2009-07-08 webmail to Amex

to Amex

It appears that we will not be able to make the minimum payment on this card this month. We are wondering if there are any "financial hardship" payment arrangements you would be willing to make.

In our case, we have been experiencing repeated delays in trying to arrange residential services for Sandy's autistic son, Josh -- his needs (and the time/effort required to fight the state's mental healthcare bureaucracy) have gradually squashed our income-earning ability down to almost nothing, and Sandy is now very much in a classic "spiraling debt" situation as a result.

I will be happy to provide additional details and answer any questions you might have -- email is best.

Thank you,

Nick Staddon

from Amex (7/9)

Response (Bishal Rai) 07/09/2009 12:46 AM
Dear Sandra Hall,

You recently e-mailed us regarding your American Express account. We recognize that this must be a difficult time for you.

We may have a solution that will help you resolve your debt with American Express. We would like to assist you via-e-mail, but in order to tailor a potential plan to your situation we must speak with you. Please contact our Account Services Group directly at

1-800-230-1284 and/or 1-800-235-1709 (24 hours a day - 7 days a week). From outside the United States, please call collect at 1-336-393-1111.

Thank you again for allowing us to assist you.

Sincerely,

Bishal Rai
Email Servicing Team
American Express Interactive Services

comments

Oh well, guess that's a dead end. --Woozle 13:06, 9 July 2009 (UTC)

to Amex(7/24)

I have sent in a token payment of $50, as that is all we can spare right now.

Unfortunately, calling you is not really an option for us. We both have severe phone phobia, and this is the sort of call for which I would need a great deal of mental calmness and preparation in order to make, so it's not likely to happen given the current chaos in our lives (which is also the biggest contributor to Sandy's financial mess).

However, if you would be willing to call us, I should be able to talk with you. (This avoids all the phone-tree navigation and having to explain who we are and why we're calling, which is a large part of the phobia.) 919-627-8595 is probably the best number.

Thank you,

Nick Staddon, on behalf of Sandy Hall

comments

The above number is our new Google Voice number, which gives us the option to record conversations when it picks up. (Unfortunately it also announces "recording on" to both parties when we do this, which is required by laws I don't agree with, so it may not be something we can use to keep a record of more casual conversations. Feh.) --Woozle 11:38, 24 July 2009 (EDT)