If the Macy's account is closed. Either by your or by them and you still have that balance of $231 or whatever it was... yes, it's past due. The entire balance was due when the account was closed.
They are reporting that accurately. The best thing you can do is a GW and explain yourself (without emotion!), don't beg. Tell them you are a faithful loyal customer and you love their store, you shop there regularly when your finances allow it and you will continue to do great amounts of business with them. Mention a store clerk by name as though their exceptional Customer Service is a main reason for you shopping there. Kill them with kindness. Ask them to remove the derog info as a trade for a lump sum payment understanding that you will continue to shop and spend money in their stores. Make it sound damn attractive to them and don't make yourself look like everyone else. You have to be different and they have to like you. Do some research and send the letter to someone high up - not too high though. The CEO doesn't give a rip, but the VP of Customer Care definitely will, so will the guy that runs the Collections department - he doesn't get nice letters, he only gets nasty ones. Send it to as many people as you can in the organization. The first time you get a NO - don't stop there... keep spaming them.
 |