I mention in my post depending on your situation you can achieve the same goal. If your not working, on disability or any other reason why you have no source of income you can get the same offer if you wait them out.

I get that you have no agenda... and I get that you are genuinely trying to help. At times, though, you can be a little bit over enthusiastic... which can come across as "if you hold out, all debts can be settled for 10%". I know you aren't trying to be misleading, but encouraging.

Information on how to settle debts is good information to have. Just... a little less enthusiasm and a little more speaking of the range you settled at would present a more realistic picture to those who are desperate and reading your comments.

average_joe...
can you do some research on other sites.. (if that information is available) for what other people are settling debts for..
I'm swamped right now ... it would take me a few days to get these links

average_joe I am shedding light that debts can be settled for as low as 10% depending on your situation. Perhaps you should have a disclaimer that your situation is pretty dire in order to settle your debts at 10%... That's a tough admission.

Anyway... I think we've gotten the point ..

I am shedding light that debts can be settled for as low as 10% depending on your situation. There are people out there didn't know you could settle a debt till they came to this site. I have no agenda and the only thing I am trying to do is save some people some money.

While he could dial it down a notch, if you're going to be vigilant about the tone of the dissent, you should consider being equally vigilant about those pushing their own personal business agenda, or you run the risk of being the reason your readers make their next foolish decision.

as far as average_joe's 10% settlement.. I agree that this is not going to be the case in most cases. Debt settlement is a case by case sitaution.

Wouldn't it be nice if other people who have settled their debts could drop by and tell us about their experiences..

So far, we've only heard from average_joe... he's the only one reporting so far.

Please.. people who have settled their debts, tell us about your experience.
Tell us how much you've settled your debts for.

hmmm...
i guess you don't see the complaints that i see.
And... also... the people that stay away, and don't visit, because they don't want to get into Raymond's sites

Raymond is correct in what he says, however, his approach is pretty abrasive.

I appreciate your commentaries... it's not an easy decision.

Yes... credit and this topic is emotion filled , however, I think we can deal with it in a less argumentative way.

Well, it seems that this forum became a tool for adulations between some members (read a_joe, RichardC) and I don't see what is wrong with been argumentative, if what it is been argue give you some light and different options. Besides, despite that the tone of some of the posts maybe kind of tough, they point you to something in concrete and no to fantasyland (a_j) or to became a cliente in distress of some people offering their business here (RC). I'm agree with angella about this been a source of free info for people with debt problems and how to deal with those with dignity. We don't need, and actually don't care, to know about how well and how smart average_joe has been in settling his debts at 10% (he has mention many times how smart he is). This was a very good site 'till now. I guess i have to look somewhere else for real info.

Joe... you may have settled some debts for 10%... but your posts give people the idea they can settle all of them for 10%... and that's just not the case.

Your advice, although I do believe it to be well meaning, may get people into more trouble because they take it for an every time/all creditor possibility.

Honestly, Monty... bad decision.

You're leaving the site open to people with an agenda, Raymond is challenging those whose agenda is to make money off of people who don't have the knowledge to make an informed decision as to whether these debt settlers/collection agents/etc. are advising in the debtor's best interests.

Honestly, from what I've seen... they aren't. And you've just removed the dissenting voice.

I'd reconsider who I kept, if it were me, cause these people piss me off just as much. If you continue to allow those with agendas to drum up business of your otherwise uninformed debtors, I'm not sure how much longer I'll be here. There are other forums to reach those in need of advice.