Report RE: Debt collectors for unpaid fees

Original Post

by: Maestro

Find someone else!! They only do it through the small claims court so it is possible to do it yourself. You still have to pay the court fees up front yourself as you would with most debt agencies. This gets added to the debt for the parent to pay though so if the parent pays they also have to pay this fee and you get the money back.

The company we use charge something between 10-15% commission and a fee for arranging the court papers. The court fees we also have to pay but then as I said we get the court fees back IF they pay.

You have to weigh up the fact if they are not working then it will be very hard to get the money back. Baliffs always sound the best option but in fact the possessions people own are worth next to nothing in auctions, its good if you want to buy something at a repossession auction mind! I will send the debt to the agency just for the sheer harrassment value of what they do. If they are claiming benefits and not working do not be hopeful of reclaiming you unpaid fees.

If they are working then you have a better chance, if the debt accumlates enough then you file for insolvency but this has lost the stigma it had years ago and some people wont care! Attachment to earnings are based on a percentage of wages which is worked out on the number hours worked. Anthing around 20hours per week works out at about 3% payback so if your debt is over £500 then you are looking at recouping the debt well over 6 years!!

Of course there are other methods of claiming back, you can freeze the bank accounts etc.. but theres always a way round for the not so bothered snidey parent. The goverment pay out far too much in benefits these days for people to have any real value of money!

If a parent is not working or has just lost their job be cautious.

Best idea is to demand money on Mondays, last day Fridays no entry to nursery on the following Monday. At least you only lose a weeks fees! Harsh but fair.

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