Debt Collectors

[Anonymous]

I'm a student and owe eBay 82.74 after loosing a case. I don't work so I don't have the money to pay. My parents are going through a tough time already and now my info is being given to a debt collector agency. What do I do?

[roger_roger_over_and_nowt]

When they get in touch it's wise not to ignore them if you do in fact owe the outstanding balance.

If you explain the situation you may be able to set up a payment plan even if you can only pay a small amount each month.

They would rather have something than nothing.

[plpmr]

you need to find [borrow] the money somehow as eBay won't drop it.

[rosestudios]

If it goes to a debt collector they will start adding more on to the debt for their costs. If it progresses to a County Court summons then it will probably double so best to try and come to an arrangement with either Ebay or through the debt collection agency.  At some point if you do nothing Ebay will close your account down and still chase you for the money you owe.

[sml192]

Initially eBay will employ a Debt Collection Agency to chase the debt on their behalf.  Whether, you will be able to pay by instalments at this stage is up to eBay and as far as I'm aware eBay will expect the debt to paid in full.

If you are unable to pay then eBay will close your account and sell the debt to a Debt Collection Agency.  At this stage the Debt Collection Agency is legally required to offer a monthly repayment plan.  The amount will be based on your financial circumstances and they cannot ask you to pay more than you can afford. 

[rosestudios]

'If you are unable to pay then eBay will close your account and sell the debt to a Debt Collection Agency.  At this stage the Debt Collection Agency is legally required to offer a monthly repayment plan.  The amount will be based on your financial circumstances and they cannot ask you to pay more than you can afford.'' 

But what they are entitled to do is to add their costs on to the account. This will include the commission cost that thay have paid to Ebay to take control of your debt.

[sml192]

A Debt Collection Agency can only add costs to a debt once they own it and any costs must be reasonable and in line with the terms and conditions of the original creditor.  

Most will not add any additional amount to the debt as they will have bought the debt for considerably less than its value, usually 10-20% of the original value, so their costs will already be covered provided the debt is repaid.  That is how they make a profit.

[sml192]

Apologies, my original response to you wasn't quite correct.   A Debt Collection Agency isn't legally required to offer a repayment plan once it owns the debt but most will consider one or even a reduced settlement.   However, it would be better to find a way of repaying the debt before it gets to this stage otherwise it could affect your credit score. 

[susapric-68]

First thing to do is make contact with the agency and see if you can come to an arrangment with them to repay. It will look good for you if they do take it to a county court as you have made an effort to clear the debt. If you're really stuck you can try Stepchange. They can offer you advice and even take the debt over so you pay them what you can afford and they will pay the debt collector and deal with them.

Don't ignore it

[tea_and_tortoises]

Somehow you have to find the money now or come to an arrangement to pay a little at a time, otherwise your debt will grow and you could find yourself unable to get things like a credit card, a loan or a mortgage when you are older.

Contact Citizens Advice as they have a lot of experience dealing with debt.  Get in touch with them as soon as you can.

It looks as if this all started in May.  You need to sort it out now before your or your parents find baliffs at the door.

[sml192]

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@tea_and_tortoises wrote:

Somehow you have to find the money now or come to an arrangement to pay a little at a time, otherwise your debt will grow and you could find yourself unable to get things like a credit card, a loan or a mortgage when you are older.

Contact Citizens Advice as they have a lot of experience dealing with debt.  Get in touch with them as soon as you can.

It looks as if this all started in May.  You need to sort it out now before your or your parents find baliffs at the door.

---

Some good advice there but bailiff action is extremely unlikely for a private debt of £80 and a CCJ would need to be obtained first. 

[btr.style]

To be honest telling you they've passed your details to a debt collection agency and doing it are 2 different things. 

If they are telling you then they may not have and it might just be a nudge to pay. If you ignore it, they may or may not actually pass it to a debt collector. If they don't (based on the small-ish amount), you will almost certainly be banned from eBay (it could affect anyone else's account in your household too) and you won't be allowed on eBay again. 

If you have had direct contact from a debt collection agency then yes, they've done as they said and follow the advice provided here. 

[Anonymous]

I just tried but apparently love chat is unavailable and it won't me me call too

[Anonymous]

I just tried but live chat is unavailable and I can't call

[61stephenuk]

Try now https://www.ebay.co.uk/help/eua?id=5275&mkevt=1&mkpid

Call back is 5 mins live chat 1 min

[sml192]

It may be best to try first thing in the morning so that you get someone from the Ireland team as they are more knowledgeable and have greater authority. 

[Anonymous]

If a dept collection agency pays you dept off the original company you own money too then your dept have been paid off! Your contract of sale is only valid with the original company you took out the agreement with, the dept collection agency does not have any valid contact of sale with you, your dept has been paid, they try and make you pay by bullying and threatening you with more dept or more prosecution ! That's why they made the program Don't pay we'll take it away! To make people frightened of alleged extra fees ! When the dept collection agency turns up ask them to see the contract of sale you have signed with them ! Oh dear they can't provide one.

[plpmr]

Any member replying to OP [Anonymous] is addressing a member who has been barred from the boards, possibly because they have lost their account.