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

[iNFAMOUS29]

And I just called Computeach to find out what is going on and the guy didn't want to respond any of my questions about MSCE and how much it cost... hahah, so that's mean that I still have to pay what Barclays says even if they are Cheaper!

Something is going very wrong here!

[Matt28LFC]

Sounds like Barclays are pocketing the difference! I for one payed off my Debt to Barclays in full after the 1st year to avoid the insane Interest sounds like we're ****ed!

[THE ROADIE]

Try not to worry guys, looking at the evidence from Martin and TomBL, to me its looking more and more like if this goes to court, Barclays wont stand a chance.

[Yasmin89]

hiya, any news on this lawyer?iv written an angry letter but i dont think it will do much

[Matt28LFC]

I hope so, because it seems ultimately or at least for me im not getting the Goods and Servcies I've already paid for!! That must entitle me!! Cant believe how this has gone, i signed up because i was sick and tired of crap factory work and already had an interest in IT and that where i wanted to be. Was so happy when i started and its turned into a nightmare, all i wanted to do was better myself and provide myself with a better future. But as usual good hardworking people get stiffed!!

[davewave]

I hope so, because it seems ultimately or at least for me im not getting the Goods and Servcies I've already paid for!! That must entitle me!! Cant believe how this has gone, i signed up because i was sick and tired of crap factory work and already had an interest in IT and that where i wanted to be. Was so happy when i started and its turned into a nightmare, all i wanted to do was better myself and provide myself with a better future. But as usual good hardworking people get stiffed!!

 

I'm in a similar situation, paid in full to BPF before the interest kicked in for the MCSA course. £4450 for a few text books and Transcender Exam CD. Don't I feel stupid . Not really sure what to do about this now.

[Mustard2243]

Please please please do not listen to what Barclays tell you they are out for their own interests not yours, do you really think they care if you don't eat? That is the kinda of organisation we are dealing with, Contact the FO they are very helpful.

[MARTIN3030]

Maybe we can draft up a prelim letter that sets out case law and stat requirement,for people to send to BPF It does no harm for those who want to contact the FOS to do so,any legal action against BCF or the threats of it,will not affect your complaint with the FOS.

No one should assume that just because the FOS have ordered BCF to refund some complainants or rescind agreements that Barclays will be so obliging for all ...because they wont.

They are likely to say that each case is decided on an individual basis,and that where they have refunded,its been as a result of commercial decisios-they are unlikely to accept any liability -and instead cite godwill.

[Bluedo]

A letter template would be very helpful Martin,

I'm sure the legalities of this is quite daunting and I get stuck keeping the wording respectable keep drifting into being threatening then I have to do it again and get bogged down as to how it'll be received.

Also there is a lot of ideas in TomBL's post for the FOS and reasons of difference of CT

[Stevolfc]

I just got the "computeach are your new provider" bla bla bla letter from barclays and i just this second recieved an email from computeach welcoming me! has anyone else recieved an email yet??

[iNFAMOUS29]

I just got the Computeach email it Rigth now.... Bla bla bla... What should I do, I don't want them, i'm writing a letter to BPF but i need to know what to write or why i'm not happy with the new Provider... Any Help!

[10pack]

I just got the "computeach are your new provider" bla bla bla letter from barclays and i just this second recieved an email from computeach welcoming me! has anyone else recieved an email yet??

 

Emails.. really

thats good maybe they have decided its too much trouble to write everything down and will instead get you to send in your details.. there will be a online questionaire next.. gone a long way since pencil and paper :grin:

[Stevolfc]

i've got a strange feeling that by "logging in" as they request i'm sort of accepting the new provider, which i dont want to do!

[wizard21]

"far too often these companies train people for worthless courses and then go bust leaving the client with a £5000 debt to pay for a course they cannot complete.

 

We have had to fight Barclays on section 75 of the CCA to get the debt written off"

 

Read more: http://www.dailymail.

 

Taken from the Daily Mail Online

 

Technically if the MCSE course is...

A Not advisable unless having at least 18months experience in IT

B Pointless as to validity of Qualification

C Distance Learning being not respected by employers in IT as lacks experience in this field.

These are very valid reasons as to being sold unsatisfactory goods and taking advantage of peoples lack of knowledge of what they are really signing up for.

Because let's face it this is nothing more than a money making scheme for a Finance company and Training companies that are in cahoots with them.

 

Chris let us know what they say if anything

 

 

Point A is sort of true but not entirely accurate - check the Microsoft MCSE requirements. I know guys who have gone from zero to MCSE in 6 months with no IT industry experience using self study courses. Extremely difficult but not impossible.

Point B is way off being true - MCSE is still the industry standard and most of the MCSE core exams are key to any further qualifications in 7 or Vista. Check cwjobs.co.uk if you think that MCSE is no longer relevant.

Point C is also false and even if it was true, it's hard to prove that as quantifiable information and cannot be used as an argument for missold goods. This is not a money-making scheme for BPF and training companies - it's just that the industry needs to be regulated a lot more on how/who they sell courses to, in my opinion.

 

Despite what they guys on the link that you posted say (a 5 year old forum topic by the way), the industry still loves an MCSE and the money is still there for skilled guys. To anybody reading this, if you like IT do NOT let this saga put you off. Get into 1st Line Support somewhere and you will learn faster than with any self study course.

 

We should concentrate on the big issue here - Computeach's offer is simply not good enough.

 

1. No resits

2. Time limitations

3. Total lack of classwork training (as kindly evidenced by Martin)

4. I'm pretty sure that the course is much cheaper than Advent's?

5. Computeach are also in financial difficulties, who is to say that they will not go under?

6. An already disillusioned student base that is about to be flooded.

 

Is it worth getting the FOS involved? Will they even do anything? My colleague at work got a full refund in a similar situation to this thanks to the FOS. Again, BPF - and he was promised a job. They arranged alternative training but it was rubbish, and he got a full refund ordered from BPF...... i'll ask him who he trained with.

[10pack]

hey I just checked my other email account and I also have email from computeach.. I have not read it yet.. have other things to do.

 

I have a question since we have not signed up with computeach has barclays broken the data protection act by giving away our email address and details??

[Stevolfc]

hey I just checked my other email account and I also have email from computeach.. I have not read it yet.. have other things to do.

 

I have a question since we have not signed up with computeach has barclays broken the data protection act by giving away our email address and details??

 

The email states that they're "merging" information from advent to computeach. Going by what i've heard on here, i wont be "logging in" to anything

[Celina]

My head is spinning who is doing what and when.. I think I speak to my local CAB and see if they can help....

I have a complaint and I need to see the new contract with computeach before anything not just agree with like that. What have BPF agreed on my behalf.

I have my consumer rights they haven't discussed anything with me in any way. I not very happy with all this.

[wizard21]

I've also received the email.... and i've skimmed through it and the gist of it is:-

 

I would advise everyone NOT to login using the credentials in the email and "verify" yourself. The email says:

 

"Here you will be able to confirm that the contact details we have for you are correct. You will be able to update your email and postal address as well as telephone numbers at this site. By doing so, we will assume that you want to continue your training (and are happy for us to use your records as set out below)"

 

but also goes on to say:-

 

"We realise that the recent events with the Company will have been unsettling for you and have interrupted the flow of your studies and we are keen to get you started again as soon as possible. We expect that the verification process will take approximately 2 weeks and then we expect to be able to get you back on track with your goal of a new or improved career in IT. For this brief period, we will be unable to answer questions about the specifics of your training whilst we work to integrate the data from the Company's systems with our own"

 

So basically, agree to use us, but we won't answer specifics on your courses.

 

What a joke.

[ReloadG]

Hi All

DONT click or login to any computeach links that they have sent you by email coz its to confirm your self on the new place

 

all you got to do is keep sending letters to the C**t's Dont pay no more money and tel computeach to f**k of ..

BPF cant do sod all ..they cant take us all to court..for some thing they done wrong:!:

 

so dont worry about it and dont sign on login 2 any thing new WE WILL WIN THIS GUY'S and what im doing is telling my story 2 all diffent papers and website so they are 1000% F**Ked

[Nightfall]

Just got the Computeach email. I'm really not happy with this at all.

 

:!:I don't think its a good idea for anyone to be "logging in" to their site!

 

Guess its official now that we are not getting the goods and services we payed for, talk about the little guy being shafted by the man!

[Celina]

Can anyone help with the class action against them.. I'm a bit annoyed that computeach have my e-mail details....

I keeping reading about class action against can anyone direct me to this....

[wizard21]

Just checked Computeach's FAQ's and another interesting nugget of information - they only let you sit exams at their exam centre.

 

Again - different to Advent, who let you sit exams at Prometric centres near your house.

 

Also looks to me like the course structure is different - you pass an online mock, then go in for a workshop and then take the real exam at the end of the workshop.. interesting.

[Stevolfc]

Just checked Computeach's FAQ's and another interesting nugget of information - they only let you sit exams at their exam centre.

 

Again - different to Advent, who let you sit exams at Prometric centres near your house.

 

Also looks to me like the course structure is different - you pass an online mock, then go in for a workshop and then take the real exam at the end of the workshop.. interesting.

 

not liking that, the idea for me was to take the exam local to my house, i live 100 miles away from birmingham so its hardly simple!

[MARTIN3030]

A letter template would be very helpful Martin,

I'm sure the legalities of this is quite daunting and I get stuck keeping the wording respectable keep drifting into being threatening then I have to do it again and get bogged down as to how it'll be received.

Also there is a lot of ideas in TomBL's post for the FOS and reasons of difference of CT

 

 

Yes the FOS have given some indicators by citing statutes to Barclays.

You would not need to go into fine detail-just a overview that lets Barclays know you are not as daft as they are assuming....but threats of legal action would need to be followed through-so many threaten yet dont carry it out.

It may well take a claim before they pay up-its not unusual for Banks and FSPs to actually wait until they get a summons BEFORE deciding to settle-in fact this was pretty much the norm in a wide range of bank claims we saw here between 2006 and 2008.

Ok so they have costs to consider-but they are not fazed by costs from a small claims action.Once a claim is issued they would have 14 days to acknowledge and indicate whether they will be defending or counterclaiming.

Unbelievable we have seen many claims settled at the last minute.

But they would be required to submit a defence within 28 days of any claim being issued.

Knowing Barclays-they will have their ears close to the ground and probably be expecting some N1s landing any time soon.

I cant believe no one has filed yet -maybe there has been some and Barclays have settled and worded confidentiality into it.

It would not be a first.

[wizard21]

not liking that, the idea for me was to take the exam local to my house, i live 100 miles away from birmingham so its hardly simple!

 

I don't live too far from Brum but I normally go to the Prometric centre up the road from work and then make up the time, not needing to use my annual leave... yet more reasons why Computeach are no good to a lot of people!!