How to negotiate your rate yourself with creditors

[Anonymous]

Ok...I have called all creditors to negotiate rates.  B ofA most recently referred me to cr. couseling and I declined. They have me at 32% interest after I sent them a letter explaining my current situation with my husband's cancer bills.  How does this help me pay off or make minimums when I was asking for help and acknowledging my debt to them.  It blows me away that they won't help someone in my situation when there are people out there that just went shopping and charged up cards and don't ever make a phone call.  At least I was trying. How do I get through to them?

[John060675]

It depends how much hardball you want to play.  Businesses hate bad publicity.  It might be worth your while to go to the local television station or newspaper office and explain the situation.  I think they would very much cover your fight with BofA.  I have seen a lot of these types of reports on TV, and the pressure always seems to get to the businesses and they give more options or make special exceptions.

I would not usually recommend this, but your situation is different.  You are making an effort, and they are just basically acting without any compassion.  Very upsetting to me.

[Anonymous]

I've heard that Planet Feedback is a pretty effective way of pursuading places to work with you.