Credit Woes - How to Handle?
Jun 3, 2011 | 7:19 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: GDL
Programs: DL-Plat, Plat Ambassador, Hilton Gold, SPG Gold
Posts: 935
Credit Woes - How to Handle?
I am sure I am not the only one has ever had this type of problem and I fear it could really effect my ability to apply for CC's if I handle it wrong.
I purchased a phone from T-Mobile and signed a 2 yr contract with the understanding that I had 30 days to return it and void the contract. I received the phone and took it home and had terrible service, dropped calls etc etc. Next day I called T-Mobile, got returned authorization #, took the phone to UPS and sent it back. Checked tracking # and 4 days later the phone was signed for by T-Mobile. End of story?? Nope.
About 7 weeks later I get a voice mail from T-mobile saying that they were going to cut off my phone if I did not pay my bill.
I call them back and tell them they can't cut off my service as I don't have service with them. I returned the phone almost 2 months ago. They claim that they never received it. I hang up and find the tracking number and find who signed for the phone at T-Mobile and call back. This time they tell me that that is another department at T-Mobile and that they can't see their records. I get transferred around about 3 or 4 times and finally get someone to acknowledge that they did get the phone back. They say that I owe $26 for the 5 days I had the phone and would I like to pay by CC right then? I say no, I want something in writing that this is the final bill. They say they can't do that to go to a T-Mobile store. I do. They tell me at the T-Mobile store that they can't do that. (this was an actual corp. store) I call T-Mobile again. They tell me to wait for the final bill in the mail that they will not turn me over to a collection agency until I get a final bill. I get a phone call 2 days later from T-Mobile saying if I don't pay right then that they will indeed be turning me over, so I give them my AMEX and they charge me the $26 and say that I am paid in full. Ok, I think story over. Nope! Yesterday, I get a letter from T-Mobile saying I now owe $48 more and ALSO a letter from a collection agency for the $26 I already paid. I can't believe they are able to pull this crap 
I am at a loss as to what to do? Do I just pay? and who do I pay? If I pay, how do I keep it off my credit? I am sitting at 780 fico average currently and have a feeling that "NOT" paying would drop me to below 700 for a couple of years.... which would most likely kick me out of the getting any card I want area.
How would you handle this?
Wrong Forum? Please move it, thanks.
I purchased a phone from T-Mobile and signed a 2 yr contract with the understanding that I had 30 days to return it and void the contract. I received the phone and took it home and had terrible service, dropped calls etc etc. Next day I called T-Mobile, got returned authorization #, took the phone to UPS and sent it back. Checked tracking # and 4 days later the phone was signed for by T-Mobile. End of story?? Nope.
About 7 weeks later I get a voice mail from T-mobile saying that they were going to cut off my phone if I did not pay my bill.
I call them back and tell them they can't cut off my service as I don't have service with them. I returned the phone almost 2 months ago. They claim that they never received it. I hang up and find the tracking number and find who signed for the phone at T-Mobile and call back. This time they tell me that that is another department at T-Mobile and that they can't see their records. I get transferred around about 3 or 4 times and finally get someone to acknowledge that they did get the phone back. They say that I owe $26 for the 5 days I had the phone and would I like to pay by CC right then? I say no, I want something in writing that this is the final bill. They say they can't do that to go to a T-Mobile store. I do. They tell me at the T-Mobile store that they can't do that. (this was an actual corp. store) I call T-Mobile again. They tell me to wait for the final bill in the mail that they will not turn me over to a collection agency until I get a final bill. I get a phone call 2 days later from T-Mobile saying if I don't pay right then that they will indeed be turning me over, so I give them my AMEX and they charge me the $26 and say that I am paid in full. Ok, I think story over. Nope! Yesterday, I get a letter from T-Mobile saying I now owe $48 more and ALSO a letter from a collection agency for the $26 I already paid. I can't believe they are able to pull this crap I am at a loss as to what to do? Do I just pay? and who do I pay? If I pay, how do I keep it off my credit? I am sitting at 780 fico average currently and have a feeling that "NOT" paying would drop me to below 700 for a couple of years.... which would most likely kick me out of the getting any card I want area.
How would you handle this?
Wrong Forum? Please move it, thanks.
Jun 3, 2011 | 7:32 am
#2
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 29
creditboards.com
I'm sure someone on here will have some thoughts, but I know the kids over in the forums on creditboards.com have tons of info on dealing with collection agencies and protecting your credit. I know the collection agencies can be nasty and many will lie so I would definitely glance and post over there as well as here. Good luck!
http://www.creditboards.com/forums/
http://www.creditboards.com/forums/
Jun 3, 2011 | 7:45 am
#3
Join Date: Feb 2011
Posts: 67
I am sure I am not the only one has ever had this type of problem and I fear it could really effect my ability to apply for CC's if I handle it wrong.
I purchased a phone from T-Mobile and signed a 2 yr contract with the understanding that I had 30 days to return it and void the contract. I received the phone and took it home and had terrible service, dropped calls etc etc. Next day I called T-Mobile, got returned authorization #, took the phone to UPS and sent it back. Checked tracking # and 4 days later the phone was signed for by T-Mobile. End of story?? Nope.
About 7 weeks later I get a voice mail from T-mobile saying that they were going to cut off my phone if I did not pay my bill. I call them back and tell them they can't cut off my service as I don't have service with them. I returned the phone almost 2 months ago. They claim that they never received it. I hang up and find the tracking number and find who signed for the phone at T-Mobile and call back. This time they tell me that that is another department at T-Mobile and that they can't see their records. I get transferred around about 3 or 4 times and finally get someone to acknowledge that they did get the phone back. They say that I owe $26 for the 5 days I had the phone and would I like to pay by CC right then? I say no, I want something in writing that this is the final bill. They say they can't do that to go to a T-Mobile store. I do. They tell me at the T-Mobile store that they can't do that. (this was an actual corp. store) I call T-Mobile again. They tell me to wait for the final bill in the mail that they will not turn me over to a collection agency until I get a final bill. I get a phone call 2 days later from T-Mobile saying if I don't pay right then that they will indeed be turning me over, so I give them my AMEX and they charge me the $26 and say that I am paid in full. Ok, I think story over. Nope! Yesterday, I get a letter from T-Mobile saying I now owe $48 more and ALSO a letter from a collection agency for the $26 I already paid. I can't believe they are able to pull this crap
I am at a loss as to what to do? Do I just pay? and who do I pay? If I pay, how do I keep it off my credit? I am sitting at 780 fico average currently and have a feeling that "NOT" paying would drop me to below 700 for a couple of years.... which would most likely kick me out of the getting any card I want area.
How would you handle this?
Wrong Forum? Please move it, thanks.
I purchased a phone from T-Mobile and signed a 2 yr contract with the understanding that I had 30 days to return it and void the contract. I received the phone and took it home and had terrible service, dropped calls etc etc. Next day I called T-Mobile, got returned authorization #, took the phone to UPS and sent it back. Checked tracking # and 4 days later the phone was signed for by T-Mobile. End of story?? Nope.
About 7 weeks later I get a voice mail from T-mobile saying that they were going to cut off my phone if I did not pay my bill.
I call them back and tell them they can't cut off my service as I don't have service with them. I returned the phone almost 2 months ago. They claim that they never received it. I hang up and find the tracking number and find who signed for the phone at T-Mobile and call back. This time they tell me that that is another department at T-Mobile and that they can't see their records. I get transferred around about 3 or 4 times and finally get someone to acknowledge that they did get the phone back. They say that I owe $26 for the 5 days I had the phone and would I like to pay by CC right then? I say no, I want something in writing that this is the final bill. They say they can't do that to go to a T-Mobile store. I do. They tell me at the T-Mobile store that they can't do that. (this was an actual corp. store) I call T-Mobile again. They tell me to wait for the final bill in the mail that they will not turn me over to a collection agency until I get a final bill. I get a phone call 2 days later from T-Mobile saying if I don't pay right then that they will indeed be turning me over, so I give them my AMEX and they charge me the $26 and say that I am paid in full. Ok, I think story over. Nope! Yesterday, I get a letter from T-Mobile saying I now owe $48 more and ALSO a letter from a collection agency for the $26 I already paid. I can't believe they are able to pull this crap I am at a loss as to what to do? Do I just pay? and who do I pay? If I pay, how do I keep it off my credit? I am sitting at 780 fico average currently and have a feeling that "NOT" paying would drop me to below 700 for a couple of years.... which would most likely kick me out of the getting any card I want area.
How would you handle this?
Wrong Forum? Please move it, thanks.
second, pull a fresh credit report to make sure that this "debt" is not reflected;
third, write a concise letter detailing what transpired with tracking info, date of conversations with different folks, etc. then send it CERTIFIED, RETURN RECEIPT to T-Mobile CEO. Someone from his "executive liaison" will probably contact you to resolve the matter. if this "debt" is showing up in your credit report, politely demand that they erase it from your report
tell them that if this matter is not resolved by t-mobile within 7 business days from the receipt of the letter, that you will proceed with small claims court suit. since t-mobile is virtually present in all localities, I believe it should be fairly easy and inexpensive to serve the suit.
the letter should also be copied to FCC chairman as well as your state attorney general (who is in charge of the consumer affairs division). make sure t-mobile will know that FCC and AG are also being contacted.
remember, keep all communication in writing; if someone calls, get his or her name, contact info including an email address and follow up the conversation with a letter or email.
we had to go through the similar crap with bank of america due to their online system error.
good luck
Jun 3, 2011 | 7:46 am
#4
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Miami, FL, USA
Posts: 4,104
This has nothing to do with points, so I've closed it. Creditboards is a good suggestion.
Good luck to the OP.
Good luck to the OP.