[Jedi Mistress Ari]

Hi everyone,

Since consolidation and settlement companies are there to provide a remedy for your money troubles, they all seem like light at the end of the tunnel. Not all of them are, unfortunately, and it's tough to tell which ones are on the up and up. Well, some are certainly on the down and down, what I am about to describe to you is something I really hope is an isolated incident.

Back at Protocol, I came across an account that was being mediated by Provanta, I called them and they faxed me a power of attorney to speak on his behalf. I filed it properly and gave them a call the next day feeling confident that this would be pleasant and efficient because I'd arranged settlements in the past with attorneys back when I did student loans.

Well that was a daydream and a half! They poor dude had $17000+ credit card debt, and this battle-ax who is representing him says he ony has $2000 to settle with. That obviously wouldn't cut it, I offered to arrange a payment plan with the $2k as a down payment. Battle-ax rudely stated that they only deal in lump sums, not payment plans, so take it or leave it. I explained that with the size of the debt, that little amount would not be enough to settle on! Battle-ax goes on this tirade about how the fees and interest accrued as if I'm the one who added them! Needless to say, we did not part on good terms and I really don't think this company helped the poor guy at all, just continued to drown him. Unfortunately for this fella, his debt will grow like wild mushrooms and this company will keep him in a cage.

This company is crap. I wonder what they charged that poor man to keep him in a box like that.

They are in California I believe. If any of you in California are looking for assistance with your bills, stay as far away from Provanta as humanly possible. They are a bunch of charlatans.

[Mary]

Poor guy. I am sure he isn't the first and won't be the last to be ripped off by places like that. Thanks for posting this, I'm in California and I do not want to be ripped off when I am ready to consolidate!!

~Mary

[Jedi Mistress Ari]

The pleasure is all mine! When you do your homework on finding a company to help you consolidate or even settle, you have this forum and even more information on the web as your study guide.

[roxette]

Basically, when you are giving your money to some agency, you have to know their reputation in the market. Bad business activities cannot remain locked inside a room. It has to come out and it will reach straight to the law enforcement agencies, BBB, FTC and the like. So, make sure that you do your part of the research. It will be always helpful.

Regards
Roxette

[Jedi Mistress Ari]

I wonder if the original creditors out their are doing research of their own when it comes to collection account placement. All this illegal and detructive activity makes the whole thing a long painful ordeal. Makes me sick how the world of money can be so morally broke.

I'M FROM JERSEY AND WAS WITH PROVANTA...NOW THEY SAY I OWE THEM ALMOST 700 BUCKS!! I PAID THEM 250 A MONTH FOR OVER A YEAR AND THEY ONLY PAID OFF ONE DEBT FOR 700 BUCKS OR SOMETHING...SO HOW DO I OWE THEM MONEY WHEN THEY DIDNT EVEN DO THEIR JOB AND ONLY PAID OFF ONE OF MY DEBTS IN ONE YEAR!!!! OVER $3000 PAID TO THEM....700 TO DEBT....BUT I OWE THEM 700...HMMM :twisted:

We are with Provanta and have been very pleased. They have settled most of our debt and only have 2 more to go. And that is out of about 10 different companies. In just 3 years they have done a lot for us. I'm sorry it hasn't worked out for everyone, but it certainly has for us.

[love_my_things]

I am sad to here about this. I am a former provanta member and I was very pleased as to how they treated me and my accounts. I absolutely had no trouble with them I even ran into a few months of being strapped and they gave me a option to lower my payment for a month or two to help me get on my feet. I would recommend their services to anyone.

[tmftwiz]

thanks for posting this jedi, it is not only important that a debt settlement company disclose everything to the client in a professional and courteous manner, but equally important that the company remain professional when arbitrating with creditors/collectors. yes it is negotiation/arbitration but that doesn't mean it can't be civil.

According to the BBB Provanta has an A rating and have been in business for over a decade.

[love_my_things]

This is a extremely old post, but i must say that i had a great experience with this company although it was 5 years ago when i signed up. they did what they said, they didnt make me false promises and they were upfront and honest about what could happen. at the time (things could have changed though) they charged by the % of what was saved which made me comfortable that they would work hard for me. the better the settlement the better they got paid.

[love_my_things]

and to add, im sure they did start out very low, trying to get the guy the best settlement, but isnt this how the negotiation begins? start low, counter, and so forth until a agreement is met.

I too have had a good experience with provanta.

Cool site, love the info.

I seems that folks have horror stories to tell about all of the debt settlement companies. How am I ever going to find the right one for my case. Might as well throw a dart and choose one that way.

Hey very nice blog!!....I'm an instant fan, I have bookmarked you and I'll be checking back on a regular....See ya