I've found them almost impossible to deal with.
When I knew I was running into difficulty, I called them to discuss the situation. They refused to engage with me until I was in arrears. What's the point in being proactive and on top of your affairs?!
When I went into arrears, I was asked to submit income and expenditure details with a view to having the interest and charges frozen and repaying the debt over 5 years. I was advised that this was a formality based on my circumstances and that all I had to do was demonstrate the ability to meet the relevant 60 repayments. So I did. I was told that I'd be called after 3-4 days. After 8 days, I called them to check the progress of the application and was advised that it had been rejected on the basis that I had demonstrated that I could afford the monthly minimum repayment. I was abused and called a timewaster. I was told that in order to get an instalment arrangement, one had to demonstrate that one cannot make one's minimum monthly repayment. I was then asked to resubmit my details which I did in writing. I still haven't received anything back from MBNA. Staff call me every day harrassing me and telling me that I have to make my minimum monthly repayment. My request for an instalment arrangement has been turned down because "I can't afford the relevant monthly repayment". I told them that I'd a friend who was willing to aid me. They requested that in writing from the friend in the form of an undertaking which we're (obviously) not willing to give for unsecured debt. I've pointed out the contradiction here - They say I can't afford the instalment arrangement but keep hassling me and demanding the minimum monthly repayment. If they say I can't afford the former, why do they demand the latter? Each time someone else calls you, they know nothing of prior calls. Some of the staff harrass you and can be abusive. It's all very upsetting.
Should I just ask them to charge it off?