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

[SajstarHero]

Yeah they did guarantee me a job upon completion and help me to get it once I have gotten 8 months into the coarse, so I will be learning and working in the the IT industry at the same time. :S I have yet to get the first qualification a year down the line. If Barclay's offer a new IT provider they better get one that offers a job. I don't mind about anything else but I want work experience. Experience is what counts, no matter what a piece of paper says you can do.

[Babado]

Hello Everyone,

 

I am from Manchester, I have just managed to locate this thread about Advent and Barclays Patner Finance, it quite refreshing to see am not the only one in this mess, I signed on with Advent in April 09 to do Microsoft CDS course, Advent themself arranged the loan through Barclays Patner Finance for me. i was gutted when I received an email from Advent that they are going under, i just couldnt believe it. i went it to panic mode as to what am going to do with the loan and what my rights are. After ringing around for advise, I was told to study the agreement paperwork, Evenually I studied the loan agreement carefully and my contract paperwork with Advent. I found out from there that, my contract with Advent is terminated with immediate effect following receipt of their insolvency notice to me (clause 10.1.1 of student contract) and also I have a right to sue Barclays Partner Finance as well under Consumer Credit Acts 74, as the contract has not been fulfulled due to Advent insolvency.

 

I immediate ring Barclays Partner Finance and asked them what are they going to do about this messy situation, their answer was that, they are in a process of finding another IT Training Provider and they will suspend my loan payment until such time that a new provider is found, and I should wait until such time, which they cannot tell me how long this could take. I refer this to a legal advisor, who told me that because Barclays is jointly responsible with course they are under obligation under the Consumer Credit Act to try to fulfill the contract, which I believe that is what they are trying to do by looking for another Provider.

 

My problem with Barclays finding another IT provider is that, this is matter of personal choice, I looked for Advent myself the only time I heard of Barclays is after I had been accepted for the course, so who is Barclays now to now be finding me another IT Training provider, their expertise is to provide funding, what do they know about IT? I read from Advent website that it was Barclays's fault that forced them into insolvency because Barclays did not release funding to them and infact Barclays is pulling out of IT Training sector altogether, who is lying? if Barclays is pulling out how come they are still wanting to look for another IT Provider? It just does not make any sense, and if indeed Barclays did have hand in Advent going down which will be very hard to proof because you dont really know who to believe anymore, whether Advent is trying to make us believe it was not their fault or Barclays is just playing stupid.

 

In any case, my advice to everyone is to hold out for money back for breach of contract, Barclays can do all it like to fulfill the contract but that is to late now, I will continue to do course on my own and finish it but am not going to be forced on to another crappy IT provider, my point of view my contract with Advent terminated due to them going under, hence rendring my obligation for continue to pay the loan meaningless, as a matter of facts, We will all have to sign a brand new contract with the new IT Provider as in when Barclays decides to let us know becuase Advent contact is terminated. I am certainly will not be signing anything, I will fight to the last breath i have to get my £800 i had paid back for non fulfullment of contract.

 

I am luck that I have not paid so much, I feel sorry the people who have paid upfront, Guys seek Legal advice, and if you have taken out a loan from private lender speak to them and see what are willing to do to help.

 

Guys, I have decided to continue doing this alone, it is cheaper, your faith it is in your own hands, who to say if indeed Barclays found us a new Provider that the new company will not suffer the same fate?. If anyone is interest that doing microsoft certification i will like to here from you, we can help each other through this mess that we all found ourselves, we need to pull together because 100 voices in better that 1.

 

I can be contacted at [email protected].

 

Thanks for reading

[Bravo3zero]

Thank you all for your useful info and guidance including owner of this brilliant site. I learnt over 20 years ago about velocity, frequency so lamda, MHz, GHz including power management i.e. power loss in dbs, electricity so the Ohms law, SATCOM including INMARSAT to name but a few and I all I wanted was to re-vitalisations of my career by gaining some qualification in the IT world. My contract was particularly highlighted in CPP, MCAS, MCSA, MCSE and Network Security Specialist in total costing me of £5950.00 before any interest but Advent collapsed before my first hurdle so I am totally devastated as some of you young ones. I know now that this is the fact of life and I have to brace it without letting my peers know coz I chose to take this path although I didn’t have any concern to worry about my present job. I hope it is to turn something good after bad starting but you never know what is in the corner.

Thanks.

[skyblue dave]

100% RIGHT BABADO!!!

 

We should settle for nothing less than FULL refund of our money.

[Babado]

I strongly believe, the best way to go is to get a full refund otherwise, it will be seen clearly as a daylight robbery.

[Bluedo]

I am of the same mind as you Babado and the rest of you that want to NOT have to pay for something that is no longer there.

 

My worry is I did go to a Lawyer and she said I'd have to go through with paying BPF as they had paid Advent on my behalf for an IT course. I don't agree with that.

 

I can't get my head round that and like a lot of you I'll fight this on my own if need be although I think if there was enough of us together following any advice that CAG can offer us then we might stand a chance to force BPF to refund us all.

If I choose to carry on with studying this then I should be able to make my own decisions but I am a little wiser and have been doing some research and see that being employed in this field and getting experience as you go along seems to be more beneficial probably why Advent used that as a carrot.

 

I don't know but wonder if the Caggers can help, is that-- What grounds is there for being Mis sold this agreement if any

[Babado]

One thing you need to do is Speak to BPF, ask them to put your loan on hold at least for now, that will stop you having to make any payment. They have agreed to do the same for me. if your lawyer had seen the loan agreement she would not be saying that, it clearly said in the agreement that BPF can be sued for breach of contract. My mind is made up, Am going alone with the course l will not use another provider again simple as that. it will be way cheaper, once you get qualified am sure some employers will take notice.

[Bravo3zero]

I know you are gonna hate to hear this but in legal term, there is a very slim chance to get this problem with Advent to overcome quickly. I have been to CAB, local law firms and numerious people who know about insolvency cases to seek advice and answers are same as ''Insolvency is a financial state in which a company can no longer pay its bills and other obligations on time. Insolvency usually occurs whenever liabilities, or debts, exceed assets and cash flow''. Insolvency rules, act and law may seem difficult to understand for a layman. Hence, seeking help from professionals can help a great deal. Insolvency Law provides a clear, readable and comprehensive account of the principles of insolvency law in relation to both corporate, personal debtors and creditors.

[Bluedo]

One thing you need to do is Speak to BPF, ask them to put your loan on hold at least for now, that will stop you having to make any payment. They have agreed to do the same for me. if your lawyer had seen the loan agreement she would not be saying that, it clearly said in the agreement that BPF can be sued for breach of contract. My mind is made up, Am going alone with the course l will not use another provider again simple as that. it will be way cheaper, once you get qualified am sure some employers will take notice.

 

 

I got the loan on hold and the lawyer did see the fixed sum loan agreement and that's why I can't understand it I said at the time I would seek a second opinion and see a different lawyer as far as I understand as long as Barclays Partner Finance say they are trying to locate a new provider then they are upholding their side of the agreement. It's a stalling tactic by them.

 

The lawyer said we can write to Advent informing them they are in breach of contract (stating the obvious!!Didn't need a lawyer to tell me that) writing that we had paid them £5000 and only recieved a 6th of the course and requesting a refund.(like that'll happen)That's what's confusing me that legally ONLY if Barclays FAIL to provide an alternative provider then they are liable to be sued they've worded their contract cleverly That was what I was told to do just feel out my depth with the legalities of it all

It's ludicrous that anyone should be trying to force us to be involved with a training co. that we don't want to be involved with especially after all this has happened.

Hope we find a way out of this and we get refunded as I see it we should be entitled to a refund but think we'll have to fight for it.

Edited March 27, 2010 by Bluedo

[raj4u]

This thread is really bringing lots of new information everyday. I too agree wit Babado..I was on CDS as well. The same course in local college is just for £850. I don't understand how i did this big blunder. But how long we should wait like this. I'll wait untill this weekend, if v don't get anythng we all should harass BPF (as they do all the time) to get our rights. Also been to CAB n Solicitor, they advised me to write a letter to BPF and get everythng in writing..

[Bluedo]

I also thought in the beginning that Advent had breached the contract

(Which they had) and therefore BPF should be chasing Advent for the money back and with the amount of money involved must be millions

 

So Advent should pay back Barclays and Barclays should pay back Students and I'll let you know when I return to this Planet lol

[Savarok]

" We will send you either a final response or a detailed report on our" progress within eight weeks

 

I got this in writing from Barclays dated 4/2/10 so I guess they'll make us wait as long as they can

 

 

For a regulated complaint thats the correct timescales

[iNFAMOUS29]

Hello there again, a little upset now cause I have recieve a letter from Barclays today Saying that I haven't Pay my monthly amount and they put a charge on me, the Crazy stuff is that I call and they froze my account and i was Suggested to cancel my direct debit!!!!

Calling them now for a figth!

[cashins]

Hello there again, a little upset now cause I have recieve a letter from Barclays today Saying that I haven't Pay my monthly amount and they put a charge on me, the Crazy stuff is that I call and they froze my account and i was Suggested to cancel my direct debit!!!!

Calling them now for a fight!

 

Hopfully that is just admin/timing screw up on their part.

 

It does however illistrate the importance of doing everything in writing.

 

David.

[wasabi project]

Hi all,

 

2 weeks before this all kicked off I decided that I no longer wanted to continue my course, so rang Advent 5 times and was told i would be rang back so i could cancel my course. I never recieved a call back. My payment would be due on 1st may thsi year. Can anyone advise me as to any action that i should take. Would be greatly appreciated.

[iNFAMOUS29]

Hopfully that is just admin/timing screw up on their part.

 

It does however illistrate the importance of doing everything in writing.

 

David.

 

Well I actually ask for a letter saying that they did Freeze my account, one that never came, like no any other letter since the problem started, but yea, they send my a letter because I got late one Payment

anyway is sort it now, they clear up and they are sending me (I hope) all the letters now

F&%$£%^& Barclays!

[cashins]

That's what's confusing me that legally ONLY if Barclays FAIL to provide an alternative provider then they are liable to be sued they've worded their contract cleverly.

 

That effectively is the provision of S75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

 

What it comes down to again is how long have they got to do so.

 

If they were devoting as much activety to finding another supplier, as they are in trying to keep payments coming in we might be further down the road by now!

 

In the case I'm looking at, the 'account on hold' letter refers to Anglo Capital Ltd, when in fact the contract (and finance agreement) refers to Advent Consulting Ltd.

 

Well, if they can't even get the company right, just how are they trying to find an alternative provider when they don't know what the course is or ever what the subject is!!

 

Judging by the fact Consumer Direct still seem to be saying different things to different people, I don't think we can expect any immediate help from them.

 

I for one am pretty fed up with this open ended situation so:

 

I am going to write to BPF demanding that they either find an alternative supplier of the same standard, or cancel the agreement and refund payments made within 28 days' after which legal action may commence with no further warning.

 

I suspect they will either waffle, or Barclays being Barclays, ignore it completely.

 

David

[Bluedo]

plus Advent Consulting are now Advent Computer Training and there's

Advent( 2) limited same address as Advent Training Ltd.

 

Just makes me feel there's more to this than we know. I'm not confident we're dealing with people that will be interested in doing the right thing.

 

Would you mind posting the letter you are going to send it would be helpful for the wording to keep me right that would be good

[davethegrump]

just a little update.

 

I sent the letter to barclays on thursday 11th feb to freeze my account.

 

My DD is taken out on the 15th of every month.

 

NOT TODAY (15th feb). nothing taken out of my account.

 

i used a combination of 2 letters posted on here and merged them. feel free to copy:

 

Customer Relations Department

Barclays Partner Finance

PO Box 3979

Glasgow

Scotland

G51 1YL

 

 

Dear Customer Relations Department

Account No:

 

I have been made aware that Advent Computer Training has gone into administration. I am also aware that you are currently trying to find another training provider for the students of Advent.

Whilst I understand that Barclays will not cancel my contract and will not be giving me a refund for the amounts I have already paid, I therefore see it only reasonable that Barclays Partner Finance find me another training provided that is LIKE FOR LIKE to Advent computer training at no extra cost to myself within 28 days or I will find you in breach of contract and take this matter further

 

Under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974, I hold you jointly and severely liable for the Breach of Contract with Advent Computer Training.

 

Therefore I insist that:

 

You ‘freeze’ this account, until such time as you can in fact source an alternative provider, that is capable in all respects of fulfilling the contract that has been breached.

 

You confirm in writing that you have taken the above action and that it will not result in adverse data being entered on my credit file.

 

Yours faithfully

 

 

(dont give me any credit. i just copied and pasted the 2 best replys from this thread)

Edited February 15, 2010 by davethegrump

[cashins]

plus Advent Consulting are now Advent Computer Training and there's

Yep: Just a name change, same company now bust

Advent( 2) limited same address as Advent Training Ltd.

 

Just makes me feel there's more to this than we know. I'm not confident we're dealing with people that will be interested in doing the right thing.

BPF can be relied upon to act in their own best interests.

 

Would you mind posting the letter you are going to send it would be helpful for the wording to keep me right that would be good

Will do

 

Anglo Capital Ltd also changed it's name to Access 2 Careers Ltd (07/12/09), apparently thats gone as well.

 

David

[Rage84]

That effectively is the provision of S75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

 

What it comes down to again is how long have they got to do so.

 

If they were devoting as much activety to finding another supplier, as they are in trying to keep payments coming in we might be further down the road by now!

 

In the case I'm looking at, the 'account on hold' letter refers to Anglo Capital Ltd, when in fact the contract (and finance agreement) refers to Advent Consulting Ltd.

 

Well, if they can't even get the company right, just how are they trying to find an alternative provider when they don't know what the course is or ever what the subject is!!

 

Judging by the fact Consumer Direct still seem to be saying different things to different people, I don't think we can expect any immediate help from them.

 

I for one am pretty fed up with this open ended situation so:

 

I am going to write to BPF demanding that they either find an alternative supplier of the same standard, or cancel the agreement and refund payments made within 28 days' after which legal action may commence with no further warning.

 

I suspect they will either waffle, or Barclays being Barclays, ignore it completely.

 

David

 

 

 

Anglo & Advent Same People M8

[cashins]

Anglo & Advent Same People M8

 

Same people behind them but being seperate Ltd companies, they are seperate legal entities.

 

I would have love them to have paid the wrong company as they would be right in the poop!!! I suspect however they have prepared a number of letter templates to deal with the different companies and just sent the wrong one.

 

Bear in mind, most of the staff up there are for the chop in the next couple of months, so I doubt if in fact they really give a toss.

 

David

[Rage84]

Same people behind them but being seperate Ltd companies, they are seperate legal entities.

 

I would have love them to have paid the wrong company as they would be right in the poop!!! I suspect however they have prepared a number of letter templates to deal with the different companies and just sent the wrong one.

 

Bear in mind, most of the staff up there are for the chop in the next couple of months, so I doubt if in fact they really give a toss.

 

David

 

Ok m8 but My training Adviser/Mentor called me from a number which is registered as anglo

[cashins]

Ok m8 but My training Adviser/Mentor called me from a number which is registered as anglo

 

I don't doubt they are very tightly linked and was only being picky from a legal standpoint.

 

In fact I would be very suprised if all the gear that disappeared from the companies that are bust, is not now safely in the possession of their new companies.

 

David

[panliberski]

Today I got ****ed again as I checked my letter box and still there wasn't any corespondence from BPF in it.

Last time I rung them I asked to freeze my account and send all the letters some of you received. The lass said It's no problem, said the account will be frozen from now on and they will send me all the missing corespondence along with the confirmation of the account being frozen - and quess what?

 

NOTHING HAPPENED - GOT NEITHER A LETTER NOR FROZEN ACCOUNT. Just checked my statement and found out I've been charged as normal.

I'm going to write a letter today and post it tomorrow by special delivery :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad: