Yesterday I was served via USPS for a debt with Susquehanna Bank here in Pennsylvania. The debt is for an auto loan which I defaulted on. A few months after the default (repo), they contacted me to make payment arrangements based off the $12,XXX which was left over from what they got at an auction for the car. I agreed to make payments of $100 per month. Unfortunately I was only able to do so for a few months (3-4) as I lost my job and went to work for another employer making less money.

What should I do? The court date is scheduled for the end of August. Can I still call the originally creditor and see if they will settle for .30 on the dollar? I don't think Susquehanna sold the debt because on the summons it shows them versus me. Granted we don't have that money, but if they would agree, we could just get a small loan to cover it. I really want to avoid having my wages garnished. I am a National Guard member and will be deploying at the end of September. A garnishment "could" put a hardship on my Family while I am away.

The creditor is asking for $11,837.97 + court fees from what I see.
Fees are $158.50 for filing costs and $11.00 for postage.

If I could still offer an amount to settle the debt I'd like to. Perhaps $5,000.00? I only have this one gig on my credit and my Wife has perfect credit, so I am sure we could get a small loan if need be.

Please give me any and all advice that you can.

I appreciate it!!

Yesterday I was served via USPS for a debt with Susquehanna Bank here in Pennsylvania. The debt is for an auto loan which I defaulted on. A few months after the default (repo), they contacted me to make payment arrangements based off the $12,XXX which was left over from what they got at an auction for the car. I agreed to make payments of $100 per month. Unfortunately I was only able to do so for a few months (3-4) as I lost my job and went to work for another employer making less money.

What should I do? The court date is scheduled for the end of August. Can I still call the originally creditor and see if they will settle for .30 on the dollar? I don't think Susquehanna sold the debt because on the summons it shows them versus me. Granted we don't have that money, but if they would agree, we could just get a small loan to cover it. I really want to avoid having my wages garnished. I am a National Guard member and will be deploying at the end of September. A garnishment "could" put a hardship on my Family while I am away.

The creditor is asking for $11,837.97 + court fees from what I see.
Fees are $158.50 for filing costs and $11.00 for postage.

If I could still offer an amount to settle the debt I'd like to. Perhaps $5,000.00? I only have this one gig on my credit and my Wife has perfect credit, so I am sure we could get a small loan if need be. They really don't HAVE to settle for less than everything. But the closer you get the more likey they might be to take it. Because they can easily have your wages garnished as well as garnish any money you have in a bank.

Please give me any and all advice that you can.

I appreciate it!!

Plan on showing up for court. You can always try asking before then but you don't really have any control... they have all of it so they can always tell you no if its not enough to satisfy them.

You really think you can get a loan with a repo on your record? You can try negotiating but since they extended a settlement once and you reneged on that, I doubt if they will agree. At the very least, they will probably get a judgment against you even if they do offer a settlement as back up if you renege again.

So I agree with smoothy that you should plan on showing up in court.