In Ohio, you cannot be sent to collections after 10 days.  Usually it is 90
days past due, a couple of nasty letters, and then you go to collections.
(Part of my job is filing with collections)
 
It really sucks what they did to you.  Here in Cleveland, finding a vet
willing to let you make payments is rare.  Though when I had three ferrets
that needed blockage, spleen, and adrenal done back in June, the vet let
me make weekly payments.  Had to pay it off in 4 weeks.
 
I would send them a letter with names dates and conversations.  Asking why
you never received a letter stating you were being placed in collections,
and why they never returned your calls.  Oh, and they are telling you a
story that it was too late to accept the money.  They can accept it.  Most
businesses would rather accept it then pay the collection agency the 10%
fee for collecting the funds.
 
Good luck.
 
Jean
Ferrets Unlimited Ferret Shelter
[Posted in FML issue 3271]