brighthouse nightmare

[alli28]

i have been with bh for almost 2 years now and havent had any problems util that is i got paid off 6 weeks ago and have really struggled to pay them so much so i tried to end it 3 weeks ago when i couldnt cope. i currently owe them £255 and cant seem to get back on track as i only just got my income support etc etc fixed out but with the little amount i have coming in i cant afford to pay what i owe although i could now pay my weekly payment i have 5 kids and im barely eating so i can cut back but bh is stressing me out and i know they will be at my door first thing monday. all the things i have from them i need and some things only have around 100-150 owing per item...suite,washing machine etc has anybody any ideas please help

[rory32]

Hi alli28 and welcome to CAG. We have a special forum just for people having problems with Brighthouse. I will move your post there where I'm sure you will receive lots of help and advice.

[sillygirl1]

Instead of buying over priced items from Brighthouse why not try your local Freecycle group, a lot of things go on our local one, it's a way forward for a lot of people in tough (and not so tough) situations. I used Freecycle to get rid of my big old computer desk and got a much smaller one for nothing, lots of TVs, sofas and beds go on the list, not to mention washing machines and fridge freezers.

Try that instead of Brighthouse - you might very well be surprised.

[alli28]

i understand what you are saying and yes thats a good idea the only thing that bothers me is that ive paid lots of money for these things and most are almost paid of and if i let them take them back then i lose all those things along with the large amounts of money i have already paid. if they take them back they sell them on as used goods and still make another large profit from someone else where as ive already paid twice over for them.

[maroondevo52]

Hi, alli28.

Can you not borrow the cash from family or friends, then pay them back.
I know that's easy for me to say, but that's what I'd do in the same situation.

Regards.

Scott.

[alli28]

i have borrowed quite an amount from family to get by the last 6 weeks until my income support etc was sorted out and have only just paid it back so id feel terrible asking again. i also have rent arrears with my housing association and they are taking me to court for eviction but i only have arrears because my housing benefit is still not sorted out which is another huge burden i have. applying for all jobs that i see because its the only way to sort my situation so which is why i was hoping bh would be understanding (but their not)..im also a bit of a quiet person and im easily bullied by people like bh im just wondering if i should stand up to them more..thanks for the advice though i do appreciate it

[maroondevo52]

Hang in there, and do what you have to do. I know what you mean about asking the family, I've done it myself and felt awful when I only just managed to pay them back the week before.

I hope you get something sorted, soon.

Regards.

Scott.

[morrigan54]

Hi Alli28

I've been through all this with Brighthouse and my friend is also at the moment, given no choice having to apply for benefits.
Stay strong Alli because your kids need you and Brighthouse aint worth it hun. It will sort itself out one way or the other. You'll get lots of advice off here, I don't know what I'd have done without this forum!

[Lefty]

Hi alli28

First and formost - stop worrying. Regardless of what Brighthouse try to tell you, what you owe them is NOT a priority debt. The roof about your head, heat, light and food IS!!!

Have you read through my Brighthouse factsheet? If not, you'll find it HERE. Most of your questions will be answered in it.

From what it sounds like to me, you are considerably further than half way through your agreements. Brighthouse absolutely CANNOT forcibly enter your home and repossess their goods. In fact, if you have just paid more than one third of the total agreement amounts they will need a court order - and even then they still cannot forcibly enter your home.

If you have optional service cover, and you are in arrears, the service cover has lapsed so don't continue paying for it. Even better, follow the advice in the factsheet and remove it altogether.

All the time you are in arrears you will be penalised with late charges. So, dependant upon your circumstances (and current credit status) it may be a good idea and call their bluff and let them apply for a court order to reposses. By doing this, you will force their hand and the account will have to be frozen. Believe me, Brighthouse very very VERY rarely go to court for anything - because if they do they will have to disclose the amounts you have already paid - which, as you know, will probably be staggering!!!

A court will have the power to force Brighthouse to accept a reasonable payment plan to reduce your arrears - and NOT penalise you for it.

Don't be bullied. Don't be intimidated. Only communicate in writing.


Please keep us informed as how it all goes. Remember, we're here to help.



Cheers
Lefty

[alli28]

update 4 brightouse,, they said they would be fair and allow another week 4 me to pay which will be £336 next week or they will come uplift the stuff but i wont let them take it i am going to offer them a weeks payment nextweek plus maybe 20 towards my arrears but if they turn me down then i will call their bluff and see if they want to go down that road. i have an appointment with a lawyer next week to get his legal opinion on it..thanks for all the advice really appreciate it

[Lefty]

Thanks for the update.

Keep us posted.



Cheers
Lefty

[morrigan54]

Good luck Ali, hope everything works out ok! Fingers crossed for you and take no messing.

[alli28]

update, brighthouse have issued me with a default notice what now

[Lefty]

Gimme a 30 mins or so, and I'll sort you a letter out.

Lefty

[Lefty]

Here ya go...

Send this by recorded delivery to Brighthouse head office, and copy to your local store.

Insist any reply is IN WRITING and refuse to discuss the matter over the phone...




Account(s) number(s) XXXXXXXXX

Dear Sirs

I am currently experiencing some financial difficulties and, as a result, have fallen behind with my weekly payments to Brighthouse.

I am receipt of a default notice for £XXXX

I do not wish to return the goods voluntarily, and as I cannot afford to pay this amount in one instalment, I would like to offer the sum of £20 per week on top of my regular weekly payment of £XX to clear my arrears over the next XX weeks. This payment plan can start immediately.

I have made this proposal (and made an offer of payment) at my local store, but my payment was refused. I was told that Brighthouse will not/cannot accept “part payments”. This “policy” only places my account(s) further into arrears and invokes further penalty charges. I find this both immoral, unfair and in direct contravention to OFT guidelines regarding the collection of debt:

Physical/psychological harassment
2.5 Putting pressure on debtors or third parties is considered to be oppressive.
2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

f. pressurising debtors to pay in full, in unreasonably large instalments, or to increase payments when they are unable to do so
g. making threatening statements or gestures or taking actions which suggest harm to debtors

Naturally, I hope you will accept my offer (above) and allow me time to bring my account(s) up to date in both a fair and affordable way. Of course, by accepting my offer, and by me maintaining regular payments (on time) you agree NOT to apply any further “penalty” or “late payment” charges to my account(s).

Please confirm in writing your acceptance or refusal of my offer in order for me to make the necessary payment arrangements, or to prepare for my defence in the County Court as appropriate.


Kindest Regards

YOU

cc - Brighthouse local store
Your local Trading Standards (this never hurts)




Keep us posted!

Cheers
Lefty

[sandro12]

i have ben with bright house for just over a yr and have nothing but hell from them i am also currantly talking to my solicitor as they have disclosed personall infrmation about my account to my referees such as how much im in debt by,and how many weeks i have also had them banging on my door threatining me and even called the hospital when my appendix burst to see if i was there.they have threatend with the police and to come in my home whilst im not there to take my goods.bearing this in mind i only didnt pay them after waitng 3 months for them to fix my sofa.does anyone know if this against the law in someway or another i.e the data protection act/harrasment act??

[morrigan54]

Hi Sandro

Typical of this company! My Dad was on a life support machine and they harrassed me so nothing surprises me with the MC GANGSTA BRIGHTHOUSE CREW-(the accounts manager I deal with at my store is about 4 ft 3 so he can only wish lol) They're bang out of order ringing the hospital and bang out of order discussing your personal info to your referee contacts as well, but Sandro, this is so typical of them.
Well as you can see by the many posts on here, you're not on your own.
You'll get some good advice on here so stick around and don't panic too much. Until you get some proper legal advice, don't let them in your house. In fact, I had all this off them last year 'we'll come in your house' and blah blah blah. I welcomed it because they would have been filmed on a nice little CCTV I had tucked away so I welcomed them with open arms.
I can only offer you support as I'm not well up on the legal stuff but others on here are. You've done right by making the first steps going to see your solicitor so you're on the right road.
As worrying as it is for you, don't let them get you down, they're really not worth the hassle and the agro, they'll back down somewhere along the line. Take care x