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FREE CONSUMER TOOL
Know what your debt may cost.
Negotiate with confidence.
The balance they ask for may be far higher than the price a debt buyer paid. Understand the difference before you negotiate.
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01 / YOUR DEBT
Start with two numbers
$
Count from your account’s default date. Use days, not months or time since a debt sale.
0 days3,000 days
A separate, unchecked acknowledgment is required for each estimate.
Understand your estimate
This model estimates a possible bulk-purchase value allocated to your account. It is not a verified purchase price, market quote or settlement prediction. We plan to refine it using consumer experience data.
02 / ESTIMATED WHOLESALE VALUE
Illustrative, not an offerLoading…
… per $1 of outstanding balance
Review the disclosure to view your estimate
Their purchase price. Your negotiating perspective.
Debt buyers purchase large portfolios of defaulted accounts, often at a substantial discount to the balances owed. This is the wholesale market. Your result estimates what your account might represent within a bulk purchase, not what you must offer to settle it.
The full balance is a demand, not proof that there is no room to negotiate. A discounted purchase can leave substantial room between acquisition cost and the amount requested. Understanding that gap can help you make an informed, affordable proposal.
You can propose a lower settlement. Acceptance is not guaranteed, and the purchase price does not change the amount legally owed. Some collectors work for creditors and have not purchased your debt.
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LEGAL SUPPORT
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legal support.
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GUIDED OFFER LETTER
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into an offer.
Read your letter, choose a comfortable offer and prepare a draft you control.
UNDERSTAND THE BUSINESS
Why ask for 100% after buying at a discount?
They price the whole portfolio
Buyers do not expect to recover every dollar from every account. Purchase prices reflect uncertain recoveries and the cost of collection. They may still seek the full legally collectible balance from an individual consumer to increase recoveries across the portfolio.
You can ask for a different outcome
A settlement below the full balance can still make economic sense to a buyer. There may be meaningful negotiating room. The gap is not all profit: it also covers unsuccessful collections, operating costs and risk. It does not establish a guaranteed discount on your account.
You have a voice in this conversation. Verify the debt. Know your budget. Ask what settlement options are available. An opening demand does not have to be your opening offer.
Background: FTC debt-buying study (2013; historical portfolio evidence, not validation of this estimate).
03 / YOUR NEXT CONVERSATION
Turn understanding into negotiating power.
Use the estimate as context, not a promised settlement price. Choose an offer based on verified debt, your rights and what you can realistically afford.
Verify what you owe
Confirm the creditor, collector, balance and debt details before negotiating. Ask for information if something is unfamiliar.
Check your position
For older debt, check the applicable state rules before paying or promising payment. In some states, either can restart the time limit for a lawsuit. Do not ignore court papers.
Agree in writing
Ask whether a lower amount would resolve the debt. Do not promise payments you cannot sustain. Obtain a written settlement agreement before paying, including how the remaining balance will be handled. Settlement does not guarantee removal from your credit report.
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Disclosure and No Professional Advice Policy
Debt Value supplies educational information and automated self-help tools only. No legal, financial, tax, credit or other professional advice is provided.