Keep bugging them and goodluck

Got in touch with Rob again today, and the payments had been posted, so he agreed to fax the letter (I have efax, which goes to my e-mail account). It hasn't arrived yet. Is there a time frame in which in should arrive, before I call and remind him?

Well, I called the agency today (the woman that I have been trying to get a hold of was still not there, so I asked to be transferred to a supervisor -- thanks Jamie!) I spoke to a gentleman who said the payment should be posted by Weds (I paid on Friday) and to call back. He said he would then immediately fax the release letter to me. (TD confirmed that the payment would take until Weds to reach CCA's files)

Does this sound good? I couldn't help but wonder if he was too accommodating. He gave me his extension number to call him back.

When I had an issue with an outsourcing agency for my Canadian Tire Mastercard, I tried countless times to get a "Ms. Butt" on the line. I contacted the receptionist and refused to be transfered to "Ms. Butt's" extention as she wasn't there -- I demanded to speak with a live agent and I finally got one.

When you call in, don't give any info if possible, just request to speak with a supervisor and create urgency.

As far as the agency not sending release letters -- I don't know why they don't, but most people don't request them and by law they don't need to send them ---- so they don't.

Thanks for the replies :)

Jamie - I appreciate the advice. Faxing seems like the better option. Why wouldn't I get a release letter? Are they lazy or hesitant to give them out? The receptionist seems to be a bit of a b-tch and I can't seem to get her to transfer me to anyone but this one woman who is NEVER working.

ranzzz - Since I've already paid the debt, I'm not especially anxious to talk to TD about negotiating it, I just want to see the back of it, basically!! That's good to hear that they don't have their name on the envelope, but "Important Notice" is a little problematic. Have you had a bad experience with this agency?

LOL looks like TD loves this agency. Im currently dealing with this agency as well. On their envelop it doesn't have their names but only "Important Notice" and their return address.

I notice TD doesn't really want to talk many times. Here's the trick and it works. When you get a hold of them, tell them the following conversation is being taped. Then you start telling them the reason you're calling is to settle the debt. If they refer you back to the agency, ask them if they are still the original creditor. If the answer is yes, then you tell them you only want to negoiate with them. If they keep saying to talk to the agency, you go ahead and ask if they refuse to negoiate. Depending on their answers, you can also say you assume they aren't interested in the debt anymore. The trick is; try to lead them on to say something stupid as much as you can. Most of the time they'll back off and start talking the matter.

You don't need to deal with these collection agencies, contrary to what this jamiedude said. I notice dealing with the original creditors have far more surprises; ie. they tend to be more leninient in settling debts.

I highly doubt there is only one agent at Common that works TD. Get a supervisor on the line and say you need a rush release letter for a mortgage or something -- don't be afraid to lie about a release letter. Let me tell you, unless you put a lot of urgency on it, you won't get it. Don't ask for it to be mailed, find a fax machine and have it faxed.

And your credit bureau will be "amended" to state that your Visa has been "paid in full". It will still be reported as an R9 for the next 6 years, but it's a lot better to show it paid in full rather than unpaid. You can also use your release letter to speed the progress of updating your bureau as some creditors only update your bureau every 30/60/90 days, especially latter if it's already been written off.

Hi everyone,

This is my first post, and I really need some advice. Recently, I moved back to Canada after working for the Mouse in Orlando for the period of one year. I made almost nothing at the job, and unfortunately did not have enough money to pay down on a TD Visa I had before I left (I could barely afford food, unfortunately) While I was gone, it went into arrears and got sent to collections (the final amount was 620 dollars).

Since I've been back, I've been paying it off, and a few days ago, I paid the last few hundred. I contacted TD and they said to contact the agency so that I could get a 'paid in full' release letter and then be able to apply for a credit amendment. I called the agency (Common Collection Agency) and have yet to be able to get a hold of the woman who is handling the TD cases.

My questions are:

1. What do Common Collection Agencies envelopes say on the outside? I don't want my family knowing about this (I am living at home for the next 2 months, and this would throw a wrench into communal living!! ;) I'm hoping that they have an innocuous name for their mailings.

2. Would they mail the release letter to the UK if I asked? I am going there for a month to visit my boyfriend and it would be great if I could just deal with it from there. But I'm thinking that the extra expense wouldn't sit well with CCA.

3. What is a credit amendment?

Thank you SO much for any help anyone has.