Basic Finance Care Finance tips
You’ve stopped answering your phone. You’ve cut it off even. You just can’t take the creditors telling you that you owe them more money. What will you do? How do you even start discussing debt settlement negotiations if someone harassing and nagging you time and over again?!
Well, there is a way to handle such negotiations. While most people are unaware of how to negotiate with creditors and deal with those harassing calls, let me tell you that it is quite easy to handle that. And if politeness doesn’t work, you can also take legal steps to deal with the same (legal actions are discussed in this blog).
Now it’s time to take control of the situation and get those creditors’ off your back.
Any money is good for them
Creditors know that you can’t pay your bills. They wouldn’t be calling if you paid your bills. So, when they call, talk to them about how bad your situation really is, and then ask if you can send in a certain amount.
The amount you tell them might not make them happy, but they will enter into the computer that you said you would be sending in some money, which makes them stop calling for at least the rest of the month. Just be sure to send the amount you promise them.
Be polite, no matter how rude they are
While creditors aren’t supposed to be mean to you on the phone, some of them can’t help it. They hate to call number after number being hung up on or shouted at for eight hours a day. You don’t have to give them sympathies, but do remember that their job is difficult, and all they are doing is trying to get the company they work for the money they deserve.
Speak to the creditors clearly and politely. It will take you a long way in easy and quick debt settlement negotiations. Tell them that you know that you are behind on bills and that you really wish you were in a different financial position. Ask the person if there is any way that he or she can help you. People naturally want to help, so this invites them to do exactly what they want to do.
If the creditor is extremely rude to you, don’t be shy to ask for respect. Explain that you know his or her job is difficult, but you will not tolerate being treated so poorly.
Ask for a supervisor for assistance
If you can’t get the creditor on the other line to help you at all, ask to speak to a supervisor. Often times, the person with the most power in the office can give you the power of control over your debt settlement negotiations.
Ask the supervisor how you can get a payment plan that works for you. You may even mention that if you were able to reduce your debt by as much as 10 percent, you may be able to pay on it much more easily. The supervisor may just surprise you with a debt settlement that will get those creditors to stop calling.
The more you avoid, the more they’ll call you
You may not want to deal with creditors, but dealing with them is the only way to get them to stop calling you. They want to talk to you, and they will not stop before they do. So, just pick up the phone and face it. You’ll find that it’s not as bad as you think it will be, and you may just end up feeling as though you’re gaining control of your finances
How to negotiate with creditors from a legal aspect:
If you are unable to work out a debt settlement negotiation deal with your creditor and he/she continues to nag you for payments, it’s time to take them legally. There are ways you can turn to legal divisions for assistance-
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- Write a formal letter requesting the collector to stop contacting you. According to the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), debt collection agencies and attorneys have no choice but to stop contacting you after you write out a formal request letter to the board.
- Make sure to include any illegal/inappropriate actions and comments in this letter by your collector.
- If the situation is too bad to handle, you can hire a lawyer who can raise legal issues and claims against the collector. The lawyer will act from your side and communicate on your behalf with the collector, as per the FDCPA.
- Refer to FDCPA guidelines to understand what’s allowed and what’s not accepted in this entire debt settlement negotiation process, either by your collector or you. There are definitely do’s and don’ts, which you must be aware of.
Conclusion:
To close your debt settlement negotiations in a polite way, always remember to address all issues with your collector before the harassment level goes out of hand. If you’re unable to pay, consider how to negotiate with your creditor and how you can address the issue in a better and clear manner. But ensure that you are not taken for granted by creditors due to your polite behavior.
