really do about it.
As long as you are paying what you can there really shouldn't be a problem. If you are making payments to clear the debt I doubt any court in the country would even consider the case, they'd certainly be sympathetic to you if you are doing what you can to clear the debt.

[buzby]

Originally Posted by uber gribbler

I'm in England. I am happy to pay it off just not to the detriment of other commitments. I have IVA set up for all other debts and don't want to mess it up.

Ah - if you've an IVA they can't take you to court! In that case, decide on a figure you can afford that they can live with, and pay directly to SP (not the collections agency). Keep the payments regular and you should be OK.....

[uber gribbler]

I have an IVA for all other debts. not with them. Does this mean that they have to agree to let me pay them what I can afford

[tsvakayi66]

Originally Posted by uber gribbler

I have a bill for Scottish POwer (approx £750) that I have been trying to organise payment for for some months now.

I initially had an arrangement to pay 60 a month, but due to financial issues I missed a payment.

I have since moved out of the property, and am willing to pay the bill as I have used the gas and electric.

When I phoned SP back to see about arrging another payment schedule the told me that I had to pay off approximately £300 before they would even entertain a payment plan. This wasn't possible, so I stupidly buried my head in the sand and hoped it would go away.

I picked up some mail from my old house and they have passed it to SPM Collections. After phoning them, they will only agree to let me pay it off over three months which works out at about 25 a month. Again I can't sustain this level of payment as I have other commitments (like food! and petrol to get to work)

Does anyone have any suggestions?

Yes you buried your head in the sand and filled your ears with the same, but when you decided to have a bath the sand rolled out and you heard their call for your action.

We all do this at one point or so in life, but you are in the right track because you are communicating with them showing your intentions- that is good, but put your comminications with any of them in writing and don't wait for them to agree to any of your offers. Just start paying as much as you can towards the outstanding amount and keep the receipts as this will come in handy in all future agreements that you may need to enter into. By paying something you are showing what may be refered to as remorse, and believe me even if this case where to go before a judge, the action you will be taking will bear witness. Enough from me, I am no expert but I did the same with the same company and I am in very good books with them now.
A few weeks ago they even cancelled a sum I owed them because they mistakenly send it to debt collectors when I had not refused to pay. I pointed to my record with them and they said as a gesture of goodwill the debt was cancelled, thats how far things can go if you show that, yes!!! I had problems, but am willing to deal with the issue sensibly, can we talk. Try talking to supervisors or managers when you are serious about dealing with cases like this, they normally are bound by good business ethics to oblige to any offers, come on you want to pay, the sooner you start the better for them.

[buzby]

Originally Posted by uber gribbler

I have an IVA for all other debts. not with them. Does this mean that they have to agree to let me pay them what I can afford

There is an online register of folk who have entered into IVAs with the creditors (I'm only up to the Scottish version - its called DAS (Debt Arrangement Scheme) and is similar to the non-court Administration Order scheme. Basically if you've a number of IVA's by entering into an AO - Once a debt payment programme is approved, then a single regular payment is made to a payments distributor. The distributor will then pay the individual creditors.

Once in place, any fresh legal action for debt would be struck out - it certainly gives you breathing space and protection. A local CAB can give you proper advice based on your circumstances.