Debt collection agency

Night_Shade

Hi, I'm a 20 year old and dropped out of University in September due to personal reasons that went on for months before.

However I had a debt of €700 that was unpaid. They were for repeat exams that I didn't even sit because of the personal issues. I was so out of touch at the time I didn't even contact the University about anything, just turned up in September and withdrew and that's it.

But I have been getting regular letters about the debt ever since that I've been ignoring and now I've been threatened with a debt collection agency.

I don't have any assets to my name and have no means to repay the debt at the moment as I'm not working, unless I get money from my parents, which I don't want to do.

What are my options? Is it likely I'll be brought to court, and if I was brought to court, what will be said to me if I can't repay the debt?

What are my options and what is likely to happen. Thanks.

Anyone

Contact who you owe, explain your circumstances, and prove that you are not working, and agree an arrangement for something small,but regular, until you are back working and in a position to repay(eg €5 per week).

This isnt really a consumer issue btw.

zenno

Pay them back 2 euro a week that's good enough for them. They can't touch you in court if you are genuinely paying them something and are unemployed. If you were brought to court the judge would see that you made the effort to pay them something so you will be fine.

Night_Shade

Anyone wrote: »

Contact who you owe, explain your circumstances, and prove that you are not working, and agree an arrangement for something small,but regular, until you are back working and in a position to repay(eg €5 per week).

This isnt really a consumer issue btw.

Ok, but I really don't want to pay this debt, or all of it anyway.

Would they actually set a debt collector on a former student for €700 and bring me to court, or is it just an empty threat?

Do you think it could be possible that they could accept half the debt in a one off payment or something?

I want to be careful how I play this.

Tom Cruise

Change ur phone number and tell them you have moved to the UK.
Ignore the threats and have no contact with them.

foggy_lad

Night_Shade wrote: »

Ok, but I really don't want to pay this debt, or all of it anyway.

Would they actually set a debt collector on a former student for €700 and bring me to court, or is it just an empty threat?

Do you think it could be possible that they could accept half the debt in a one off payment or something?

I want to be careful how I play this.

Pay what you owe!

Yes they could easily drag you through the courts even though they might know you were broke just to make an example of you.

davo10

zenno wrote: »

Pay them back 2 euro a week that's good enough for them. .

We the tax payers pay to subsidise the costs for third level students, they marched a few months ago over impending fee increases. In this case the OP was a registered student, dropped out, didn't bother to inform the University and now wants to know his options to avoid paying. Obviously he is unable to pay now but I would love to see a levy put against any future earnings/benefits until the Uni is paid in full. To give up an education these days is a crime, but it is not a consumer issue.

Night_Shade

foggy_lad wrote: »

Pay what you owe!

But it's a ridiculous debt.

It's for repeat exams that I didn't even do. €240 of it was me just to hand up a project, which wasn't done.

If I wanted to be extremely moral about it, I should intend on paying it all but without trying to sound ignorant, I really don't want to be tied down with it even though I accept that I'm responsible for it.

Night_Shade

foggy_lad wrote: »

Pay what you owe!

Yes they could easily drag you through the courts even though they might know you were broke just to make an example of you.

But if they did drag me through the courts, knowing I have no money, how would that be making an example out of me? If I go to court and have no money to pay, what can be done?

Realistically what are the chances of them bringing me to court over €700?

foggy_lad

Night_Shade wrote: »

But if they did drag me through the courts, knowing I have no money, how would that be making an example out of me? If I go to court and have no money to pay, what can be done?

Realistically what are the chances of them bringing me to court over €700?

You can have a judgement against you which would affect your ability to get credit in the future

keithclancy

Night_Shade wrote: »

But it's a ridiculous debt.

Don't sign up for ridiculous debts then.

Ignoring it is the worst thing you can do, ring them and explain your situation.

Nobody here can tell you if they would or would not pursue you through the courts, however people here can tell you that you owe the money.


As stated above it may be possible to come to some low payment plan arrangement.

Night_Shade

foggy_lad wrote: »

You can have a judgement against you which would affect your ability to get credit in the future

I only thought that was possible when banks are involved in the debt?

In your honest opinion, how likely is it that they could bring me to court? Is there any method of checking how often this university has done it in the past? They must have plenty of people that owe outstanding fees and cannot pay them.

keithclancy

Night_Shade wrote: »

I only thought that was possible when banks are involved in the debt?

In your honest opinion, how likely is it that they could bring me to court? Is there any method of checking how often this university has done it in the past? They must have plenty of people that owe outstanding fees and cannot pay them.

Maybe talk to MABS ?

http://www.mabs.ie/contact-mabs/

Night_Shade

keithclancy wrote: »

Maybe talk to MABS ?

http://www.mabs.ie/contact-mabs/

Cheers, I will give them a call.

Anyone

Night_Shade wrote: »

Cheers, I will give them a call.

MABS are a budgeting service, designed to help people who are unable to pay their bills/debts. They wont tell you how to avoid paying debts, they will probably tell you the exact same thing as I did, except you dont want to pay to your debts.

As for the court thing, and debt collection expenses, if they go to court and win, you will pay the expenses.

keithclancy

Anyone wrote: »

MABS are a budgeting service, designed to help people who are unable to pay their bills/debts. They wont tell you how to avoid paying debts, they will probably tell you the exact same thing as I did, except you dont want to pay to your debts.

As for the court thing, and debt collection expenses, if they go to court and win, you will pay the expenses.

From:
http://www.mabs.ie/assess-your-situation/

I have just received a legal letter from a creditor’s solicitor and I don’t know what do to.

Talk to a MABS Helpline Adviser before doing anything.

Anyone

keithclancy wrote: »

From:
http://www.mabs.ie/assess-your-situation/

My Point was the OP doesnt want to pay, not that he cant. Sending him to MABS is a waste of their time, time that they can use to assist people with genuine financial issues.

Africa

I wouldnt pay this either if I were you. You didnt get what you paid for in the end, and therefore shouldnt have to. You didnt sit the exams, didnt do the repeat project, and didnt cause any loss of resources on the college part.

So I would think you have a decent case NOT to pay this. However, your negligence in not informing them will probably be the crux of any case if it were to happen.

Cabaal

Night_Shade wrote: »

But it's a ridiculous debt.

How exactly?

It's for repeat exams that I didn't even do.

Thats your fault, not the university.

€240 of it was me just to hand up a project, which wasn't done.

Again your fault,

If I wanted to be extremely moral about it, I should intend on paying it all but without trying to sound ignorant, I really don't want to be tied down with it even though I accept that I'm responsible for it.

Your 20 and you don't want to actually act like an adult, I suggest you never take out any loans or any future agreements of any sorts if your not prepared to act like an adult.

:rolleyes:

As for the suggest of talking to MABS, please don't waste their time.

MABS exist to help people with real money problems, not people that can't man up to when they have make mistakes and don't want to accept any responsibility like yourself.

Cabaal

Africa wrote: »

I wouldnt pay this either if I were you. You didnt get what you paid for in the end, and therefore shouldnt have to. You didnt sit the exams, didnt do the repeat project, and didnt cause any loss of resources on the college part.

Complete nonsense,
The services existed they just didn't choose to use them.

If you signed up to a home phone and Broadband package or for that matter any course and just choose not to use the services or take part in the course you still own the costs, the debts are still 100% valid.

The university acted in good faith here, the op by thier own admission didn't even tell them and ignored any letters from them,

Night_Shade

I haven't rang MABS yet, will do in the next hour.

The main thing I would like to know now if there is any way of finding out what track record the university has of using the agencies and people being brought to court for circa €700.

If I found out they don't use an agency or people don't get brought to court for that amount, I wouldn't pay or entertain the thought of paying.

Africa wrote: »

I wouldnt pay this either if I were you. You didnt get what you paid for in the end, and therefore shouldnt have to. You didnt sit the exams, didnt do the repeat project, and didnt cause any loss of resources on the college part.

So I would think you have a decent case NOT to pay this. However, your negligence in not informing them will probably be the crux of any case if it were to happen.

That is exactly why I don't want to pay. I didn't get what I payed for and caused no loss of resources to the college. I think the least that should be done is to have a large portion of the debt written off.

I appreciate that I was an idiot for not informing them at the time, but I was undergoing serious mental health issues. I suffered two losses of loved ones in a 12 month period which affected me badly (they have a record of this, as I was exempt from some course work because of it) and have suffered from depression and a body image disorder at the time and am only coming to terms with it now. (I haven't seen anyone over this yet and have no proof, but have told a family member and there are plans for me to get help in the next couple of months) I don't think any of that will matter to them though.

cookie1977

Have to say it's disappointing to see people not willing to deal with their debt. Why not contact the university/college and work out a plan or work out something? They may be amenable some idea.

Night_Shade

Cabaal, I'm not asking for a lecture on morals or what the right thing to do is.

I'm basically asking

a) Is there anyway I can check a University's track record with getting agencies on to people and bring them to court for sums of around €700?

b) Does anyone have any experience with a similar situation before, what did you do and what happened?

c) How likely is it that any company would i) set a debt collection agency on you for €700 and ii) how likely would it be that the agency brings you to court, even though you have no means of paying back the money?

d) How likely is it that a compromise can be reached between me and the University, to write off a large portion, or all of the debt, in people's experience?

Night_Shade

cookie1977 wrote: »

Have to say it's disappointing to see people not willing to deal with their debt. Why not contact the university/college and work out a plan or work out something? They may be amenable some idea.

It's just the size of the debt is annoying. The repeat fee is extortionate there in the first place as most Universities charge around €60 for a repeat subject, this college charges around €240. Trinity college are free. The price appears to be more of a deterrent and I just wouldn't feel right struggling to pay it if I don't really have to.

I know I took the debt on in the first place, so I don't need to be reminded.

Zab

Have you ever made any attempt to talk to the university about this debt? That's an absolute must here, at this point you're obviously going to be billed as the university has no automatic system for discounting unsat exams. There's no point in complaining about them charging you for it if you haven't pointed that out to them yet. For all we know they could be very willing to write off the whole or part of the debt.

Night_Shade

Zab wrote: »

Have you ever made any attempt to talk to the university about this debt? That's an absolute must here, at this point you're obviously going to be billed as the university has no automatic system for discounting unsat exams. There's no point in complaining about them charging you for it if you haven't pointed that out to them yet. For all we know they could be very willing to write of the whole or part of the debt.

No, I'm only taking it seriously now because it's the first time I've been threatened with a debt collecting agency. I got maybe 4 letters in the past 12 months asking for the money but it's only recently they've threatened the third party involvement, which I didn't think they would do, which is why I didn't sort it out earlier.

I plan on emailing the fees office tonight and maybe ringing them tomorrow, I just wanted to get as much information as possible before I do so.

Oryx

You are going to have to talk to your university about this. They are the only ones who know if they will bother to pursue you, what they do in other cases isn't an absolute. People here don't and can't know what is likely to happen.

It is ALWAYS unwise to avoid a debt by simply ignoring it. Yeah, it could just go away, or it could be a worry and a thorn in your side for years and end up costing you more in the long run. So phone the uni, for gods sake, and see what they have to say. The easiest and simplest way of seeing if you have any chance of legitimately getting the amount reduced is talking to them. Getting annoyed and saying you 'shouldn't' have to pay it is pointless.

MOH

Have you actually made any contact whatsoever with the university yet?

Sounds like you've been through a hell of a time, but from their point of view, you signed up for something, never went through with it, never told them, and ignored all of their attempts to contact you since.

I wouldn't assume that they know about your personal circumstances - if it's their finance department that's after you they wouldn't necessarily have any contact with whoever you got the coursework exemption from at the time.

This probably won't just go away if you keep ignoring it, and will just end up being another cause of stress for you.

You should definitely get in touch with them, and it might well be worth talking to MABS first for advice, but more with the attitude of trying to come to a compromise on how to resolve the situation, than flat out insisting you won't pay.

Also, most unis have some department for supporting students with personal issues, might be worth talking to them if you haven't done so already.

Night_Shade

Oryx wrote: »

You are going to have to talk to your university about this. They are the only ones who know if they will bother to pursue you, what they do in other cases isn't an absolute. People here don't and can't know what is likely to happen.

It is ALWAYS unwise to avoid a debt by simply ignoring it. Yeah, it could just go away, or it could be a worry and a thorn in your side for years and end up costing you more in the long run. So phone the uni, for gods sake, and see what they have to say. The easiest and simplest way of seeing if you have any chance of legitimately getting the amount reduced is talking to them. Getting annoyed and saying you 'shouldn't' have to pay it is pointless.

Thanks, but I am just assuming the University would tell me I have to pay it, say anything, and threaten me with anything so I just pay up. Isn't that what most creditors do?

cookie1977

If you contact them explaining everything (maybe if you can supply a doctors cert) I'll bet they'll be very understanding about it. The thing people are maybe annoyed to see is the query of how to avoid the debt, but your personal circumstances aside, if you approach it with openess to the university I think you'll be fine. Best of luck.

Night_Shade

MOH wrote: »

Have you actually made any contact whatsoever with the university yet?

Sounds like you've been through a hell of a time, but from their point of view, you signed up for something, never went through with it, never told them, and ignored all of their attempts to contact you since.

I wouldn't assume that they know about your personal circumstances - if it's their finance department that's after you they wouldn't necessarily have any contact with whoever you got the coursework exemption from at the time.

This probably won't just go away if you keep ignoring it, and will just end up being another cause of stress for you.

You should definitely get in touch with them, and it might well be worth talking to MABS first for advice, but more with the attitude of trying to come to a compromise on how to resolve the situation, than flat out insisting you won't pay.

Also, most unis have some department for supporting students with personal issues, might be worth talking to them if you haven't done so already.

Thanks, I had a meeting with one of the student welfare officers last year, that's how I got the exemption from some course work.

The thing is I'm not sure if any of that is relevant now that I'm not part of the college anymore.

I think I'll send a long email to them explaining everything, and see what happens.

davo10

I think there is a wider issue here. You probably recieved a grant and the tax payer pays for that Uni course to have a certain number of students per year, so yes it did cost something even though you did not attend. Also consider that some other student may have been very glad of your place. Even if you did not hand in your project or sit the exams, the Uni still had to foot the bill for providing that service. You may not want to talk about morals but there are people reading your posts wondering why tthe Uni/taxpayer should have to pay instead of you.

sandin

Tonight i threw out a packet of ham. it cost 2.99. It was unopened but it was 2 weeks past its use by date. I didn;t eat it because I didn't feel like eating ham at the time.

I want Tesco to refund it because I didn't eat it.



Look OP - you're 20, you are an adult and you must accept a little bit of this thing called RESPONSIBILITY. I know that as a kid of the noughties, you were wrapped in cotton wool and decisions were always made for you. But its tiem to wake up to yourself and accept that decisions you amke have consequences.

If you agree to do somethign, then deceide not to do it then it is YOUR responsibility to sort it out.

If you want to take a risk of having a 6 year black mark on your credit record for the sake of €700 or the sake of even ATTEMPTING to negotiate with the college on, then go ahead. But don't start crying when you are refused a car loan.

mysteries1984

Night_Shade wrote: »

Ok, but I really don't want to pay this debt, or all of it anyway.

Would they actually set a debt collector on a former student for €700 and bring me to court, or is it just an empty threat?

Do you think it could be possible that they could accept half the debt in a one off payment or something?

I want to be careful how I play this.

Night_Shade wrote: »

I haven't rang MABS yet, will do in the next hour.

The main thing I would like to know now if there is any way of finding out what track record the university has of using the agencies and people being brought to court for circa €700.

If I found out they don't use an agency or people don't get brought to court for that amount, I wouldn't pay or entertain the thought of paying.



That is exactly why I don't want to pay. I didn't get what I payed for and caused no loss of resources to the college. I think the least that should be done is to have a large portion of the debt written off.

I appreciate that I was an idiot for not informing them at the time, but I was undergoing serious mental health issues. I suffered two losses of loved ones in a 12 month period which affected me badly (they have a record of this, as I was exempt from some course work because of it) and have suffered from depression and a body image disorder at the time and am only coming to terms with it now. (I haven't seen anyone over this yet and have no proof, but have told a family member and there are plans for me to get help in the next couple of months) I don't think any of that will matter to them though.

If you were undergoing mental health issues you might need a doctor's note (although is the body image and depression self diagnosed??). I deferred a year with a doctor's note and managed to avoid paying fees for the few months I went. But I did talk to them about it immediately.

As for court, I don't see why they wouldn't bring you. I got contacted by the debt collectors for a €35 library book I lost so they might go to that length. You're looking for the odds on you being brought to court - nobody here is likely to have them. I doubt colleges/universities broadcast them.

keithclancy

Anyone wrote: »

My Point was the OP doesnt want to pay, not that he cant. Sending him to MABS is a waste of their time, time that they can use to assist people with genuine financial issues.

My point was that MABS are a professional service and would be much better qualified to make the op aware of the consequences of non payment.


IMO Theres a thin line between can't pay and won't pay, sometimes if a debt looks impossible to sort out people just get it in their head that they shouldn't have to pay.

That is all.

CaliforniaDream

I really hope the university takes you to court and wins.
You signed up for the repeat exams, knew the cost, accepted the cost and never told anyone when you decided not to sit them.
You are 100% at fault. People have personal issues all the time and it's not an excuse to ignore debts or obligations.
You don't deserve anyone's pity and I hope people don't continue to try and help you.

cookie1977

The uni is highly unlikely to go to court over 700euro. Most (not all) organisations dont go to court unless the debt is over 1000euro as it may not be worth the cost and risk. I think in this case as soon as the OP explains everything to the university (admittedly they should have done this a long time ago) they will simply draw a line under it.

keithclancy

CaliforniaDream wrote: »

I really hope the university takes you to court and wins.
You signed up for the repeat exams, knew the cost, accepted the cost and never told anyone when you decided not to sit them.
You are 100% at fault. People have personal issues all the time and it's not an excuse to ignore debts or obligations.
You don't deserve anyone's pity and I hope people don't continue to try and help you.

Schadenfreude i/ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/ (German: [ˈʃaːdənˌfʁɔʏdə]) is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.[1] This German word is used as a loanword in English and some other languages.

Cabaal

keithclancy wrote: »

Schadenfreude i/ˈʃɑːdənfrɔɪdə/ (German: [ˈʃaːdənˌfʁɔʏdə]) is pleasure derived from the misfortunes of others.[1] This German word is used as a loanword in English and some other languages.

Perhaps, but this applys to the op at the very least

re·spon·si·bil·i·ty
   [ri-spon-suh-bil-i-tee] Show IPA
noun, plural re·spon·si·bil·i·ties.
1.
the state or fact of being responsible.
2.
an instance of being responsible: The responsibility for this mess is yours!
3.
a particular burden of obligation upon one who is responsible: the responsibilities of authority.
4.
a person or thing for which one is responsible: A child is a responsibility to its parents.
5.
reliability or dependability, especially in meeting debts or payments.

Dudess

I rented a DVD, didn't watch it and forgot about it - now I owe Xtra Vision fines. They should have known I didn't watch it/forgot about it, because every service provider is psychic! How do I get out of paying this? I really don't want to pay it, unlike everyone else, who just loves paying for services they willingly use.

Africa

I would be interested to know what happens. Personally I wouldnt pay for it but I would have let them know more by now. The truth is you need to call the college and explain it and see what they say. Dont worry about wasting MABS time and such, you need financial advice, thats part of what they are there for. Ultimately these two calls will tell you so much more than we can.

A lot of trolls in here. Come on mods, get the hammer out...

keithclancy

Cabaal wrote: »

Perhaps, but this applys to the op at the very least

Of course it does.

But telling the OP to 'do it or burn in hell' is not very constructive, they need someone to tell them 'how' to do it and what are the consequences of not doing it.

Tell a child to clean their room and they'll walk in a push everything into the corner, this eventually becomes 'will not do it'

Show a child how to clean their room and they'll know how to do it and then continue to do it each time.

Dudess

Africa wrote: »

I would be interested to know what happens. Personally I wouldnt pay for it but I would have let them know more by now. The truth is you need to call the college and explain it and see what they say. Dont worry about wasting MABS time and such, you need financial advice, thats part of what they are there for. Ultimately these two calls will tell you so much more than we can.

A lot of trolls in here. Come on mods, get the hammer out...

"Trolls" meaning people who loathe the "I'm not paying it because I don't want to!" attitude I take it.
There is not one trollish post - there's some pretty crap advice from people who obviously have no concept of personal responsibility all right though.

Faolchu

Night_Shade wrote: »

But it's a ridiculous debt.

So is my mortgage but i still have to pay it, ridiculous in that the amount owen is mor ethan the present value of the asset. but life sucks and i get on with it.

Night_Shade wrote: »

It's for repeat exams that I didn't even do. €240 of it was me just to hand up a project, which wasn't done.

whose fault is that? the uni's? no its yours I assume you registered to do the repeats, if thats the cas ethen you should have told them you would not attend and maybe you wouldnt owe them money.

Night_Shade wrote: »

I really don't want to be tied down with it even though I accept that I'm responsible for it.

LOL we all feel that way about our debts but we are obliged to pay them anyway, get off your arse and pay your deby. get a job and pay 70 a month and it'll be cleared in no time. €70 a month is what 1 maybe 2 nights on the lash every month? think of the additional health benifits ot not drinking those two nights

EDIT: YAY I'm a troll

Dudess

zenno wrote: »

Pay them back 2 euro a week that's good enough for them.

How is it "good enough for them"? Oh you're assuming because it's a big bad company it has plenty of money? Whether that's the case (and you don't know) is immaterial - the money is owed.

Tom Cruise wrote: »

Change ur phone number and tell them you have moved to the UK.
Ignore the threats and have no contact with them.

Don't follow this nonsense OP. Oh these great "crusaders for the little guy" who don't give a hoot that most other people just pay their way. If a company overcharges a person, the company is in the wrong and should be challenged and certainly not paid (rarely happens though). If a person agrees to pay for something, this is provided and then they don't pay, the person is in the wrong, not the company - some folks are just anti-company though and STILL think the company is at fault in those instances.

Africa wrote: »

I wouldnt pay this either if I were you. You didnt get what you paid for in the end, and therefore shouldnt have to.

Didn't get what they paid for? How exactly is the college responsible for this? Oh yeah, it isn't.
 
OP, cop on and talk to the college. Get as much documentation as you can. Your difficult personal circumstances played a huge role in this, to be fair to you, so therefore, advise them - they are not psychic (despite the consensus among some that organisations are - the very same people who no doubt would be whingeing about anything that's too "big brother"). Ignoring debt letters is utterly ridiculous. Say you feel you should not be liable for the full debt (and in fairness circumstances do change but it's not a guarantee they'll accommodate this - however from what I know, third-level institutions are usually pretty accommodating about stuff like this) and see if you can set up an installment plan.

Don't be surprised of your neglect of the correspondence goes against you though.

the_syco

Night_Shade wrote: »

Ok, but I really don't want to pay this debt

When I read this, I stopped reading the thread, and stopped caring about your reasons.

You borrow, you pay it back. With an attitude like yours, I hope they bring you to court, and I hope you admit that you have no intent on paying it so you can be thrown into jail. And then fine you.

Oh, and if you ever need a loan again, I can see you not getting it, as there'll hopefully be a history somewhere of you not repaying your loans.

Africa

yeah... the overall feel of this thread is awful, Ive never seen such disdain from Consumer Issues posters.

At least I have managed to provide some advice. There is a good chance of not having to pay this but I would say that chance has run out as it has been left so long and may be required now for the administrative costs of setting this up. Either way, I think you should call MABS and your college asap.

With the costs of education these days, I feel that it is necessary to fight back against bills like this, plus the fact that its the college you owe the money so I wouldnt worry about the debt collectors too much. Just call the college and get it sorted, and state that you didnt sit them due to medical and personal reasons which could be backed up with medical records, therefore probably should not be paying all of it. Perhaps some of it.

Posters comparing it to their other bills like mortgage and such; get a clue. Its nothing like that.

Dudess

Others have also provided advice, not sure what you're implying there. Oh it's because it's advice you don't like eh? The OP's attitude stinks, but no... it's the other posters who have the bad attitude.
If the OP had just posted "I owe money to my college but I dropped out due to difficult circumstances and didn't sit my exams and now I've a debt and no money, can anyone offer advice?" people wouldn't be so hostile. It's the ignoring of the notices and the "I don't want to pay, the college should be psychic" stuff that winds people up.

As for the "fight costs of education" stuff - translation: "I will try to figure out a way to benefit myself but let everyone else pay no prob."

Where should the money paying for education come from if you feel it is so high? I dropped out back in the late 90s and faced a similar issue. Didn't occur to me to have a sense of entitlement about it though, but I spoke to the college which helped me out.

Linoge

I would absolutely always say to pay your debts, but in this instance, do you realistically have one?



You applied for a service ie. repeat exams, which you did not take. What service have you received for your EUR 700? You did not use their hall to take them, have someone correct them or receive a cert on completion. What extra cost has it come to?

Some people may think that its reasonable that you signed a piece of paper wanting to repeat the exams therefore you owe. Does an application constitute a contract now? The contract is only fulfilled when the services are rendered. In this case, you did not give them an oppurtunity to render their services.

@Dudess This is not money for education, it is repeat fees for exams. Extortionate fees at that. This is not a crusade for the little man at all, its what would be equitable and fair. The OP was immatture and a bit wreckless and should have told the college he was dropping out yes, but I dont think that should just mean pay over what anyone demands of you without giving it a thought. You are looking it at like "the rule is that if you apply and don't cancel you have to pay anyway". The advise should be based on whether they are legally entitled to receive this money from the OP.

Dudess

Linoge wrote: »

I would absolutely always say to pay your debts, but in this instance, do you realistically have one?



You applied for a service ie. repeat exams, which you did not take. What service have you received for your EUR 700? You did not use their hall to take them, have someone correct them or receive a cert on completion. What extra cost has it come to?

Some people may think that its reasonable that you signed a piece of paper wanting to repeat the exams therefore you owe. Does an application constitute a contract now? The contract is only fulfilled when the services are rendered. In this case, you did not give them an oppurtunity to render their services.

@Dudess This is not money for education, it is repeat fees for exams. Extortionate fees at that. This is not a crusade for the little man at all, its what would be equitable and fair. The OP was immatture and a bit wreckless and should have told the college he was dropping out yes, but I dont think that should just mean pay over what anyone demands of you without giving it a thought. You are looking it at like "the rule is that if you apply and don't cancel you have to pay anyway". The advise should be based on whether they are legally entitled to receive this money from the OP.

No I agree Linoge, however it was just the attitude etc as I said to Africa that resulted in the negative feedback to the OP.

noodler

Africa wrote: »

With the costs of education these days, I feel that it is necessary to fight back against bills like this, plus the fact that its the college you owe the money so I wouldnt worry about the debt collectors too much.

What?

The cost of education? The heavily subsidised cost you mean?

There are perfectly good reasons why repeat exams are so expensive.

OP, call the ****ing university and stop hoping that a majority of people will tell you what you want to hear i.e:keep burying your head in the sand.