What advice would you give me?

Question

A few weeks ago i replied to an email for information from Home Learning College. A "Salesman" from the college phoned me and said he would visit our home with the information. After talking to my husband we tried to cancel the appointment through sending an email to the company and phoning the college. We were told that he would not come to the house. I was surprised to find him there at the door with no knowledge of trying to cancel, but as all good "Salemen" are he managed to get in the house. After telling me about the course, i was unsure about how much it would cost but he assured me that i could look at my finaces, cancel the agreement and i wouldn't be charged. I signed the credit agreement and received a copy that said i could cancel after a short time. A week later i received another copy of the agreement, that looks exactly like the copy i signed but stating that the cancellation period is 5 days from the receipt of this copy of the form. I want to cancel the agreement!!

I phoned the college but they said it was too late to cancel. I am not sure whether i have a case to complain, or who to do it to. The Home Learning College or the company which provides the credit to them. I have all the equipment, unopened and unused and i don't know what to do foir the best.

I have missed the deadline by one day for the cooling off period. The College were adamant that i couldn't cancel and that the finance company were unlikely to cancel either. Phoned trading standards and they say because the information is there for all to see on the forms that i cannot complain but suggested contacting the finance company. I have done this and am waiting for a reply. Cannot contact CAB till after the weekend. Please anyone who is reading this do not get taken in and conned by these colleges. I am now left with a SAGE course that will cost me nearly £1300 to complete. I thought it would be easier to manage that while i have two kids at home to look after but then again thats how they train their salesmen. I am not stupid but i admit i have been a very silly girl!!

Answer 1

This is sadly the way consumers are treated on a regular basis in UK. Whatever happened to "the customer is always right?"

My advice is complain and complain and never stop complaining. Go to the top. Threaten them with the financial services ombudsman, because I believe a credit agreement such as this is covered by them. Never let it go and send the stuff back unopened if you can. Also, like the last answerer said, see the CAB.

Answer 2

Mmm interesting! I believe if they are offering credit there should be a 'fourteen day' cooling off period.

Clearly this college are desperate for sales. Sage costs £99 to buy and is taught in practically every evening class in the country.

The CAB should be able to help, however a call to the local trading standards office should help get things rolling. The fact that you stated in an email that you wished to cancel the appointment, the fact that you were encouraged to sign a credit agreement without being told the full cost or at least you had expressed a concern that you couldn't afford it. All this smacks of high pressure selling and the trading standards need to be aware of it.

Answer 3

you have two documents from them that have conflicting information, so I would say you will be able to use that fact to cast doubt on the entire agreement. Send the materials back via certified mail with a return receipt to have proof you returned them, and also send a letter formally notifying them that you have canceled the agreement per the terms they provided to you when you signed the first agreement. Tell them that if they send your case to collections or report negatively to a credit bureau you will be forced to contact the regulatory agencies, better business bureau (or UK equivalent) and most importantly the local TV news channels and newspapers, as it appears they are using an illegal scam to sell their product.

They'll leave you alone if you do those things, and that will only cost you the price of the certified mail. Then save the documents and check your credit report in a couple of months to be sure they don't file against you there. If they do, protest the credit report and send copies of your letter and the agreement that shows you properly canceled. Don't foget to date all your correspondence.

That should take care of it. good luck!

Answer 4

I'm sorry to say it sounds like you have falled for a 'pressure sale' scam ..

For sure you need to write to them immediatly Cancelling the agreemant.

I think you should also contact the Police and tell them what you wrote here i.e. you were pressured into signing the documents ...

In future, NEVER let a Salesman past the front door ...

Answer 5

if you signed a credit agreement - then it should be governed by the consumer credit act (CCA) which gives you the right to cancel within 28days - if you have no success with cancelling with the company contact either the office of fair trading (OFT) or the financial services authority (FSA) - read the small print on the copy of the form you signed - it should mention CCA

Answer 6

I would call them today and tell them your attorney will be contacting them shortly. And have a consult with an attorney to see what can be done. Sounds like a bait and switch to me.

Answer 7

and of course there is the legal requirement for a 14 day cooling off period for anything you buy at home.............

threaten them over that.

Answer 8

Good answer from [finance info] i would go with it

Answer 9

check out your local citizens advice bureau