|
EliseLynn
June 17, 2011
Usury
We purchased a water softening system for our home and financed it through Aqua Finance, Inc. We hadn't asked, which was stupid, how much the finance charges would be and when we got the first bill and saw how high it was, we immediately decided to pay it off. We payed what they financed and the finance charge shown under the "New Balance" portion of the bill. We thought that would be that and didn't receive another bill until June 17th. This bill showed that we owed $21.37. I thought this was in error and called and talked to one of the Vice Presidents of the company, Scott Chittum. I informed him that we had paid the "New Balance" when we received the first bill, in April 28, 2011 of $3022.19, which should have brought our balance to zero. Well, I called the phone number provided and spoke with a representative that told me she'd have to give me to someone else who could explain it to me better than she could. His name was Scott Chittum, a vice president of Aqua Finance. He told me that I owed the money as they charge interest daily and that I should have called for the "pay off" amount before I paid it off. He claimed it says it four times on the bill and insinuated that I was negligent for not noticing. I told him that I didn't see it even now (it is there 1 1/2 times but not prominently). But, what I did see was the "New Balance" amount which infers that is the balance to pay off, and a statement that says, "You may pay your entire balance at any time." It does NOT then say, "Call for your payoff amount." anywhere but does say, "For questions regarding this statement, to report a lost or stolen card, or would like a payoff quote, please call (877) 369-4330." It doesn't say you have to call for a payoff quote. It warns that if you make a late payment you will be charged a late fee and more interest. It warns that if you make only the minimum payment it will cost you a lot more because of interest. It draws your attention if you are a check writer to the fact that if you write a bad check they will charge you non-sufficient funds fee. But it does not warn you that if you only pay the "New Balance" you will still have to pay another payment and finance charges!!!
|