Need a little help >>> Collection agency and invalid debts - F-Body Road Racing and Autocross Forums

I'm hoping someone with some experience can help me out or give me some advice. Long story short, a wireless provider is trying to collect money that I don't owe, and has now turned it over to a collection agency. I know, it sounds like the typical BS from cheapskates that don't pay their bills, but anybody that knows me knows that isn't the case. Hell, my credit record speaks to that...its absolutely perfect.

Background: I tried Nextel wireless (actually Nextel Partners in my area) because I moved and my provider at the time did not work. I cancelled the service by porting my number out seven days after activation. I sent the phone back, but it was received by them well outside of the 14 day trial window. This was because they never would send the required return form until the fourth time I called about it. Now, they're trying to get a $200 early termination fee out of me plus the price of the phone. Based on the bits I can gather from my unsuccessful attempts to straighten this out, they're claiming I owe this all because the phone came back late. I really have tried to get things straight, even faxing letters to their corporate headquarters to the "escalation department".

Now, I'm faced with basically paying them off to keep my credit where it should be. This is a particularly bad time, as I'll be buying real estate within the next six months. I can:

1. Just pay it and forget it
2. Refuse to pay and take the credit hit
3. Pay it, then try to get it back

It's only about $275, but I'm hardheaded and I don't want to pay it just because its pure BS. I've actually been in a similar situation before with Verizon, where I tried their service, cancelled within a few days, and they just kept it going until I supposedly owed them hundreds of dollars. I got lucky on that one, because (this is a strange coincidence) I was buying a house and someone in the lender's office happened to be an ex-Verizon employee. They put me in touch with someone that handled it and that was that. I really feel like these companies, in many cases, are holding people's credit records hostage to increase their profits. So, I'm willing to spend a little bit of time to keep my credit record clean and keep Nextel's greedy little hands off my money at the same time.

Do I have a chance in small claims court? Will the BBB do anything for me (I filed a complaint with them today)? How far will it drop my credit score? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

GaryK View Member Profile	Sep 19 2006, 12:28 AM Post #1
Advanced Member Group: Advanced Members Posts: 289 Joined: 30-December 03 From: Verona, VA Member No.: 71	I'm hoping someone with some experience can help me out or give me some advice. Long story short, a wireless provider is trying to collect money that I don't owe, and has now turned it over to a collection agency. I know, it sounds like the typical BS from cheapskates that don't pay their bills, but anybody that knows me knows that isn't the case. Hell, my credit record speaks to that...its absolutely perfect. Background: I tried Nextel wireless (actually Nextel Partners in my area) because I moved and my provider at the time did not work. I cancelled the service by porting my number out seven days after activation. I sent the phone back, but it was received by them well outside of the 14 day trial window. This was because they never would send the required return form until the fourth time I called about it. Now, they're trying to get a $200 early termination fee out of me plus the price of the phone. Based on the bits I can gather from my unsuccessful attempts to straighten this out, they're claiming I owe this all because the phone came back late. I really have tried to get things straight, even faxing letters to their corporate headquarters to the "escalation department". Now, I'm faced with basically paying them off to keep my credit where it should be. This is a particularly bad time, as I'll be buying real estate within the next six months. I can: 1. Just pay it and forget it 2. Refuse to pay and take the credit hit 3. Pay it, then try to get it back It's only about $275, but I'm hardheaded and I don't want to pay it just because its pure BS. I've actually been in a similar situation before with Verizon, where I tried their service, cancelled within a few days, and they just kept it going until I supposedly owed them hundreds of dollars. I got lucky on that one, because (this is a strange coincidence) I was buying a house and someone in the lender's office happened to be an ex-Verizon employee. They put me in touch with someone that handled it and that was that. I really feel like these companies, in many cases, are holding people's credit records hostage to increase their profits. So, I'm willing to spend a little bit of time to keep my credit record clean and keep Nextel's greedy little hands off my money at the same time. Do I have a chance in small claims court? Will the BBB do anything for me (I filed a complaint with them today)? How far will it drop my credit score? Any help would be greatly appreciated.