Please Help with a Dealing with a Debt Collector

Lwhynottomorrow on 06/04/2021 - 15:16
Last edited 06/04/2021 - 16:11 by 1 other user

Hi everyone

Been using the site for a while but just signed up to ask a question.

I purchased an expensive item from a very large company. The item arrives and it's faulty. I contact them to organise a return and refund after just 14 days. I found out its faulty as soon as I opened. It's large and I had to make some space for it, still I had 30 days return coverage.

Anyways they told me they will arrange a pickup for me. There goes 2 weeks, later I get no follow up at all. Now I am 1 day away from 30 days protection. I call them and ask what's happening? They tell me their system is having some issues and they will arrange it soon, another 2 weeks gets past and I call again! They close the original return and they open a new one to fix the issue. Again NO ONE contacts me to arrange a return. I am very frustrated I tell a friend and he told me as I paid via PayPal I can ask PayPal for a return.

I contact PayPal, open a dispute and the company doesn't reply to the PayPal case. I escalated the case with PayPal and after 10 days they didn't reply. PayPal closed the case in my favour without returning the original item. Now PayPal and I consider this problem solved. I believe the company here has breached their terms with PayPal so PayPal had the right to fully refund.

Now after approx. 5 months they contacted me asked for payment I couldn't talk to them at that time and they never called again. For the past 3 weeks I've been getting notices of collection from a debt collector.

I have not made any replies yet and I am not willing to pay for any settlements. Please advise what should I reply to these debt collector ?

Financial

Comments

  • Quantumcat on 06/04/2021 - 15:18
    +2

    Tell them it has been settled by PayPal if forced to speak to them. But don't answer their calls if you can avoid it, block their number. They can't do anything, you don't owe them any money.

    • whynottomorrow on 06/04/2021 - 15:19

      they are threatening to give me a bad credit if i dont pay. thats what worries me most.

      • Quantumcat on 06/04/2021 - 15:26
        +16

        They can't, you didn't apply for credit with them. They're not a bank, you didn't take out a loan, and they're not utilities (eg mobile phone provider on contract or electricity account etc could affect your credit if you don't pay a bill).

        They're just trying to bully you.

      • buckethat on 06/04/2021 - 18:13
        +2

        Just ignore them. They can't do anything. Like Quantumcat said, you never applied for any credit with them.

        If you dont mind though, what sort of value are we talking about here? I'm guessing its a hefty some, that a company would resort to debt collectors?

  • holdenmg on 06/04/2021 - 15:21
    +5

    Welcome to OzB.

    Disputing a debt
    If you are contacted about a debt you do not owe, or disagree with the amount being claimed, you have a right to dispute it.
    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/dealing-with-debt-collecto…

  • dmbminaret on 06/04/2021 - 15:22
    +1

    Do they have your DOB from the purchase? If not, how are they ever going to default you?

    Ignore.

  • apsilon on 06/04/2021 - 15:27
    +4

    Do you still have the item? Just tell them it's still awaiting collection as per RA blah.

    • Summoner on 06/04/2021 - 15:31
      +3

      This. And also collect your written communications with the seller and paypal (including the attempts that seller did not responded). You will need those when you dispute the case with the seller or debt collector.

      • mskeggs on 07/04/2021 - 07:48
        +2

        Don’t forget to add your storage fee for 5 months of hassle.

  • Bargain80 on 06/04/2021 - 15:49
    +2

    Contact local bikie before the company contacts them

  • bargain huntress on 06/04/2021 - 16:25
    -4

    seeing as you don't actually owe a debt, i'm wondering if you can contact the police?

    the page holdenmg posted has numbers you can call and ask

    from a very large company.

    i don't suppose you'd feel safe letting us know who?

  • iNeed2Pee on 06/04/2021 - 16:27
    +2

    Member since….never mind.

    Welcome aboard.

  • pegaxs on 06/04/2021 - 17:38
    +2

    Hope you have a paper trail of all the contact you made with the original seller. Tell the debt collector to come and pick up the item.

    • buckethat on 06/04/2021 - 18:15
      +3

      It doesn't even matter though, cause it's been settled through PayPal. When merchants sell things and accept PayPal as a payment option, they agree to how PayPal deal with returns. They didn't follow up on the dispute raised through PayPal, thats on them and its been.. five months..

  • Topdog on 06/04/2021 - 18:42
    +2

    Just refer them to there conditions and terms on PayPal. Then block the number

  • raptormesh on 06/04/2021 - 18:43
    +4

    Charge them $ for renting space tbh, then hire the debt collection agency to chase those sweet moolah.

  • garetz on 06/04/2021 - 18:52
    +3

    This is what you do.

    Ask for the debt collectors details. You ask the debt collector if you have proof of debt. Then explain exactly what happened.
    Do not provide any of your personal information at all.
    Ask them to stop contacting you. If they persist, report them to the accc as a consumer complaint.

    https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/dealing-with-debt-collecto…

    The debt collector is not a financial service so they cannot alter your credit record.

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