Hi, I took out a contract with Virgin mobile via Express mobiles in July 2007. I sent the bills after 3 months but never received a cheque. I spoke to trading standards today who advised me to call the Official Receiver's office as the company went into liquidisation in July 2007. The official receiver's office said that there was nothing I can do to get my money back as the company no longer exists. Also the only way to end my contract with virgin is to buy my way out. Does anyone know if there is any truth in any of this? Thanks.

Thanks for that. Unfortunately I don't understand all of it but I think that would be relevant if I was still bankrupt. I was discharged in February 2006 so as far as I understand things, I don't actually owe anyone any money now. So if I no longer owe them anything how can they offset my claim agiainst it? Thanks again, Kirsty.

Can anyone help with this...please?!

Hi Everyone, I've not been on here for a while as I was given a court date of the 12th of June so I've just been waiting (and waiting and waiting). Yesterday I received a letter from DG Solicitors and I need some advice. I declared myself bankrupt in 2005 at which point I owed HSBC around £2,700. The debt was written off so no longer exists. The letter says: "On 19th August 2005 Metropolitan Collection Services were informed that you had been adjudged bankrupt on 13th July 2005.........The outstanding balance of £2,742.62 was therefore written off as a bed debt. Our client is prepared to refund the full value of your claim in the sum of £697.25 on the basis that this is offset against the bad debt owed to our client. It is only fair that the charges are applied to the account from where they originated which will put the account in the position it would have been had the charges not been applied. Our client is exercising it's legal right of set off." Can anyone tell me whether or not they can do this? If I don't send back the form they are asking me to sign, can they actually go to court and fight to have it offset against a debt that no longer exists?? Many thanks in advance.

Thanks Lee. I've tipped your scales.

Hi again everyone. My claim was acknowledged on 07/02/07. I can't remember how long they have to enter their defence, is it 28 days? Thanks.

The area manager phoned me before I had even called the branch to complain. He phoned because I had left a bad review about them on another website and he read it! He wanted me to change or delete the review. I had written the review the day after the M.O.T, before the whole head gasket episode began. When he asked me to change the review, I told him about the head gasket having failed two days after the M.O.T. He started going on about how common the problem is with Rovers blah blah blah until I said I had the car booked in for an independent report by another mechanic who has 15 years experience with Rovers, that shut him up lol! He told me to call him once the report was done. To cut a long story short (well shorter anyway) I called him back, he then called the mechanic who had done the report to verify what I had said. A day or so later he called back to say that they would repair the car.

Hi gbjadyy, The Area Manager agreed to repair the car. Now why would he do that if it wasn't their fault in the first place? I understand what you're saying about targets, but if a Manager can't sleep at night because of pressure, then don't you think he's in the wrong job?! Besides, the Manager at the branch I went to had a stinking attitude anyway!

Excellent news, thanks!

What about claims under £1500?

I've not logged on for a while but I've finally got the money together to do my MCOL (better late than never!) It was issued on 31/01 and acknowledged today. I've read a few threads and gather that a lot of people are having to do allocation questionaires and there is a charge for this, does anyone know how much it costs? Thanks.

oh great!! thanks for you help.

Hi all, My MCOL has been issued today agaist HSBC. Does anyone know how long it is likely to be before they pay up? Thanks.

That's a standard letter. Just continue with the next letter once the 14 days have passed.

I've looked at the ones in vamps chamber.

Next question......I've looked at a couple of spreadsheets and can't quite figure out how to use it. Where it says 'interest rate' do I put 16.6 or is it something else??

complain to vosa

Thanks bong. Do I just multiply the amount I'm claiming by 16.6%? I used the spreadsheet for the last claim I did but that only works if you claim the s69 8%.

Submit MCOL once the deadline arrives. You gave them 14 days to give you a satifactory response, it's their fault if they let the deadline come and go.

Hi everyone, I've been reading about claiming the contractual interest rate. Is it the same percentage for all HSBC customers? If so, does anyone happen to know what it is? Thanks.

Thanks Gary.

Can anyone help with my last question?? I really don't know what to do about this (if anything).

Sorry In debted we seem to have taken over your thread!

So how do you find out what a banks rate is? I have a claim against HSBC and would LOVE to claim extra interest!

Rog, mine was paid the day after they acknowledged the claim!!