Does anyone know....?

[stupidgirl]

This is a bit of a wierd one, but I thought someone here might know. Two years ago I got a flyer through the door about Muzzy French courses. I bought the course for £250 in 5 installments.

The first installment went through on my c/card and then the next one was refused because I'd had my card replaced (due to fraud). I got a couple of very snotty letters when the next 2 payments were due, and each time I wrote back and explained what had happened, and provided my new payment details.

I got a letter last week from a debt collection agency collecting the installments for the company in question, stating that due to their mistake, the last 2 payments hadn't been collected. They claim that my card details are now out of date and can I provide the new ones so that they can collect the final 2 payments.

I've checked my c/card statement, and there have only been 3 payments collected, so, my question is, after 2 years, can they demand payment? As far as I was concerned I had paid, it was their admin error, and I have even sold the course on as it was rubbish! I can't really afford nearly £100 now. IS there anything I can do? Or am I obliged to pay up?

TIA

you are obliged to ppay but what you do is get crafty contact them through letter offering to pay fifty pound a month as agreed in the original contract if they refuse and take you to court about it even though it nevergoes that far they are obliged by law to except your payments as you have agreed to pay of the debt if they still refuse the judge will throw it out of court and declair the debt cancelled which means then they cant touch you

They have offered to let me pay in the installments, but it's still £100 over 2 months. I'm on benefits and £50 a month is a lot to find.

B**x, I was hoping that as the mistake was theirs, and as 2 years had passed I wouldn't be liable.

Did they taken the next two payments,after their snotty letters?

I would write them a letter telling them that your financial situation is very poor at the moment, but you really want the debt settled, so you think you could probably afford 10 pounds a month to pay off the debt.
It might work (It did for us recently!)

debts do get written off but only after 7 or 8 years. I would try and negotiate a settlement with them. It sucks though doesn't it- their mistake and all that.

if they give you any problems go to your citizens advice beauro as they will get you the lowest payment pm possible - I used to be a credit controller and sometimes we had to accept 1p per month after all their debt was worked out

1p a month? Wow! I hate having debts hanging over me though. I might try and see if I can pay over 4 or 5 months or something, that would be better.

Carla, they did take the payments after each letter, but not the next 2. I am soooo angry and frustrated about the whole thing, having to pay now for something I don't even have anymore. But I guess I'm going to have to, thanks for the advice I will give them a ring and see what I can negotiate.