It will take awhile to save up a few thousand so that's out for now. I'm kinda stuck on this hamster wheel situation, I need my car to work, my car is old and may not make it too much longer..lose car = lose job = no good lol.

My plan on getting a credit card was to rebuild my credit by using it only for small purchases that would be paid off immediately. This was my plan the first time around when I had a credit card but a whole series of unfortunate events lead to us living off of it for a brief and expensive time. I've learned that lesson and will chop it up if I'm ever in that spot again.

It seems when it comes to credit there is no making sense of it. I know several people who are in debt up to their eyeballs and constantly make late payments yet keep getting larger credit amounts offered to them. I got turned down for a used car 2 months ago when I only had 1 R9 on my report yet 3 R1's, I'm working full time, so is my husband, we rent really cheaply too (this apt is a dive to save cash) but we keep getting shafted it seems. Eh its aggrivating

It might be awhile before you get a card without a security deposit. If I were you; I would get a secured major credit card with one of the five major banks, because they like to give back your deposit within two years if you are in good standing. Another method is; if you can afford it is to take a few thousand, you can get yourself a secured personal loan.

I just wanted to thank you both for your advise and help. I was able to strike a deal with the collection company, tho they asked for $22.77 more then I offered, I got the faxed agreement before making payment and should have a letter of release this week.

Now that I have cleared off the only debt negatively affecting my credit how long should I wait to apply for a credit card? I'm submitting the letter of release to both Tansunion an Equifaxbut I don't know what happens after that and I'm in need of a credit card so I don't want to apply until I'm sure I'll be accepted.

Thanks for the advice everyone. CBV is telling me they can accept 60% at the lowest which ends up being about $1800 something odd. However I'm sticking to my guns on the $1,500 cause she told me when I spoke with her that my account was not listed as an R9. Got my credit report yesterday from TransUnion and that account is listed as an R9 (the only one on my file I might add)

In that same credit file I found out the other collections TCH/Alliance One did a credit check on my account in April but they didn't have my authorization. Are they allowed to do this??? It's in the part of my file that shows a credit check that affects my credit score.

It's CBV Collections. The name doesn't really matter, they're all dirtbags who just want your money.

If their settlement amount is higher than the $1500 tell them you want a below parameter one. They probably have a deal where they can accept 70-80% without asking citi, but if they really believe all they will get is $1500 and that it's pointless to keep hounding for more, they can go to citi with a form outlining why citi should accept below the parameter settlement amount that they can automatically settle at.

The $1500.00 is a good offer and state to them you can have the money in their office by this Friday. If they start giving you some story, tell them take it or leave it in a nice way. If they accept; make sure you get the settlement in writing and faxed before you hand over your money.

I called Citi MasterCard Canada today and found out my account has been transferred to someone new, CEV collections. They just took my account on Aug 18 so I've contacted them before they had to contact me, which looks good. I offered them $1,500 to close the account which they said wasn't enough. So far tho they seem better then TCH since they are discussing the situation. They did tell me the account is now $3,388. Big jump from the $2,800 it was when it left Citi which shows how much interest was applied while with TCH.

I did try asking how much they bought my account/file for and was told they don't do that. The girl said they just try to collect on the money for Citi yet Citi has told me its out of their hands and belongs to the collections.

Anyway they are trying to tell me the min they will accept is $2,040 but I have $1,500 I'm willing to give them to close it any more then that and I will have to be given more time. The girl also denied my credit was bad but I have a recent attempt at car financing to prove her wrong.

Anyone have any experience with CEV? Or any tips they can suggest? Am I being naieve offering $1,500? It's been suggested to me that I could offer less but I don't know if I'm getting the run around again or what.

Would love some advice.

As I understand it, they cannot refuse your money.

It sounds as if the damage has been done in regards to your credit rating.

Hi I’m new here. I just joined to try and get some help with a debt and collection company that is causing me immense pain!

I have an outstanding debt with Citi MasterCard Canada that has been purchased by the collection company TCH I hear they are known as AllianceOne Ltd as well but they identified themselves as TCH. Since this company has had my file they have sent me ONE letter in French, which I have trouble understanding (I live in Quebec but am English) but contacted the agent anyway. The gentleman only spoke French so I asked to be assigned an English speaking agent.

Three months after the initial request they assign an agent. I spoke with him once. In the conversation I offered to pay my debt by making biweekly payments of a minimum of $100. The debt last at about $2,800 at that time. He refused and told me unless I paid a lump sum of $700 he was not able to make any arrangements. I asked for their payment information and it was not given to me.

I called back and tried to speak with the manager of the Citi MasterCard accounts, he was not working that day so I left a message on his voicemail. No call was ever returned. I have called TCH many times only to get no answer, a voicemail box that is full, or to leave a message and it is not returned.

I have recently found out that this company has affected my credit to the point that it is almost considered a bankruptcy. I have faxed a letter to the company (and sent copies to TransUnion and Equifax to attach to my file) with my proposal and request for account information to make payment. It has gone unanswered. I have also requested that they correct the credit rating as it looks like I have tried to avoid this debt when in fact I have been trying very hard to get it paid off.

I have been able to save enough to make a lump sum offer to TCH to close the file but the problem is that I can’t get a hold of anyone. Their work hours coincide with mine and when I leave messages no one ever calls me back. Most times collection companies are known for harassing peple, in my case they are ignoring me and hurting my credit really badly. As far as I know they are the only debt I have in collections.

Anyway I’m at a point where I don’t know what to do but I’m getting so mad that my lump sum offer is getting smaller and smaller in my eyes. I have sent letters to several consumer protection groups (provincial and federal), the BBB and an organization of collections companies. So far I haven’t heard from anyone but just sent the letters last Thursday.

So anyone have any suggestions for what I can do here?? I should add in all my letters I make clear that before any payment is made they must send me a letter agreeing to the terms.