Time Warner Cable Bill Collections?
by admin ~ October 5th, 2007 . Filed under: Credit .
Sherry D asked:
I pulled up my free annual credit report and noticed a collection agency listed for about $400. I called about it and it is for Time Warner Cable. When I moved out of my old apartment and cancelled service they told me to leave my DVR box with the leasing office and they would pick it up. Well apparently they didnt or did not give me credit for returning it and charged me over $400 for the equipment that I did not return.
I pulled up my free annual credit report and noticed a collection agency listed for about $400. I called about it and it is for Time Warner Cable. When I moved out of my old apartment and cancelled service they told me to leave my DVR box with the leasing office and they would pick it up. Well apparently they didnt or did not give me credit for returning it and charged me over $400 for the equipment that I did not return.
Does anyone have experience on this happening before? What are the chances of the credit agency negotiating a settlement for less than $400? Or am I stuck here?
Jamie Winebrenner
October 7th, 2007 at 8:11 am
I doubt Verizon will credit you the amount - they were within their rights to charge you as it was your responsibility to return the equipment and you did not. Your argument is with the leasing company - you can try to contact them to see if they would accept some or all of the charge, as you can claim they accepted responsibility for returning the box when they accepted it. It’s worth a shot, but it is a long shot.
October 8th, 2007 at 1:13 pm
I’ve had clients who’ve had this happen and it’s a total moot point to argue with the cable company.
The fact they will argue is that you didn’t personally turn in the equipment…when you first signed the contract with them, you were agreeing that it’s your responsibility to make sure they receive the box when you are finished - not the responsibility of the leasing office. (In the future, ALWAYS take the equipment in yourself and ask for a receipt as proof that it was returned….it’s the only way to protect yourself).
Any-who, you are pretty much stuck here as far as asking for the debt to be removed. That isn’t likely to happen. You can always try to settle for less than what you owe - from a collector’s standpoint, money is better than no money….just make sure you have the money in a lump sum when you try to negotiate for less than the $400. They’ll want the money w/in 7-10 days.
I hope that helps!