by chefmikey » Mon Apr 27, 2009 04:30:05 PM
Having recently been denied a mortgage due to two outstanding collection items on my bureau, I have set about to clean these old items off.
Both accounts are owned by Aktiv Kapital, so I contactcted them and asked to open a discussion about settling.
At first they tried to demand that I pay their interest (which thanks to this site I knew I didn't have to). I calmly kept saying that I was not willing to discuss any payment that included their interest. Finally moved past that and I offered them 10% of the original debt (total of $9600 combined) or $960 to settle and clear things up. She accused me of 'lowballing' my offer, so I said we were 'negotiating' and this was my first offer. She offered my $6900 to settle saying she couldn't drop any further, then began lambasting me about how it was 'people like me' that had brought on the collapse of the north american economy by irresponsibly borrowing and then defaulting on my debts.
I upped my offer to 20% or $1920 and she 'absolutely' could not accept that. She again began a tirade on y fiscal wrongdoings, then out of the blue offered me $4800 to settle. When I asked her how she could offer that amount after stating that she 'absolutely' couldn't go below $6900, she was stumped for a minute, then came back and said this was her final offer, take it or leave it.
I ended the call saying I'd have to talk with my wife. I called back and offered them $3000, paid over the next 2 months. They are saying they cannot accept that, the offer of $4800 stands.
Question - these items are due to drop off my bureau in Nov/2010, but I'd like to pursue a mortgage before then. Should I wait a few days and re-submit my offer to Aktiv, or should I go back to the original creditor and try and settle through them?