First of all, WRITE to B & S (hmm....B S, what else could that stand for?). Telephone calls are easily denied. There are plently of template letters on here: see the other thread I mentioned. Make sure all contact with them is in writing. Contact the council and tell them the bailiffs have been threatening you with illegal actions and see if they will take the debt back. If you are on certain benefits, they should take it back as you are in a vulnerable group. You can also pay the council direct as they are not allowed to refuse payments.

I have no doubt that you have seen it being done during your training BUT that does not make it legal. We all know that the majority of bailiffs are predisposed to illegal activities (see my quote from CAB!) The debtor in your case was most likely not aware of his/her rights or the legalities (or otherwise) of the actions taken by your firm.

No, I have not ever worked for bailiffs (my morals would preclude this). If you read this thread, you will see that the opinion seems to agree that a bailiff cannot take cars on HP (including a post by TT): http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/bailiffs-sheriff-officers/147978-levy-hp-car-can.html

I fail to see that such an arrangement could be legal. The vehicle belongs to the finance company, not the debtor, irrespective of how much is outstanding on the HP agreement. I imagine finance companies would be very reluctant to hand their property over to a bailiff unless there is not much left outstanding on the HP agreement because the debtor would be within his rights to stop paying them. Even then, I would like to see a clause in any car finance agreement which legally permits the finance company to take such action.

Just to add, I am aware the onus is on the debtor to prove to the bailiff that the vehicle is not his. (And that a personal loan for the car is not the same as HP) From the bailiffadviceonline website (their highlights)

Um, no I don't think so! A bailiff may remove the car, but this would be illegal. The simple fact is that a car on finance does not belong to you, it belongs to the finance company. The law says bailiffs cannot levy goods which do not belong to the debtor. Under what circumstances do you consider it would be legal for a bailiff to remove a car on finance? Here's an interesting bit of research from the CAB which shows why your "profession" is so hated:

Excellent. Do not let them in under any circumstances and do not sign anything. They cannot take your car as it is on finance! Still leaves Q 3 and 4

5. Is the car on finance?

You can type the URL here, just use the format xxtp//:w ww.photobucket.com/yourpics.html or similar and we should be able to get to it.

It is supposed to be 21 days. Puzzling that Lambeth have a PO Box address in Worthing?

Yes, very much so. The Boots site looks just like Boots too. Its not until you look for the small print that you find it is actually DRL trading on other companies good names. I believe Sainsbury etc get a commission from each sale for allowing use of their name. After all, I wouldn't be too keen to buy from a website called DRL (having never heard of them before!) This practice happens a lot with big names online. For example DVD rental: Lovefilm run at least 7 other sites including Tesco DVD rentals (though to be fair, the other sites do display a small "powered by Lovefilm" logo on the frontpage) Same thing with insurance: Tesco car insurance is really Direct Line re-branded. Tesco Mobile is really O2 re-branded and the list goes on. Personally, I really don't like this. Its very deceptive behaviour by these companies and gives consumers the illusion that they are getting choice and value from trusted big names when thats not the truth at all.

Sainsburys Appliances Online is not run by Sainsburys, it is run by DRL using Sainsbury's name (a fact that the OP may not have been aware of). DRL run several websites with other big names such as Boots Appliances Online, all in the same format. I suspect that the OP has telephoned DRL customer services if using the telephone number on the website. Sainsbury's have no obligation to the OP, but as slick says it is worth writing to them too as they have their reputation to consider.

Agreed, but shouldn't the OP be writing to DRL, not Sainsburys as the contract is with DRL: DRL Limited, Aspinall House, Middlebrook, Bolton. BL6 6QQ

Also of note is that you have not, in fact, purchased from Sainsburys at all! You have bought from a company called DRL Limited who run several cloned websites for various big names, all of which laughably state: "It is your responsibility to check the appliance before signing for the goods. We cannot accept liability for goods damaged after delivery if signed for in perfect condition." - absolute tosh!

A quick Google shows this mattress retailing at £240, so they are offering you nearly 2/3 off the price. A bargain methinks.

That bailiff would have been on very dodgy ground. I believe he would still be classed as breaking in. The law allows peaceful entry through an open/unlocked window, not a broken one. Would be a shame if said bailiff were to cut himself on the broken glass!

How very nice of them I suppose this is buried in the small print somewhere as I don't remember reading this when I had my redirect several years ago?

Well done you. The cynic in me says TSM have only refunded you because the Sun got involved and if they don't comply, the Sun won't let them advertise any more. It will probably take loads of complaints to the Sun before they refuse to carry their ads..

You mentioned "pub car park". Is your ticket issued by the council, or a private parking co?

NO. This does not constitute entry and you have done the right thing by not letting the bailiff in. Do not let him in under any circumstances. You are also correct in refusing to sign the walking possession agreement (which is invalid in this case anyway, as no entry)

Londonist: The Day The Clamping Stopped Don't know if there are any other threads on this, but as of yesterday, Westminster Council have stopped clamping and towing cars and will turn thier car pound into a car park! Other councils are expected to follow their lead...

Yes, but remember some PPCs have been known to quote "Railway Bylaws" even when they don't apply to a particular car park.

As for evidence, I believe that most prosecutions rely on the evidence of civil enforcement officers i.e litter wardens. Also by PCSOs. This appears to be gained by interview under caution (on the spot). I'm not condoning littering, but it is amazing how money can be found to track down and prosecute someone who dares drop a sweet wrapper, yet we seem unable to catch knife wielding thugs, burglars, muggers etc....

There you go: 87 Offence of leaving litter (1) If any person throws down, drops or otherwise deposits in, into or from any place to which this section applies, and leaves, any thing whatsoever in such circumstances as to cause, or contribute to, or tend to lead to, the defacement by litter of any place to which this section applies, he shall, subject to subsection (2) below, be guilty of an offence. (2) No offence is committed under this section where the depositing and leaving of the thing was— (a) authorised by law, or (b) done with the consent of the owner, occupier or other person or authority having control of the place in or into which that thing was deposited. (3) This section applies to any public open place and, in so far as the place is not a public open place, also to the following places— (a) any relevant highway or relevant road and any trunk road which is a special road; (b) any place on relevant land of a principal litter authority; © any place on relevant Crown land; (d) any place on relevant land of any designated statutory undertaker; (e) any place on relevant land of any designated educational institution; (f) any place on relevant land within a litter control area of a local authority. (4) In this section “public open place” means a place in the open air to which the public are entitled or permitted to have access without payment; and any covered place open to the air on at least one side and available for public use shall be treated as a public open place. (5) A person who is guilty of an offence under this section shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding level 4 on the standard scale. (6) A local authority, with a view to promoting the abatement of litter, may take such steps as the authority think appropriate for making the effect of subsection (5) above known to the public in their area. (7) In any proceedings in Scotland for an offence under this section it shall be lawful to convict the accused on the evidence of one witness.

Maybe not in theory, but it is all too easy to accidently, or absent-mindedly transgress some of the trivial laws out there.