Buchanan Clark & Wells

[zander]

I've just been informed by Scottish Power that they have passed an outstanding sum to BC&W. I had an arrangement with S Power to pay £30 per month against a gas bill dating back 6 years. Due to their inability to provide me with a bill despite numerous letters & calls, once the amount was eventually agreed, I told them I was not paying in full hence the monthly figure. I completely forgot to make 2 months payments and called SP to catch up whereby they informed me it was passed to BC&W. Spoke with someone @ BC&W (no correspondence received from them) who said it was escalating to the sherrif court for full payment and that they can call it in within 24hrs??!. Anyone out there able to advise? Also recived a text message today to call them on a premium number yet still no communication?

[Pinky69]

Calling them names doesn't resolve the problem - it's advice on what to do the poster is looking for. BC&W may be bluffing to get you to pay but if it does go to the Sheriff Court you will receive a notice to give your income and expenditure and make proposals to pay. You can tell the court at that time that you dispute the full amount. What you have been paying will be acceptable to the court and they can make a decision on what the correct payment should be. Golden Rule - don't call BC&W or speak to them on the phone - everything in writing so you have proof. Also, they will just bully you into paying more than you can afford. If they do call, hang up or lay the receiver down and let them run up their phone bill. If they start to call persistently, there is a template letter you can use for telephine harrassment.

[UnmoderatetheNet]

Hi I could do Mastermind on BCW as my specialist subject.

They are by far the worst in scotland for bull and lies, this is really saying something when you consider this is the home to scott & co.

That said the sheriff is something they can do in scotland but it would have to be fairly well progressed for this to happen. If you are making payments there is no way they would get far with this approach.

BCW are scot powers chief monkeys and the tactics they use are scary letters, more scary letters and a few more for good measure.

I've been annoying them (and I might add quite successfully) for the past few months and have now to date received 36 letters in a 4 month period, (excessive, well the FOS thinks so) regarding a scot power debt and yes FOS are aware.

I am happy to post BCW COMPLAINTS PROCEDURE if rules allow this.

I agree with the comment below 'they bully into paying more either by letter in my case or by phone in others'

The trick to deal with these fools is make a payment you can afford send off a harrasment letter and report to FOS and tell them that is what you are doing.

[spamheed]

If you bark really loudly at them, then they run away. One phone call and they gave up, I was gutted

[UnmoderatetheNet]

Although I have the greatest respect for anyone with 1000+ posts this is rubbish.

What is the UNBREAKABLE rule……

….NEVER RING THEM. EVER

If you want further prove, read on. Okay I admit it I rang them once, what can I say I was bored. Here is a transcript of the call:

Me: My name is blah, blah

BCW: Have you phoned to make a payment?

Me: Why would I want to do that?

BCW: Your account is in arrears?

Me: Not according to my bank statements and the agreement letter you reluctantly sent because I refused to give in to your persistent threats.

BCW: (silence)

Me: What are your bank details I am tired of paying by cheque, I want to set up a standing order.

BCW: Give me your bank details and we will arrange this for you.

Me: This must be bad line because you obviously didn’t hear me properly.

(repeated question)

BCW: Its better if we take your details.

Me: Better for who? So it’s not my hearing, you really do think I’m stupid enough to give you my bank details.

(BCW hung up)

(Called back and repeated request)

Me: I’m a little disappointed by your level of customer service one of your colleagues just hung up on me, your not going to do that are you?

(Silence)

Me: I’ll take that as a no.

Me: All I need is your bank details so I can set up a standing order, I’ve written three times to request this without a response other than to call you, so I thought I’d try that.

BCW: We could set up a Direct debit its much easier. Are you looking to increase your payments?

Me: Did you hear the words coming out of my mouth? Do you think I rang you to listen to own voice, I want to set up a standing order, that’s all, not to discuss an agreement I have in place, not to increase payments or listen to some commission monkey trying to get more cash out of me.

Me: So can I now take bank details. Please

Me: Hello…..are you still there?

(Third attempt)

Me: Hello etc, etc.

Me: Can you send me details of how I set up a standing order, please

BCW: We would be happy to arrange this for you but first can we look at discussing your payments.

Me: (hang up)

So the lesson here is don’t ring them it achieves nothing and only frustrates.