topic Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply? in Rebuilding Your Credit

GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 19:43:55 GMT

Hello everyone, and Happy Thanksgiving! This is my first post. I must say that I've really been enjoying reading everyone's posts and have been learning so much. I'm working towards building great credit. I know it's a process, but I'm willing to put the time and work in. Speaking of which, I read the posts 2 days ago about GW letters and decided to send a few to my CC companies yesterday. I was just wondering if anyone else who has sent GW letters knew about how long it takes to get a reply. I'm sure it varies by individual company - so here are the ones I sent. The companies I sent them to are: Wells Fargo Credit Services, Bally's Fitness, and Ford Credit. Thanks so much!

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:01:53 GMT

There really is no rhyme or reason if they will or will not respond.

IME I would adjust time for them to receive the mail (which I always sent certified return receipt requested so I knew it was received), then I would give them about a week to open and read it and adjust my time to receive a mailing back from them with a response about 3 weeks approximately. If I did not get a response I would repeat the process hoping and anticipating some-one will work with me. After about my 3rd attempt I would look for other avenues such as finding a Manager, Director, Vice President, CEO, or some-one with a little authority and address everything to them personally.

Remember there are no guarantee's but persistence and patience usually pays off.

Good Luck

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Wed, 24 Nov 2010 20:51:30 GMT

Thanks for the advice and encouragement. I plan to be persistent. I look forward to following up wih a positive report!

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:06:17 GMT

I tried with HSBC and Cap1 and both had prompt denials at my door with a swiftness. Sent on the 12th, reply letter written on the 16th and gotten by me on the 22nd

Will continue to try till they can't stand it. Would they send me a cease and desist?

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:11:10 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
I tried with HSBC and Cap1 and both had prompt denials at my door with a swiftness. Sent on the 12th, reply letter written on the 16th and gotten by me on the 22nd

Will continue to try till they can't stand it. Would they send me a cease and desist?

There have been a few success stories with Cap One and HSBC. Take a few minutes and do a search on the boards and possibly get some information that may help with those creditors/lenders. Possibly PM those with success and hopefully they can offer some advice and or information.

Keep trying

Good Luck

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

CapeCodder — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 02:21:47 GMT

Hello Miss Excellent!

I'm new here too and sent my first GW letter out two weeks ago and I just got a letter today granting the request. It does work! I've never done a link but will try to link to that thread.

http://ficoforums.myfico.com/t5/Rebuilding-Your-Credit/Mailed-off-first-GW-letter/td-p/775362

Keep plugging along and don't get discouraged! Read the success stories here at myfico to keep you inspired. Also, send another letter if the first one didn't work. I read somewhere here on myfico that you should not send GW letters out CMRRR so I didn't. It stinks to not have confirmation that they received it but you can send out about 15 GW letters by regular mail before it equals the price of one sent CMRRR. So, if you have a lot of GW's to send out, try regular mail first, then CMRRR if you don't hear anything after a month or so.

Keep up the fight and, with persistence, you will succeed!!!

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:00:10 GMT

Hey CapeCodder,

What does CMRRR mean? Certified mail or something? Big congrats on getting a favorable response from your letters. I mailed 3 of mine two days ago and am looking forward to what happens. I will be persistent too. BTW, your the link to your thread worked. I was able to read it. Good stuff. Thanks again. Also, I'm a huge Suze Orman fan and just bought her new book, Women and Money at Books-A-Million today. I LOOOVVVEE the info. on myfico.com and this book is a great tool that can go with it.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

RobertEG — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:30:50 GMT

CMRRR means certified mail, return receipt requested. It provides evidence of their actual signing for receopt of what you sent to them.

Certain communications you make with a CRA, OC, or debt collector, set legal dates that you might want proof of.

The most common communication that you use CMRRR for is the mailing of a DV letter, simply because you only have 30-days to send a DV letter that requires cessation of their collection activity, running from the date of their collection/dunning notice. The second type of communication you might want to send CMRRR is a dispute. Whether it is a dispute filed through the CRA, or a direct fispute filed with the OC or CA, the date of their receipt of your disptue triggers their 30-day period to complete their investigation.

As for GW and PFD letters, neither have any specific dates for your sending, or date for their response. Thus, documentation of their date of recepit has no legal significance, so sending CMRRR is probably an unnecessary expense.

As for how long to expect a reply to a GW (or a PFD) letter, the creditor could just, upon opening the letter, chuck it in the trash can, with no response.

A letter in the trash can gets no response.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

MarineVietVet — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 04:57:25 GMT

@RobertEG wrote:
CMRRR means certified mail, return receipt requested. It provides evidence of their actual signing for receopt of what you sent to them.
Certain communications you make with a CRA, OC, or debt collector, set legal dates that you might want proof of.
The most common communication that you use CMRRR for is the mailing of a DV letter, simply because you only have 30-days to send a DV letter that requires cessation of their collection activity, running from the date of their collection/dunning notice. The second type of communication you might want to send CMRRR is a dispute. Whether it is a dispute filed through the CRA, or a direct fispute filed with the OC or CA, the date of their receipt of your disptue triggers their 30-day period to complete their investigation.
As for GW and PFD letters, neither have any specific dates for your sending, or date for their response. Thus, documentation of their date of recepit has no legal significance, so sending CMRRR is probably an unnecessary expense.

As for how long to expect a reply to a GW (or a PFD) letter, the creditor could just, upon opening the letter, chuck it in the trash can, with no response.
A letter in the trash can gets no response.

If you live in Texas there is no 30 day limit to send a DV and the CA must respond within 30 days.

In all other states legally a CA does not have to respond to a DV letter they receive after 30 days but there are cases where it still works past that time period and it is worth trying. All the CA can do is ignore it.

From a BK years ago to:
EX - 9/09 pulled by lender 802, EQ - 10/10-813, TU - 10/10-774

"Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they've made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem".

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:52:26 GMT

Hey Robert -

Thanks for the explanation of what all the terms mean. I think there's a link to all the abbreviations everyone use's here, so since I'm new here, could I make a suggestion? Why not consider posting a little box that appears on the home page of the Community that gives a legend to the most common abbreviations. It would really help newbies understand more of what's being said. Just a suggestion.

Also, I'm a persistent kind of girl, so if I even suspect that a letter got chucked in the trash, I won't hesistate to send another, and another, and another. In business school I learned that most times, it's the squeaky wheel that gets the grease.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Eat good!!! You can workout later. Big Smile.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

MarineVietVet — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 17:34:15 GMT

Here is a list of Abbreviations.

And there is a link to those abbreviations under User Guidelines and General Information.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 21:46:37 GMT

Great! Thank you. I will print this out and keep it nearby for handy reference. Look forward to following up with a post as to how my GW letters turned out. Stay cool.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

ficonightmare — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 22:06:14 GMT

Hi MissExcellent Credit-

It took GEMB about three week to reply and delete the TL from all the CRA's.

Good luck

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:37:08 GMT

What is GEMB? Forgive my lack of knowing. I'm new here. BTW, went black Friday shopping this morning. I felt sooooooooo empowered! This website and the posts from all you guys helped me not to overspend and not run up my credit cards. It was such a wonderful feeling walking out of the stores with a great deal and extra cash in my purse. Nearly everyplace I went gave me something back for spending too. Like with Target, I spent $122 in Christmas gifts and ended up getting a $25 gift card with no expiration date just because I had taken the time to do a little research and clip some coupons. The whole time I'm shopping, I'm thinking...a better FICO, a better FICO, a better FICO. That kept me focused. Thanks everyone. You guys rock.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

llecs — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:40:41 GMT

@Anonymous wrote:
What is GEMB?

GEMB = GE Money Bank. They underwrite several store-based CCs like JCPennys.

Re: GW Letters - How Long for a Reply?

Anonymous — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 15:58:13 GMT

Thanks

OMG! I'm so excited! After just 7 days, my FICO went up 6 points!!!

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:03:25 GMT

What's up everybody!

You know how I said I was new here and am in the process of rebuilding my credit? Well, I want you to know - IT'S WORKING! Can you imagine how excited I was when I got an email from SW saying I had a new inquiry and also that my FICO has increased. That made my day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Anywhooo, I just want everybody out there who's struggling to rebuild their credit to be encouraged. Changes really do happen. I've steadily been paying down my debt and the inquiry was for a new store card. I'm guess I'm just suprised by how quickly it happened! That gives me so much encouragement to keep doing the right thing. Thanks myfico!

Re: OMG! I'm so excited! After just 7 days, my FICO went up 6 points!!!

llecs — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 15:07:32 GMT

Congrats! That was fast!

I do recommend pulling your credit reports from somewhere to track those changes.

Re: OMG! I'm so excited! After just 7 days, my FICO went up 6 points!!!

Anonymous — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 17:45:38 GMT

Congrats Keep up the great work.