Just wondering if this happened to anyone else, and if so, how they dealt with it (hopefully successfully).
Had an AMEX Gold card, ran it up to about $1,800 before I suddenly fell on hard times. Couldn't make the payment, so I got turned into collections. Account ended up with United Recovery Systems, who were actually great to deal with. They promised me entry into the Oasis Program if I paid in full, and got me on a payment plan. Got a new job and started making payments. Eventually paid my debt down to $400 before I fell on hard times AGAIN and missed my last couple payments.
AMEX then turned me into a different collection company, Nationwide Credit, Inc. They were NOT great to deal with. Most didn't speak English and were hard to understand. They too promised the Oasis program if I paid off the account in full. I eventually did, including all late fees. I was told to expect the new card in 30 days.
That was 7 months ago, and I've been calling them every few weeks since (AMEX won't deal with me, telling me to take it up with Nationwide). Often the people at Nationwide would just hang up on me. Finally, someone today told me that they couldn't give me the card because my balance with their office was below $500. First of all, my original balance was $1,800. Only the balance BY THE TIME IT GOT TO THEIR OFFICE was below $500. Secondly, and perhaps more importantly, nobody there told me about that condition of Oasis when they continually promised/guaranteed my enrollment into the program.
Nationwide says there's nothing they can do, American Express won't speak to me, and I'm at a loss for what to do. I lost my promised chance to rebuild my relationship with AMEX, and the tradeline on my credit report is showing it as a "charge off." I honestly don't know what to do here. I just want that second chance I was promised.
Has this happened to anyone else (a collection agency reneging on a promise)? Does anyone have any advice?
Thanks in advance for the help everyone!