Hi Lattie Funny you should say this, as I PMd someone yesterday with an apology for the nonsense I had posted on his thread (interspersed, I hasten to add, with what I thought was sound advice). Fortunately, he had taken it in the spirit I had intended. But in the six months I've been posting and reading I've come to realise that the forum comprises a great assortment of personalities many of which are highly vulnerable, but maybe not only through debt? I've only lived in England for about six years after spending virtually all my working life abroad, and it constantly amazes - and sometimes shocks - me how the people have changed. I don't think there's any problem with pinkduchess and her site, though, and I feel pete and freaky are definitely in tune. Can't see what it's to do with Honkers and Shankers anymore - but I love it! Wish deedee would come aboard! Right now I'm up Effluent Creek with nary a paddle in sight so can't even accept pd's offer of specific, personal tuition. As ever. Van

Over the last couple of months I have received three letters from Northern Rock asking me to pay my originally agreed instalment on an unsecured loan rather than the amount being paid by the CCCS on a DMP. Wonder why? Have replied to each using CAG template letters, but no replies received. Today arrives an A5 size card headed ******IMPORTANT - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY***** We have tried to contact you without success and as a result we are considering sending one of our representatives to visit you at your home. To avoid this action please call 0844 4778430 between the hours of 8am and 9pm Monday to Friday or 8am and 6pm Saturdya or 10am and 4pm Sunday Northern Rock plc, Northern Rock House, Newcastle upon Tyne NE3 4PL I live on an estate where I am sure Postperson Pat knows more about each one of than anyone else. Although I would be the last to accuse him personally of any indiscretion, we do experience a significant amount of misdirected mail, and I find this NR tactic rather despicable. I doubt they would have put the card inside an envelope even if they could afford any! Suggestions for a suitable response welcome. Vandermerwe

What an excellent and well written response Laiste. As I am not like pd, pete and the others I turn into a pumpkin around this hour and intend posting on my own thread tomorrow to which I might guide you for needed advice. I am curious about one point on this thread, however. Why do you advocate the 'next day special delivery service'? Surely if something is sent by 'recorded signed for delivery' - and of course signed for = it achieves the same objective? Best wishes. Vandermerwe

Hi Shonk The first thing that strikes me is that the alleged debt might be statute barred which could account for the problem. It's obviously been passed from hand to hand over the last eight years or so (probably at a decreasing cost for each sale) which again suggests it could be a problem for the DCAs. Suggest you research Arrow/Transcom using Google UK. I think you'll then come to the conclusion they are quite new in the UK and could well be having problems with coming to grips with UK practices. Who was the original creditor - do you in fact know? There is a technique for offering a payment in full and final settlement, but the wording must be very precise and there are others (or links) to guide you. By the way I have sent you a PM. Regards. Van

Good morning Mallanx Don't even think about bankruptcy, or even IVAs. You've been given the best possible advice here by several experienced advisers. If you have been shelling out £800-£900 per month CCCS can agree a budget with you, take a debit order from you in the 1st of the month, pay your creditors a prorata amount on the 25th of every month, (hopefully) get them to play ball and stop charging interest, and let you get on with your life. I've been with them for over a year now and am too embarrassed to say what I owe and the amount I pay each month. They are a registered charity and make no charges whatsoever. So - get with it - give them a call on 0800 138-1111 (best time to call is 08.00) Good luck and please keep us posted - even if you get everything sorted out. Regards. Vandermerwe

Having got that query put forward to johnny, I'm quite happy to watch pd having a bit of the old doh-si-do with her partner (in Spanish of course) and even jowalshy on the grapevine and stripping the willow. Wish I knew what these ancient feudal customs were. Perhaps Freaky will enlighten me? Are they anything like Morris dancing where all the chaps go jingle-jingle when they go to the Gents' (sorry unisex restrooms)? I'm game for mostly anything (but not daisy chains!) See yawl there folks. Van

Now Johnny, you've really got me confused after a bad day:confused: I think we're both on the same wavelength, as it were, but just can't believe it was Audreygreeneyes who enlightened you as she is so correct in all her posts. So who's Auburn? Must admit the name's vaguely familiar but can't find her on the 'search' function:confused: Mind you, if it is Audreygreeneyes who's usually doing it, then I just hope she's wearing her dark trouser suit so nobody notices;) This thread is really taxing the old grey matter: before much longer I'll be able to understand what they say on 'Eastenders'. See you at Freaky's party? Best wishes. Van

Can't help you directly Jerry. I'd love to see an exposé of the scumbags and their tactics. I've actually suggested to several posters they contact one of a number of columnists in the Sunday financial press, but no-one has seen fit to do so as yet. You might like to read the posts on the thread 'Out of the eater came forth meat', or check through the posters on the 'A word from the banks' forum. Best of luck! Vandermerwe

Hi Ian and Emma First of all, best of luck! A couple of points if I may. First of all I believe you should only deal in writing, keeping a copy of each letter and using signed for recorded delivery. It's a hassle, it costs £1.04 a time, and although it might not be necessary for BT it is absolutely essential for any communication with Wescott. Secondly I suggest you get a copy of your credit file from Experian as they own Wescott. Ethical or what? Regards. Vandermerwe

Good luck W.G. There's a post on another thread suggesting you e-mail [email protected] for information. Have just done so and received automated received reply, so waiting! Regards Vandermerwe

Hi ICBI You are sending your letters by signed for recorded delivery (that's the one that costs £1.04) and keeping a copy aren't you? Good luck. Vandermerwe

Keep me a good looking sheep Freaky. You'll recognise me 'cos l'll be the one in a Springbok jersey. Another true story from law-student lore. Defendant appearing at Worcester Crown Court on a rather disgusting charge was asked if he had anything to say in his defence. He told m'lud he'd drunk eight pints of cider and as he walked home the sheep had smiled at him and so he couldn't help himself. Think I've now figured out for myself what pmsl means after last night's nocturnal chats. An educational thread indeed, pd, bet you're still sleeping:cool: Regards to all. Van

Hi Naz. Belated welcome, but at least you've got Freakyleaky aboard. Listen to what,and do, what he says. I'm in the same boat. Yup £150 a throw for 'arrangement fees' The *ankers couldn't 'arrange' the proverbial urinary discharge in a brewery. You've probably had a computer generated letter telling you to 'seek advice' from several named sources. I have. The National Debtline told me to open a parachute account and claim back. The swine have been nicking my pension (only source of income for two humans and two dachshunds), I sent the 'Benefits First Appropriation' letter (qv) a week ago. No response. But also think I have managed to stop Gordon Grim's stipend going into the account on Monday. My limit is also £1000. The phone has been going mad with calls from the Philippines. Mrs. Van thinks they are from a floozy I met there as the caller doesn't leave a message on the answering machine. Going to be an interesting week ahead methinks, but I've managed to pay my mortgage already from the parachute account. Gawd bless 'em all. Good luck. Vandermerwe

Ohmygawd - the ever watchful pink eye!:o But she's lovely. even though she only works at night. Muchos sueños buenos, querida. Van

Hi PD Thanks for the PMs. We're going to lay this ghost together aren't we? Oh dear, having said that, Pete will come up with something won't he? Have spent the day getting my parachute account set up for internet banking - it's working - it's in credit:D but only thanks to Vandermerve minor who spiked it. VDM major, regrettably, doesn't give a stuff about his Dad - which I can handle - or his mother (which, actually, I can't handle:() What's all this about Freaky and a deer joke? I've been swapping a few with him on a newbie's site (Shonk) and he's sounding a bit frisky. Good oke is Freaky - doesn't take offence about rugby comments:D I really loved your joke - honest - I really appreciate those where the sting's in the tail. Oh, b****r I've done it again - really pd I'm not doing the double entendres on purpose Wait for me tomorrow. Van

Hi Shonk. You must think you've subscribed to 'The Goon Show' or 'Monty Python' from what's on your thread already! Apart from the chit-chat with Freaky Leaky I must tell you to beware of Arrow. They only recently came into the UK from the US of A to tell us limeys how to collect debts - bit like how they came and won World War II for us. I do not believe you could have run up a debt with them - I'll bet my bottom dollar they have bought a debt from someone else (at a guess I'll say MBNA or one of their other companies) and I think you should transfer your thread to the DCA forum and search for Arrow and/or CBS Transcom. The badinage above should show the site isn't all doom and gloom, and you must read the thread pinkduchess - v - HSBC when you have a day and a half to spare, but before you move your thread I must respond to Freaky L. about the post he found, obviously, mildly amusing:D:D It was my second favourite from "Private Eye" but my most appreciated occurred in 1968, and, at enormous time and trouble I have searched the Vandermerwe Library of Classic Works to find "The Private Eye Story" (which bears the 1982 "Happy Christmas Dad" inscription from Van major and Van minor.) It's also rather relevant to the forum and the type of letter we poor sods receive. In 1971 "Private Eye" was sued for libel as they had alleged 'unsavoury' debt collectors were receiving back-handers. [Can you believe it?] They received a letter from a somewhat notorious firm of solicitors which read: We act for Mr. Arkell who is Retail Credit Manager of Granada TV Rental Ltd. His attention has been drawn to an article appearing in the issue of 'Private Eye' dated 9th April 1971. The statements made about Mr. Arkell are entirely untrue and clearly highly defamatory. We are therefore instructed to require from you immediately your proposals for dealing with the matter. Mr. Arkell's first concern is that there should be a full retraction at the earliest possible date in 'Private Eye' and he will also want his costs paid. His attitude to damages will be governed by the nature of your reply. Yours etc. Their reply was as follows: We acknowledge your letter of 29th April referring to Mr. J. Arkell. We note that Mr. Arkell's attitude to damages will be governed by the nature of our reply and would therefore be grateful if you could inform us what his attitude to damages would be, were he to learn that the nature of our reply is as follows: **** off. Yours etc. I gather this story has gone into law-student lore as 'Arkell - v - Pressdram. Regards. Van P.S. Don't let pd know I quoted a naughty expression in full! P.P.S. Needn't bother: Big Brother BBCd it. I don't normally use the vulgar tongue in English (but see my Chilean colloquialisms on pd's site referred to above!) though in this case I believe its use essential to appreciate the acerbic reply.

That's very kind of you FL. Am quite sure you must be referring to my computer and not my Political Correctness! Regards. Van

Thanks Ell-enn. Hope people use it, but you're probably not on Maggie's list of favourites at the moment! Love your avatur - just what is it you're pumping or shovelling? Regards. Van

Mistral does not seem to be available on the forum, but that's unimportant. I use it for signatures on letters to undesirables. I seem to have a load of fonts available and just scroll down to Mistral, click on 20 point (and bold if I'm feeling bolshie) and make my mark, as well as Mrs. Van's if necessary. Easier and quicker than trying to say Howard Cohen of Cleckheaton. Van

Thanks FL - if you want to know why I have been so quiet lately take a look on pinkduchess - v - hsbc. Best wishes. Van

Well done Ell-enn. Better get in quick folks as Seán Mahon. Chief Executive of Cattles plc (phone number looks like a mobile 07733 124226) retires on September 30 to be replaced by David Postings (ex-Lloyds TSB and Barclays). E-mail addresss is [email protected] and so they're probably screened. Probably better to write a letter to Head Office: Cattles plc Kingston House Centre 27 Business Park Woodhead Road Birstall Batley WF17 9TD Telephone: 01924 444466 Now where have I seen that address and phone number before? Step forward The Lewis Group, CL Finance, Welcome Car Finance and others:D Suggest all those who are p****d of with their tactics write to Seán and wish him whatever you feel is appropriate for his retirement. Alternatively, write to the lad David after October 1st and Welcome [sic] him aboard. Should give Postperson Pat some heavy work! Oh, yes and don't forget the friend of us all Howard Cohen - it's OK to use the same address as letters sent recorded delivery to the para-militiaries in Cleckheaton are signed for by someone giving 'Lewis Group! Van

Sorry Daisy 1275 but are you sure your post refers to GE Capital? If not, you would probably find it more helpful to repeat the post on the forum relating to the bank concerned. Regards. Vandermerwe

Good morning Shonk I owe Freakyleaky an apology. As I said, he's brilliant at these kind of things and I really meant to put a wink;) after my comment about rugby. I'm sure he'll understand. Van

For what it's worth, I usually use Mistral 20 point for signatures. Looks classy and is evident it is not a personal signature. Regards Vandermerwe

Shonk, Freakyleaky is right as always (except on matters of rugby but that's not we're here for). But DO NOT PHONE THE B....... ever again. All communications must be in writing with a copy retained and also sent by signed for recorded delivery. You can choose either to keep the GPO receipts or print out a signed receipt of delivery from www.royalmail.com It's a hassle, will cost £1.04 a time, but is particularly important with this crowd. Good luck. Vandermerwe