Consumer complaint received 2020-11-09
Company: Southwest Credit Systems, L.P.
State: AL
Product: Debt collection
Sub-product: Other debt
Issue: False statements or representation
Sub-issue: Attempted to collect wrong amount

Complaint:
First off I would like to point out that Southwest Credit was negligent in getting their letter of collection to me. As shown in XXXX, the date of printing was XX/XX/XXXX, and XXXX ( from USPS Informed Delivery service ) shows that the letter was not delivered until XX/XX/XXXX. That is almost TWO WEEKS to receive this letter, so this shows that an authorized agent of Southwest Credit failed to post it in a timely manner. Since it took almost TWO WEEKS to get to me, it cut my " 30 days to respond '' in half.

This " debt '' is for unreturned equipment to XXXX/XXXX. The equipment in question has been returned to XXXX/XXXX authorized locations or picked up by XXXX/XXXX  authorized representatives. 

My first apartment, agent installed cable line and provided equipment. Agent also damaged floor by dropping tool box on linoleum floor. When I moved into my next apartment agent came to install cable line, and replaced all the equipment from my previous residence ( picked up and took with him ). At this residence I canceled all services excluding internet. Within 72 hours, an agent knocked on the door at around XXXX ( I remember this, as it was an unannounced visit after I had worked a late shift the previous night ). This agent picked up 2 DVR boxes and 1 VOIP telephone modem, and gave me a receipt. Around a month later, another representative showed up to pick up the units again. I have a witness to all the events so far, but he passed away in XXXX. 

I moved into a new residence, and again a representative came to install a cable line. He also swapped out my existing internet modem with a new one, taking the old one with him. At some point, a representative came to replace my internet modem because the current one I was using failed. He took the malfunctioning one with him. 

At some point I tried the TV service once again, but due to work and school taking up most of my time I canceled it because I had no time to watch TV. I returned the DVR unit to an authorized location and I received a receipt. I also have documentation through XXXX XXXX, as I use it as my XXXX. So I have the DAY AND TIME that I completed the transaction. 

I received a letter letting me know that my modem was outdated and I could get a free upgrade. I called, and a received by XXXX  a replacement modem. Installed it, placed the old one in the box, put the prepaid label on the box, taped it closed, and sent it off around a week later. I did receive a call around a month later, asking if I had returned it yet ; in which I pulled the tracking number up and informed the operator that it had been received ( giving her the day and time posted online ). 

Finally, I moved out of state and set up an install at my new residence. The operator told me I would have to return the current modem to a location XXXX the representative could not pick it up at the time of install ). So a few weeks after I moved, I found the box I put the old modem in, and returned it ( receiving a receipt ). Within a week, I received SEVERAL phone calls from a representative trying to schedule a pick up of the modem that I had already returned. This representative never answered the phone or returned my calls. I did leave a voicemail stating that I had returned it, giving the day time and location. 

So going through ALL locations and times that I had equipment, it was turned in. Now knowing how this technology is used/recycled ; the units were either cleaned and sent out to another customer, broken down for parts, or refurbished and sold off to a second world ( XXXX XXXX that could used the older tech to develop their market ). 

So there is NO WAY XXXX/XXXX  would know what happened to the units after they were received. Also, I have established that XXXX has POOR record keeping, since there have been multiple visits/calls trying to pick up equipment that had previously been turned in. 

I would also like to point out, that I was billed an equipment rental fee for several months after the equipment was turned in ( I noticed when I received a physical bill at the third residence, so I am actually owed a refund for several months.

Company response to consumer: Closed with explanation