I Paid for Microsoft’s Mistake • Hacker News Board

Re: I Paid for Microsoft’s Mistake

#11

Post by jrockway » Tue, Apr 27, 2010, 10:04 AM UTC

ars wrote: post #10

jrockway wrote: post #9

Despite the error by Microsoft, I have no choice but to pay the outstanding invoice. There's the other choice: continue to not pay it. Your obligation is to Microsoft, not the collections agency. Microsoft mistakenly sold your account to the collections agency; that is Microsoft's problem, not yours. Consulting a lawyer would also be helpful.

Consulting a lawyer over $99 is not worth it, unless it's for the principle of the thing. The simplest is to tell them "It's a mistake", and then ignore them utterly.

Especially if they don't have your SSN.

Re: I Paid for Microsoft’s Mistake

#12

Post by rbanffy » Tue, Apr 27, 2010, 10:20 AM UTC

jajabe wrote: post #5

mkturner, bitter experience teaches me that I (you in this case) should've been more aggressive about getting the situation resolved. A little goodwill on your part i.e. attempting to find a reader would have gone a LONG way to closing this case. I empathize, but not doing your legwork is inexcusable.

I's send you invoices in Microsoft Reader format. Good luck.

Re: I Paid for Microsoft’s Mistake

#13

Post by stusmith1977 » Tue, Apr 27, 2010, 11:30 AM UTC

Not sure what country you're in, but here in the UK the law is on your side.

* Get everything in writing. Keep copies. Inform both MS and the collection agency that they're in error. Send it recorded. Make them sign for the letter.

* Next, ignore them until they either take you to court, or put something on your credit record. Only a court can force you to pay a debt like that.

* If they take you to court, you have a period of time to respond. You don't need to physically go to court in most cases.

* If they put something on your credit record, take them to court to have it removed. That costs about £70. The record comes off in a matter of days.

* Any court judgements issued can also be overturned, if you have a good reason for not responding in time.

* Any costs (eg that £70 above) can then be reclaimed through small claims. A small claims filing costs about the same, but you just add it to the claim you're making. Add on postage, travel, etc.

* Remember the judge will recognize the sleazy agencies. (They will probabaly deal with several such cases every day). If you have the proof in paperwork, they will find for you.

* Once overturned, they cannot take you to court again for the same amount. If a judge decides the amount is wrong, you cannot be harrassed again for the same amount. End of story.

You've probably now lost the money however since you've essentially admitted fault, but you may be able to put it through small claims. Not sure.

Re: I Paid for Microsoft’s Mistake

#14

Post by mecton » Thu, Apr 29, 2010, 4:20 PM UTC

jajabe wrote: post #5

mkturner, bitter experience teaches me that I (you in this case) should've been more aggressive about getting the situation resolved. A little goodwill on your part i.e. attempting to find a reader would have gone a LONG way to closing this case. I empathize, but not doing your legwork is inexcusable.

I've had a similar experience with Comcast, which took tons of frustration and hours on the phone escalating through Customer Service to get it resolved. Mistakes happen and the little guy is at a disadvantage, but in this case I think your problems were compounded by your strong bias against Microsoft. If your beef would've been with, say, Apple, then I think you would've pushed harder into having it solved.