I was unaware that I had a MAJOR CREDIT PROBLEM due to HRS until just recently, when I was turned down for credit due to derogatory credit information, at which time I requested a copy of my credit report from Experian.

This derogatory information relates to my HRS account beginning with (deleted) (which may not be the complete account number, I'm not sure). My credit report is showing in my account history that the account was "120 days late as of November, 1999".

I wish to make the point that this account was NEVER LATE, and was paid as agreed. The problem was that the merchant, "The Good Guys", failed to code my purchase as a special promotion when they turned my account over to Household Retail Services. (The item I had purchased was a digital camera and camera case, and the purchase was made in about June or July, 1999.) The terms of the special promotion were that I was supposed to be allowed to pay the entire amount by the end of 6 months with NO periodic payments, NO interest and NO finance charges.

During the course of the 6 months immediately following this purchase, I started receiving "Past Due" notices. Each time I got a "late" notice from HRS (and this occurred almost every month after about 60 days), I had to make a special trip to "The Good Guys", and I spent quite a long time in their store on SEVERAL occasions trying to get the matter corrected. Each time "The Good Guys" personnel would apologize and tell me it was straightened out, and would be fine in the future.

I *DID* pay for this purchase in full within the 6 months specified in the special promotion, and all overcharges and late fees were eventually credited back to my account by HRS, though unbeknownst to me, my account history continued to reflect a status of "120 days late". The very day I became aware of the derogatory information on my credit report (earlier this month!!!), I filed a request with Experian to investigate the matter, giving them the same facts as above.

However, I had a reply from Experian yesterday indicating that after investigating (through HRS, I assume), my credit history of "past due 120 days" had not been changed in any way, and I am totally incensed that this is being allowed to stand! I reiterate that, under the terms of the Promotion under which I made my purchase from "The Good Guys", my account was NEVER LATE!!!

I have not changed my address since 1989. However, possibly due to faulty mail service / delivery to the condominium complex where I live, or possibly due to HRS's not sending me a statement after the expiration of the promotional period, I did fail to receive a follow-up bill/statement. Unfortunately, mis-directed mail seems to be a fairly common occurrence where I live, whereby mail is either mis-delivered (to an incorrect address) or never shows up at all. My neighbors and I frequently trade pieces of mail left in the wrong box by our mail carrier. Therefore, I'm unable to state with certainty whether the problem lay with HRS or with my mail carrier.

I have not yet reported this problem to the California Attorney General, the Better Business Bureau, or any other agencies, as I was hopeful that my request through Experian would be an end to the matter.