Advent Computer Training (Barclays Partner Finance)Info and discussion thread

[Fuzzbutt]

hi all i got a reply from the F.O today, it reads as follows.

" Thank you for sending us details of your complaint.

It would appear that Clydesdale Financial Services LTD have not issued

there final response on your complaint even though they have had the

required eight weeks in which to do so.

It may be possible for them to issue their final response shortly;we have

therefore contacted Clydesdale Financial Services LTD and requested that

they issue their final response letter within the next 14 days.

We will contact you again upon receipt of the final response from Clydesdale

Financial Services LTD or when the 14 day time limit has expired.

 

Does this mean there on my side and barclays just F%£@ed up ?

 

No, it means BPF are stalling in replying to your adjudicator. Mine sent me a similar letter and is still trying to get some final reply from Barclays.

[Fuzzbutt]

Fuzzbutt, i pretty much said that to BPF in my dispute [ not those exact words] Hence the reply i got [ which you have read]

So i suggest people get that over in their dispute letter.I think that point is at least making BPF slightly question their own misguided thinking.

 

Exactly, Lowdown.

I reckon BPF are twisting up their panties now in a panic. I put a few guidelines on our website on the like-for like issues but everyone inquiring now to get a course breakdown needs to insist CT put it in writing.

[Fuzzbutt]

Reported the ex barclays employee letter to the FSA and had a phone call from the FSA today - they are going to investigate which can result in big fat fine for Barclays.

Also sent the story to the Mirror, have spoken to them and they should hopefully be running the story as long as the legalailty around it is ok.

 

Good, was that Nick Sommerlad at the Mirror, Casper, by any chance? He's talked at length to our lawyer I understand.

[Fuzzbutt]

I have received a response from the FOS saying that they are "unable to recommend that my complaint should be upheld". They say there is no debtor-creditor-supplier agreement in place, because although I am the debtor in this agreement, as the party liable for the agreement, in order to make a claim under Section 75 I also need to be attending the course that I was funding. The course was being attended by my partner, and not me. Therefore I don't have a direct relationship with both the creditor and the supplier. Therefore they're not upholding my complaint.

 

Sorry to hear that, Penny. That bodes ill for all those in the guarantor/sponsor situation. Would you be able to contact our Hauseld lawyer and let her have a copy of that FOS letter where they've turned you down?

 

As I gather, it can depend on where the signator signed. Our lawyer gave me this comment for the website (but I don't fully understand how the law would or wouldn't apply - hoping I'll get some more info soon)....

 

"Technically we argue they are covered by S75 but we can see that in some cases the parents have signed up as the ‘debtor’ for their children who are the actual students, and not the guarantor, even though that may have been their intention. In those situations it will be difficult to get them covered under sect 75."

[JuiceyBuns]

Sorry to hear that, Penny. That bodes ill for all those in the guarantor/sponsor situation. Would you be able to contact our Hauseld lawyer and let her have a copy of that FOS letter where they've turned you down?

 

As I gather, it can depend on where the signator signed. Our lawyer gave me this comment for the website (but I don't fully understand how the law would or wouldn't apply - hoping I'll get some more info soon)....

 

"Technically we argue they are covered by S75 but we can see that in some cases the parents have signed up as the ‘debtor’ for their children who are the actual students, and not the guarantor, even though that may have been their intention. In those situations it will be difficult to get them covered under sect 75."

 

This might be a long shot, but I and I assume many others were asked by advent to sign up as a guarantor for the students loan. However the load advent arranged between with BPF was a loan with me as the debtor and not a loan with me as the guarantor. So I have been miss-sold this loan, can this hold any weight? Fuzz can you ask Hausfield?

[Fuzzbutt]

This might be a long shot, but I and I assume many others were asked by advent to sign up as a guarantor for the students loan. However the load advent arranged between with BPF was a loan with me as the debtor and not a loan with me as the guarantor. So I have been miss-sold this loan, can this hold any weight? Fuzz can you ask Hausfield?

 

Good point Juiceybuns - I'll pass that on.

 

Added as an afterthougt....

Not much useful came up in a google search, but a thought occurred to me that these linked loans weren't arranged directly with a BPF bank representative, but via the Avent rep. If people weren't fully informed by the rep what signing up as a debtor, as opposed to a guarantor, meant in legal terms then that was surely definate mis-selling?

Even though the rep told me a credit check would be done, did they explain to those offering to take the loan out on behalf of someone else, exactly what all the implications were in every scenario?

I remember when I approached Alliance and Leicester a few years back (who I bank with) for a small £4,000 loan to cover a house move, they wouldn't agree it without seeing me face to face, pouring over my statements and interviewing me with a finance manager. And that was my own building society!

 

So why were these BPF linked loans handed out like sweets? I would say here is a comeback somewhere, even if not under S75?

Edited July 24, 2010 by Fuzzbutt

[masoud_h]

Hi Fuzzbutt,

Thanks for the reply on my email - I read the website again and I think I have a good case too.

Firstly, I'm a foreign student and I believe advent lied to me from the first day. They said if I sing up with them I’m going to be attended in classes on a regular basis not just a workshop for each book.

Secondly, I think that I have the write to choose my training centre myself not forcing me to sing up with CT.

I just phoned BPF again and I told them that I have received two letter form Mercers even though my account is in a dispute and they said when you refuse to pay you will automatically transfer to them to deal with you!

I told them that need more time and they agreed to hold this my account or any action for 30 days so I can find a solicitor etc.

As my second language is English I think I cannot deal with them myself especially when it comes to writing and reply to their respond regarding my complaint, (right now I have two letter form Mercers and BPF and I have no idea what should I reply to them. I need some help), therefore I think I need a solicitor to act on my behalf.

Please let me know you what is opinion regarding my situation

[Eagle1905]

Hey all. Just a thought if we did lose and had to go with computeach how would they get around the fact that the CompTIA course would no longer be of any use. Reason I say this is because I got a email that told me the CompTIA A+ Essentials and the PC Technicians exams were being retired on the 31/7/2010 and if I did not complete both exams by this time I would have to start studying all over again. If I had to start all over again it would take more time and more costs would occur.

[Fuzzbutt]

Hi Fuzzbutt,

Thanks for the reply on my email - I read the website again and I think I have a good case too.

Firstly, I'm a foreign student and I believe advent lied to me from the first day. They said if I sing up with them I’m going to be attended in classes on a regular basis not just a workshop for each book.

Secondly, I think that I have the write to choose my training centre myself not forcing me to sing up with CT.

I just phoned BPF again and I told them that I have received two letter form Mercers even though my account is in a dispute and they said when you refuse to pay you will automatically transfer to them to deal with you!

I told them that need more time and they agreed to hold this my account or any action for 30 days so I can find a solicitor etc.

As my second language is English I think I cannot deal with them myself especially when it comes to writing and reply to their respond regarding my complaint, (right now I have two letter form Mercers and BPF and I have no idea what should I reply to them. I need some help), therefore I think I need a solicitor to act on my behalf.

Please let me know you what is opinion regarding my situation

 

Masoud, I'd do as we are all doing now. Just reply that you are part of the legal group action with Hausfeld and ask them to check with their head office about the group legal action.

 

Mercers can do nothing to hurt you.

 

Just tell them you are part of the group action.

[lewis2]

Hi all just a thought but surley barcalys stalling for time with the F,O

should go in our favour as they are required to make a final response within 8 weeks?

[maygav]

Hi you Guys,

 

I have not been here for a while again, did I miss anything very important? Will read through the posts as well.

 

I have not heard from BPF for over 2 months now, no letters, no phonecalls. Did this happen to anybody else? Makes me wonder.I will be moving soon, shall I let them know my new address?

[The Maelstrom]

Well my friend (my sponsor) got a final response letter from Barclays a few days ago.

 

This one looks like they may have actually read my letter, even if they seem to have chosen to ignore and gloss over several points and answer several points I never raised

 

Although I did find part of the letter amusing -

 

"Furthermore, pursuant to general contract law principles, you are obliged to take reasonable steps to mitigate any loss that you may suffer as a consequence of Advent's insolvency, and subsequent breach of the Agreement. In circumstances where you have been offered like for like training under the terms of the Agreement, by virtue of Barclays' appointment of Computeach, in the event that you unreasonably refuse to accept the alternative training you will be in breach of your obligation to mitigate your loss"

 

So now are they are saying if I don't take the crap company they're forcing on me, they consider me in breach of contract?

 

I don't know whether my part in the class action will be successful, as I am not the person who signed the credit agreement (although Fuzzbutt's last update did give me a faint glimmer of hope).

 

I really hope those of you who are able to pursue Barclays, tear them a new one and give those arrogant people (I'm keeping it clean) the slap-down they deserve.

[lewis2]

hi all i posted a letter to mercers explaining the situation and when i tracked the delivery on line the post office has the item as there was no one there to sign for the letter,any one else having trouble ?or any advise as to what to do?

[joyhouk]

I send a letter to bpf today saying I'm part of legal action group with hausfeld. Let's see what's happened.

[10pack]

I send a letter to bpf today saying I'm part of legal action group with hausfeld. Let's see what's happened.

 

I sent my letter Special delivery because its the only service that you can track online.. mine shows information not yet available..

 

I expect its because if you look at the postal address its a P.O. box.

So will have to wait for a person from mercers to turn up at the post office and admit he works for them and sign for all the items.

 

I am thinking of resending but this time C/O of BPF in Cardiff since I noted mercers p.o. box is in Glasgow is that not where BPF's old place was??

[joyhouk]

Hello 10pack, I send to Cardiff address with recorded delivery. mercers ringing me everyday, I told them yesterday that i'm with legal group action, today they ring me again but didn't received that. they never listen.

[10pack]

Hello 10pack, I send to Cardiff address with recorded delivery. mercers ringing me everyday, I told them yesterday that i'm with legal group action, today they ring me again but didn't received that. they never listen.

 

I only had Glasgow address's on my letters

 

can you let me have the Cardiff address I will resend them..

 

is it by any chance same as for BPF in Cardiff??

[joyhouk]

CARDIFF ADDRESS

Barclays Partner Finance

PO BOX 2501

Cardiff

CF23 0FP

[10pack]

CARDIFF ADDRESS

Barclays Partner Finance

PO BOX 2501

Cardiff

CF23 0FP

 

was this address on your letters from mercers?

[joyhouk]

This cardiff address from final letter from bpf

 

Mercers address

Mercers Debt collection Ltd

PO BOX 7392

Glasgow

G51 9BX

[10pack]

This cardiff address from final letter from bpf

 

Mercers address

Mercers Debt collection Ltd

PO BOX 7392

Glasgow

G51 9BX

 

its amazing they hide behind a p.o. box when they expect communication from us.

 

I will repost my letter to BPF in Cardiff then mercers can take it into the next room and deliver it to BPF.. maybe they will read my letters then since BF ignored my last letter and phone calls.. they refused to put my account in dispute and instead rachetted it up so I have this now.. but I refuse point blank to be a Computeach student again.

[Clive12345]

Sorry for bring up this nightmare but i have been away and only recently arrived back in the UK. What are the answer to this problem. I have been paying Barclays Partner Student loan off as normal but i can not get support for continuing the course with Computeach, the end date has passed but Advent was still supporting me after the date although i didnt get that in writing, Ooops I have nearly finished the course but would like to push Computeach for there support. We are your experience since Advent went under and what is the best course of action, Thanks Clive

[lowdown]

Sorry for bring up this nightmare but i have been away and only recently arrived back in the UK. What are the answer to this problem. I have been paying Barclays Partner Student loan off as normal but i can not get support for continuing the course with Computeach, the end date has passed but Advent was still supporting me after the date although i didnt get that in writing, Ooops I have nearly finished the course but would like to push Computeach for there support. We are your experience since Advent went under and what is the best course of action, Thanks Clive

 

 

Fuzzbutt might want to speak to you soon - this is a big point and argument at the moment.

[lewis2]

Has any one noticed that the number mercers call us from and the number they tell us to call them on are different? i get calls on a sunday asking me to ring them it then says there opening hours to contact them and guess what ...thy're closed on a sunday!

[dron]

Masoud, I'd do as we are all doing now. Just reply that you are part of the legal group action with Hausfeld and ask them to check with their head office about the group legal action.

 

Mercers can do nothing to hurt you.

 

Just tell them you are part of the group action.

 

 

Dear Steph Minns (Fuzzbutt)

 

If I join to your legal group with Hausfield I have to sign both the Data Protection Form and the Form for Action. In the Form for Action I have to acknowledge I am authorising Hausfeld & Co. LLP to act as solicitor on your behalf. Do I have to pay for this service ? How much is that?

 

Can you give more information about it.

 

Thank you

 

Dron