topic Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound in General Credit Topics

Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:47:27 GMT

**see page 2- I need an answer to the question thanks!!!!***

My husband and I currently owe 1540 to a company. The company is not reporting to a CA but I am afraid they will be soon. We recently moved so I haven't received anything from them until now. (I received two invoices today from November and December) Anyways, here is the letter I am sending to them in hopes they will be cooperative in payments. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks a lot.
((new message))

Alisha
XXXXX St
XXXX, SC

Company
XXXXX Rd
XXXXX, SC

To whom it may concern,

I have recently received a bill from your company for a total of $1540. This is the first notice I have received in the mail. I believe it is partially due to the original address being incorrect and the statements were not being forwarded to my new address until now. Please change your records to reflect the updated address listed above.
Unfortunately, due to a complication in my current pregnancy, I have been unable to work. I plan on returning to work at the beginning of April. As soon as I return to work, I will begin to pay the balance at a reasonable rate.
Please accept this payment of $50.00 toward the balance of the account. It is all I am able to pay at this time. I hope we are able to work out an agreement until I am able to return to work. Any and all cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you,

Alisha

((old message))
To Whom it May Concern,

I have recently received a bill from your company for a total of $1540. This is the first notice I have received. I believe it is partially due to the original address being wrong and the post office not forwarding the invoices to our new address.
Due to a recent complication in my pregnancy, I am unable to work at this time. I plan on returning to work in April of 2008. If possible, I will try to pay any amount I can before then.
Please except this payment of $50.00, as it all I am able to pay at this time. I do plan on paying the complete balance of the account by mid-May of 2008. I appreciate any and all cooperation in this matter.

Thank you,
Alisha

(** I'm really not sure if I like the way it sounds) any input would be awesome.

Message Edited by AlishaR on 12-27-2007 03:22 PM

Message Edited by AlishaR on 12-27-2007 03:24 PM

Message Edited by AlishaR on 12-31-2007 07:56 AM

Message Edited by AlishaR on 01-02-2008 01:47 PM

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Thu, 27 Dec 2007 23:32:50 GMT

AlishaR wrote:
My husband and I currently owe 1540 to a company. The company is not reporting to a CA but I am afraid they will be soon. We recently moved so I haven't received anything from them until now. (I received two invoices today from November and December) Anyways, here is the letter I am sending to them in hopes they will be cooperative in payments. Let me know what you guys think. Thanks a lot.

To Whom it May Concern,

I have recently received a bill from your company for a total of $1540. This is the first notice I have received. I believe it is partially due to the original address being wrong and the post office not forwarding the invoices to our new address.
Due to a recent complication in my pregnancy, I am unable to work at this time. I plan on returning to work in April of 2008. If possible, I will try to pay any amount I can before then.
Please except this payment of $50.00, as it all I am able to pay at this time. I do plan on paying the complete balance of the account by mid-May of 2008. I appreciate any and all cooperation in this matter.

Thank you,
Alisha

(** I'm really not sure if I like the way it sounds) any input would be awesome.

Message Edited by AlishaR on 12-27-2007 03:22 PM

Message Edited by AlishaR on 12-27-2007 03:24 PM

Do not back yourself into a corner!! By telling them that you will PIF in May. It would be better if you make small payments every month until then and then PIF when you can.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Red1Blue — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:01:51 GMT

I agree. Ask them to setup a payment plan. Most of the companies work with you, if you are upfront and honest with them. Then start paying. Even if you could not pay a month or two to the agreed payments, call them and let them know so they can help you. If you ask they are always willing to listen and help. At least some of them. Another option is send them a settlement proposal for 50% or some thing and see if they would accept it. Assuming you can come up with that much money in lumpsum. What ever it is talk to the creditor and they would be willing to work with you.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:24:18 GMT

Do you think it would be best best to call and talk to them or write a letter. I was thinking the letter would be better that way I can make a copy of it just in case. I'm going to revise the letter tonight and post the new edition tomorrow morning. Thank you for your advise and you guys are right about backing myself up into a corner.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Fri, 28 Dec 2007 00:50:30 GMT

There is no reason not to call & see what payments they will accept. Most companies will send you a letter with all details. You MUST have any agreement in writing!!

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:56:51 GMT

Letter updated.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

SmartCookie — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:06:22 GMT

I would not send a letter acknowledging or binding you to anything... and resetting the DOLA. What type of company is this... do you agree that the charges are valid?

I agree you really should call first and see what can be done. Maybe they will settle it all for $500, maybe they will agree to $25 a month etc. You also want to make sure they are not charging you interest... if so, you have to see if they will waive or reduce it.

I think it is very responsible of you to want to take care of this debt. Unfortunately we can still get ourselves into trouble when trying to do the right thing.

If you choose to call first, just see what they can do. Honestly I would not update my address with them until I was ready to come to an agreement on the terms in writing.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 23:21:46 GMT

I don't remember asking you before.......What is the debt for...when? what is your SOL?

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 00:48:39 GMT

The Debt...

Okay the debt is for the Hyatt Regency Hotel where we were going to rent out a ballroom for a wedding reception. (we were all ready married but decided to throw a small party/reception/shower all in one since we eloped the previous year) about 2 months before the reception date we found out that we were pregnant so I contacted them to see if we could post-pone the reception until 2008 after the baby. They told me that we couldn't go past 2007 and we discussed changing it to a baby shower. After it was all said and done, the shower was gonna cost close to 8K. (Sorry but I would rather spend 8K on something else lol) So, I sort of just let it go. That was in August.

Then I had the complication in my pregnancy and I've been put on bedrest for the remainder (I'm due in feb) Now, they are sending me bills for a cancellation fee. I really want to pay it just to keep it off my cr and out of the court system. The cancellation fee was in the contract so the debt is totally vialed and is within the past year so SOL isn't an issue. According to the billing invoices, I'm 30 days delinquent.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

SmartCookie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:19:38 GMT

Congrats on the lil one! I would appeal to upper management and see if they would consider a waiver of the contract in good will. I would have my doctor write a letter explaining that you are having medical complications and are on complete bedrest etc.

Starting at this point might help them come to a more favorable arrangement with you... if they don't decide to release you from it. I wouldn't count on it getting scrapped... but there is enough of a chance to make the attempt.. especially with such a major company that makes its money off of its good name and customer service.

What does your contract or rider say about medical emergencies?

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

SmartCookie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:24:22 GMT

Actually I'd write to planet feedback and contact someone big in Hyatt customer service thru them and see... or leave that as an option if someone lower in their ranks cannot help.

Worth a shot... more money for the baby if they will do this.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:54:22 GMT

Copied from my agreement...

CANCELLATION POLICY
Either the Hotel or Group may cancel this contract without cause at any time prior to the event by paying to the other party liquidated damages (agreed not to constitute a penalty) based on the following scale:

More than six(6) months from arrival date $1,360.00
Less than six(6) months to one(1) month from arrival date $2,040.00
Less than one(1) month up to arrival date $2,550.00

Cancellations made under this provision shall be made by the canceling party to the non-canceling party by written notice and payment of the liquidated damages due at that time.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 01:56:32 GMT

*****Now that I look at the contract, I was never notified by writing that it was canceled and I didn't write a letter to them- wonder if that would help me get rid of the debt- sort of a "technical" mistake of some sort? I would love to get rid of the debt completely.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

SmartCookie — Tue, 01 Jan 2008 02:32:25 GMT

Also if you did not sign an agreement with them, the contract means nothing.

As for the lack of written cancellation... I'd have to look at the whole contract. You writing to them might preserve some rights as opposed to you not writing and being liable for the full amount of the rental. On the other end... you say it was them that did not write to cancel. It was them who cancelled? How did they notify you and what was the general conversation?

I think the best angle for the letter is to appeal to someone specific there on a human basis... perhaps the event manager. I would hope that someone there would read your letter and see the situation and release you from any actual obligation due to your circumstances. And as I said I would definitely have a well written letter from my doctor to support this to them.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 16:07:19 GMT

Okay I called today and the number that is on the invoice is an extention to a "Ginny" When I called I was connected to a voice mail to a Christina? I left a message anyways just to see if anyone will call me back. If no one calls me back by tomorrow, I'm going to try to talk to corporate. It would be a great late-xmas present if it's deleted all together

Message Edited by AlishaR on 01-02-2008 08:07 AM

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:43:52 GMT

QUESTION:

I found the address to the corporate office. Should I send the letter to them addressed to the CEO Mark S. Hoplamazian? Or would I be better off sending it to the address I have for sending in my payment-that one is a po box? do you think I will have a better chance sending it to the top first or just starting off at the bottom?

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

SmartCookie — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:49:02 GMT

AlishaR wrote:
QUESTION:

I found the address to the corporate office. Should I send the letter to them addressed to the CEO Mark S. Hoplamazian? Or would I be better off sending it to the address I have for sending in my payment-that one is a po box? do you think I will have a better chance sending it to the top first or just starting off at the bottom?

Start at the bottom and work your way up so that you still have options. Keep a log of who you spoke with, date and time, and what was said. Whenever you do speak with someone, try to get the name of their manager jotted down for future reference. I would not ask to be transferred to a manager if you are trying to see how far you can get over the phone though because you want to tread lightly and nicely with them and appeal to their GW. If I were you, if you aren't going to write first... I would definitely offer to send them supporting documentation to show this was a medical emergency.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

Anonymous — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 21:58:02 GMT

I found my discharge notice from the hospital and it states "complete pelvic rest" I was going to go make a few copies (and cover up what is not needed info) and send it with the letter. I'm going to try to call again tomorrow morning and monday and if still no reply/call back, I will begin sending the letters next week. I feel safer sending in the letters that way I have proof of what is stated by both myself and the company.

Re: Sending in a payment letter.. How does this sound

SmartCookie — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 22:03:51 GMT

AlishaR wrote:
I found my discharge notice from the hospital and it states "complete pelvic rest" I was going to go make a few copies (and cover up what is not needed info) and send it with the letter. I'm going to try to call again tomorrow morning and monday and if still no reply/call back, I will begin sending the letters next week. I feel safer sending in the letters that way I have proof of what is stated by both myself and the company.

I wouldn't send actual medical records. Try and get a letter from your OB to Hyatt's attention explaining that the pregnancy was threatened and you were ordered to bed rest during this timeframe to prevent further complications etc.

Letter is better I agree.