Charged £100 for an induction meeting!

[MaseCTID]

Hi all,

I was studying at UCLan in Preston for two years.
I then found out that a new Foundation course was being ran, starting September 2007.
I didn't even apply for the course but managed to talk my way to an interview.
Cutting a long story short, I got accepted on to the course and on Monday 17th September (freshers week I believe) I attended an induction meeting, not only for my course but for the whole faculty. This included over 6 different courses basically being introduced to the staff. The meeting lasted all of 45 minutes at most.
Then on the next day Tuesday 18th September I received a letter from my LEA to inform me that because I had studied 2 previous years at the university they wouldn't be helping with my tuition fees, meaning I would have to pay £3000 myself. With already £8000+ debt from student loans I decided I wouldn't be able to start the course. I called the course leader that same day to inform him and he accepted my decision. I also asked at the time if I would have to pay any tution fees and he said that I wouldn't.
During December, 3 months later, I received an invoice from the Uni informing me that I owe £99.03 in tution fees.
I have since wrote 2 separate letters to different people at the Uni appealing the tution fees, as I never actually received any tution as the course officially started the week after I withdrew.
I received letters back from the Uni stating I'm still accountable for the fees as they charge on a weekly basis. (even though I was there for half a day)

Has any one got any advice on what I can do next?
I was told that the "debt" would get passed on to a balif agency who would add costs on as well

Many thanks.

[louis wu]

Hello Mase,

sorry your post hasn't been answered. I will have a stab, I'm sure others will join in and correct anything I get wrong.

Did you ever recieve any correspondance explaining that the induction would cost you £99.03 if you failed to take a position? Does it state anywhere that you would be responsible for any fees rounded up to a full week)? You should get all your documents together, file them in order, and have a good read.

I would write again, explaining that you will contest the amount owed, and ask for any documents that they would rely upon in court (hopefully that will show your commited to defending this). As to the threat of a bailiff company, don't worry about that. Only a judge with a court order can authorize a bailiff to enter your home. It's much more likely that they would pass it to a debt Collection Ageny DCA, who will say and do anything to get you to pay. If, however, you are engaged in active dialogue with the UNI, then that should not happen until you reach a deadlock.

keep everything in writing, and keep everything filed.

Best of luck

louis

[JOSH_IOU]

Is there a break down on what the whole tuition amount costs. (ie the whole course)?

If there able to bill you for £90+ then there would either be a clause in the contract which may be unfair. Or there may be a break down of costs. Now if there is neither it sounds like the invoice is not binding and its unfair. (The Unfair Terms in Consumer Contracts Regulations act 1994 may apply)