Wind up merchant alarm is ringing loudly in this thread !!

Yet AGAIN, after a number of people have helped out we have yet to receive an update. It really cheeses me off and I didn't have any input! I hope for everyones sake, the OP updates after all the support he received, it is the least he can do.

I hope unlike many other threads on here we get an update.

With the pace of progress so far, I fully expect this thread to be a 75 page epic !!

subbing!

Hello folks, I applied for a lease on a retail premises through a well known commercial agent. I was asked to provide names of references. I was asked for a cheque for £47 administration fees and a cheque for £8 for a bank reference. Timeline so far... Friday 4 Jan 2008 Had viewing of shop Monday 7 January Confirmed interest via telephone Friday 11 Jan Received forms from agent Wednesday 16 Jan Sent cheques and reference forms back Wednesday 23 Jan Got acknowledgement from agent that all references satisfactory. Cheques cashed Story moves on to me calling them every week asking for news as I had finance waiting for this particular shop and business plans prepared etc. Agent is difficult to get hold of and when I do she tells me that the landlord of the property lives abroad and she was having difficulty getting hold of him. After another couple of weeks I ring again and ask for assurances that I am with a good shout of getting accepted for the lease. I am told at this point that there is another interested party but I would be favoured because the other party was wanting to change its use to A5 hot food take away. I was also informed that there was a problem with some stairs going to the upper floors of the property and these had to be sorted out. Fobbed off for another 4 weeks with me doing all the calling until a bombshell drops on the doormat saying that solicitors have been instructed on behalf of another party. Nothing strange so far?? Timeline updated Wednesday 25 January 2008 - Cheques cashed by Agent. Wednesday 25 January2008 to Friday 7 March, Fobbed off with multiple excuses about different problems delaying things. Tuesday 11 March - Got letter informing me that I was unsuccessful. Yeah a bit annoying but expected? Read on... Went online today to make a planning application to run a business in a new build unit. I noticed a planning archive section. Out of curiosity I typed in the address of the unit I had been disappointed on... It turns out that a planning application had been submitted to the council in November 2007 to change the shops use. A representitive from the agent signed the planning application form on 2 Jan 2008 to give consent on behalf of the property owner to change its use. Remember my cheques had been cashed on the 25 January by the agent? I was then given excuse after excuse why I had not yet been oficially accepted to have the lease on the shop. Remember I got a letter on 11 March saying I was unsuccessful? The planning decision was made in favour of the proposed change on the 10 March Coincidence? you be the judge... Now, £47 quid is not the issue here. I had been promised that I would be accepted ahead of the other party that was only declared when I asked the direct question of wether there were any other interested parties involved. So I racked up costs preparing business plans, days off work to go and measure up this premises and phone calls etc to the agent. Reclaiming my costs are not the main motive here. I am so angry that I was kept waiting all that time by the agent when they knew that another party had submitted a planning application to the City council. Then they took my money and as soon as the decision was granted told me that I could not have the lease. Is this legal? Have they committed an offence? Have they defrauded me and god knows how many more people out of money this way? The TO LET sign is still up on the shop. Wonder if they would accept another 47 quid from some foolish mug? I am not going to let them get away with this. Advice/next step anyone? Thanks for reading this and I hope you feel as angry about this as me. Regards

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I can smell something....................

Grabs popcorn and prepares for a long thread..

you have to weigh up which you would prefer? Months of correspondence and worry or for a piffling £148 paying them and damning their impudence.. I know which one I would choose Although I would send it direct to Next and cut out the monkeys at the DCA.

I am not doubting that they may not have followed procedure and I am no DCA or Troll. Fact is, he is avoiding a financial responsibility no matter how many technicalities there are. No more from me on the subject. That's all.

Is that why you are baring your soul on an internet forum pleading for help? Aren't you a touchy one?! As you are so keen for the low down on Lowells: they wrote to me trying to get a 'debt' from 11 years ago repaid. Unfortunately for them they had the wrong person. I ALWAYS settle my debts. That's all..

And one more thing, your constant arrogant attitude and use of guttural language towards these DCA's and your original creditor is perhaps the reason why the forum 'big guns' are not falling over themselves to rush to your aid. Re-read the entire thread and evaluate your comments. You don't really have a moral leg to stand on. Fin. PS, And no I dont rip people off, I am a well respected businessman in my community with ties to several 'charitable causes'

so a legal loophole is enough to wriggle your way out of what is right? the retort above really does sum up your pathetic outlook. Would you applaud a child rapist for beating the legal system on a technicality? I will answer for you. No you would not. I suggest you acquire a more mature outlook on your responsibilities.

I joined these forums to look at how people have dealt with DCA's after a minor altercation with Lowells. Now, I have read a lot of threads and generally, many people have a case to avoid paying debts (statutue barred being an example) I am going to get a barrage of abuse here and if it makes you feel better so be it. YOU took their money, YOU spent it on god knows what. YOU are clearly avoiding paying your way. And guess what. I have an Argos card and knew the score when I took it out. I make a payment evry month because I have spent their money. This is as clear a case of abuse of this forum as one is likely to find. Tell me to get stuffed. I dont care. I will leave you with a quote from NP 'It`ll also let them know that I`m no soft s**t who is going to give in to bully tactics and intimidation techniques' How dare they ask for their money back? Tut tut.. (Waits for the technical loophole arguments) I run my own business and a few people like you would put me out of business. Yes they are a big company and aren't going to miss 3 grand. But it puts the interest rates up for us Argos card holders who DO pay their way. Rant over.

If you are going to resort to plagiarism for your gags at least get the source correct...

Good of you to reply. You are clearly a man of principles and I for one would not like to take you on based on you having an answer for everything and retorting with another set of queries which take a scientist to understand !!! If only judges etc followed the letter of the law. I have my own experience of judges through the family courts (And won) but my faith in the judge was severely dented when he let my ex get away with blatant perjury in the witness box when exposed as a liar to the social services. How he didnt have her for contempt I will never know. I wish you all the very best and please keep us updated !! Regards Swis

I can't believe I have spent 3 hours wading through this thread. From a neutral standpoint I have to say this: Reading the correspondence between seahorse and cabot you may once have had a case. Any right thinking judge will have seen you first admit owing the money and then trying to wriggle out of it using questionable tactics. For this reason I would place £50 on Cabot winning the case. Sorry if this offends seahorse et al but sometimes one should stand back and review things with a neutral head on. Good luck though... ;-)

Thats the thing. anonymity. Do you know who I am? No, and you are not likely to find out either ! Trust me, I know the rules

I have been a mystery shopper for nearly 2 years now and I regularly do assignments in many of the major high street multiples. I am given a brief of what to record and what service I should get. I have to say that the service level almost always falls below the companies own rules for their employees to follow. I would love to say which store provides easily the worst service I receive-frequently but I am sure it would not be allowed on here. Doing this really has opened my eyes to the level of service we should all receive !!

I thank you both. I cannot believe they have the cohonas to STILL chase an alleged debt even after admitting it is statute barred... Incredible Thanks once again.

Sorry if this is Groundhog day for people but I have recently had a letter from Clownells blah blah, the alleged debt is from 1999-2000 and hence statute barred. Because of the persistent nature of clownells, I presume I would skip the request for a CCA as it was a bank account. am I correct? I will doff my hat for the first person to confirm my thinking. Many thanks

Sorry...Couldnt resist I would have a word with the old dear to ask the caller (Johnny) to leave a card etc.. These people really do know no boundaries.

:eek: