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

[Bluedo]

Hi Bluedo,

Could you please post a template letter that I should send to FOS? My situation is similar to yours: BPF, 5000k, bla bla....hate this situation!!!

 

Thank you

 

 

Hi cryss and Dale,

I not sure if there's a standard letter that we can write to the FOS try the link for information. You can phone them and they will send a form to fill or the form's available on their website hope this helps:) (Martin has posted some info on the FOS previous page.

 

our complaints procedure and how to complain

 

 

shgtfd, Sorry to hear that:rolleyes:

[wasabi project]

i too recieved the letter from computeach today, asking me to regiser via their website, which i will not be doing.

 

also, martin, should i ring computeach to explainmy situation and try to cancel direct with them or should i wait for the letters to come out on here?

[DaleLincs]

I have downloaded the complaints form from the FOS website

 

our complaints procedure and how to complain

 

Scroll half way down and the links to download, fill out and print off are there.

 

Quick question, if a company's credit licence has expired are they still legally allowed to recover a debt that was started when the company did have a licence?

[DaleLincs]

i too recieved the letter from computeach today, asking me to regiser via their website, which i will not be doing.

 

also, martin, should i ring computeach to explainmy situation and try to cancel direct with them or should i wait for the letters to come out on here?

 

 

Good luck with that. Let me know if they accept your request to cancel because I want some tips!

[Bluedo]

also, should i ring computeach to attempt to cancel direct with them

 

Hi Wasabi,

I haven't contacted computeach I'm waiting to see what's best way to deal with this (seeking legal advice) but as I don't trust Computeach or BPF I won't be doing what they say.

[DaleLincs]

What sort of money would I be looking at for legal advice/defence in court or in general? Are we talking hundreds or thousands of pounds?

 

Would it be advisable for me to book an hour with a solicitor to see what they think as to wether I have any case or not?

[Matt28LFC]

It's a joke mate..the whole thing is! - i havent had the letter yet but i've had the email. I just dont understand why we as students dont have a say on whats going on. It's like we're just being pawned off, we signed contracts with advent for our training, and bfp for the finance. Advent go bust, we dont get what we paid for, we get money back?! its simple?!?!?! But bfp are tight and dont want to give money back so they'll just pawn us off on computeach who are nothing like advent just to save cash. I think the computeach idea is clearly for people not fighting and just be told what to do, the people who fight (like us) will eventually get something!

 

totally agree with this, those who want there money back or agreement cancelled should get it. Being palmed off like this is just out of order!

[Bluedo]

What sort of money would I be looking at for legal advice/defence in court or in general? Are we talking hundreds or thousands of pounds?

Would it be advisable for me to book an hour with a solicitor to see what they think as to wether I have any case or not?

 

CAG offers advice and Legal help Free.

it won't cost you a penny plus there is a class action lawsuit being arranged that is also free.

No need to pay to get out this mess.

 

When this is sorted I will be donating to this site for the invaluable help and support they've given us all

Edited April 6, 2010 by Bluedo

[mozzer0734]

I have just added my name to the CAG list. And if Barclays want to steal my money they will have to pry it from my cold dead hands.

[Choco Loco]

Hi Guys & Gals,

 

I too received the Computeach generic letter this morning. I've refused to pay Barclays so they're threatening me with their debt collectors Mercers. Interestingly I spoke to Mercers the other day to explain that the whole contract was being disputed and that my solicitor had written to Barclays stating that it was invalid. Barclays are now denying all knowledge of receiving any such letter. Can somebody please tell me what the hell they're playing at? :-?

 

I have contacted so many advice groups and yet I still find myself going round in circles.

 

After reading all your helpful advice on here I too would like to be a part of the CAG class action. Sorry for being dim but how would I go about this?

 

All the best,

 

Choco Loco

[10pack]

One thing is I have not as yet written to BPF

I have called them 3 times now since january, and the last phone call I told then in no uncertain term that I did not wish computeach as my provider.

I was then in the process of completing my version of a letter to send to their customer complaints dept when Martin posted that a templete letter was being drafted.

 

Question.. do I need to send my letter in anyway without waiting for Martins letter or any other action we as a group decide?

 

I keep reading about the 8 weeks written notice business and we are in April now.

 

As I wrote before I had just signed up before the Christmas and the only thing I got out of Advent was that introduction exam which consisted of a book and a question paper, I sent this in got my 100%.

 

And it then was Christmas and I was due to go abroad after it, I was called on my mobile by someone from Advent asking me about something but I interrupted her and told her I was waiting in the queue to board a flight at that moment and would not be back until the 18th of January.

When I got back I had no contacts from Advent until finding that email in my spam folder.. and no letter from Barclays until just before they wrote telling us the wonderful news about the new training provider.

 

So all in all I have paid 2 months of my payments to BPF before asking them to put my account on hold.. and still they took out the march payment thats when I phoned BPF and asked why they had taken it. she appologised and said it would be refunded by cheque or I could go and ask my bank to call it back, I decided to get the cheque.. slower.. but there is a paper trail following that cheque.. have proof they returned it rather than me just getting it back.

[Bluedo]

Hi Guys & Gals,

 

I too received the Computeach generic letter this morning. I've refused to pay Barclays so they're threatening me with their debt collectors Mercers. Interestingly I spoke to Mercers the other day to explain that the whole contract was being disputed and that my solicitor had written to Barclays stating that it was invalid. Barclays are now denying all knowledge of receiving any such letter. Can somebody please tell me what the hell they're playing at? :-?

 

I have contacted so many advice groups and yet I still find myself going round in circles.

 

After reading all your helpful advice on here I too would like to be a part of the CAG class action. Sorry for being dim but how would I go about this?

 

All the best,

 

Choco Loco

 

Hi Choco Loco,

Under your username there's a wee red triangle report button, click it and a pop up box will appear give an outline of your situation to the site team only they see this. Mention the DCA and also add your name on the other thread for anyone getting payment demands Advent/Barclays Partner finance/hitachi/+payment demands

[Choco Loco]

Many thanks Bluedo for your swift reply.

 

I shall get onto it straight away.

[JuiceyBuns]

Someone else might be better to confirm, but I think you need to put your complaint in writing. However, even if you don't, anything verbal cannot be proven unless you have recorded all conversations. The FOS will ask for any correspondence between you and Barclays/Advent, as would any lawyer. The FOS will not act unless a complaint has been made with BPF and a written document is proof of that complaint.

 

I've held off contacting the FOS until the alternative was found and was hoping for a letter from CAG before doing so. However I phoned them today from one of the many links on here (thank you all) and a very friendly chap took all the details from me and will be sending out a partially completed form. He completed the majority of the details and I will need to update, date, sign and return it with all correspondence.

 

I will be writing a letter of rejection to BPF advising of all the reasons why CT are not a suitable like-for-like or better alternative and requesting a refund + termination of the contract under CCA1974 which I have previously requested and that this matter has been now referred to the FOS. I will also request that the account is kept on hold until the complaint is resolved and to confirm in writing. (FOS chap said this would be a good idea and might entice BPF to resolve sooner, but I'm not holding my breath lol)

 

Once the FOS receive my completed form, they will write to BPF who will then have 8 weeks to resolve the issue. If not or if I haven't heard from BPF, then I need to contact the FOS who will step in and get it resolved.

 

If you haven't yet contacted the FOS, then do it today, it's quick and easy. They will need your BPF reference number, details of your complaint (advent going into administration (date of your first complaint with BPF and date when advent went into administration for confirmation that 8 weeks have passed), the reasons why CT is not suitable (many listed on the last few pages), what you want (refund+cancellation), your contact details.

Edited April 6, 2010 by JuiceyBuns

[jesterjoe00]

Hi DonnieB I was doing the database specialist course, I got the 1 years interest free before I was due to start paying back at the beginning of Feburary.

My account was frozen the day after the email from advent so I just need to cancel this agreement.

[Bluedo]

Thank you JuiceyBuns, Good stuff very helpful.

[Bluedo]

I have had one or two people asking about the FOS.

 

I explained earlier about the procedure-but here is some more.

 

Although under FSA guidance a lender / Financial Service Provider who operates under regulatory codes has 8 weeks in which to resolve a complaint or else give a final response before the FOS will actively take on a complaint,this does not stop anyone from opening a complaint before then.

The first steps are to give some basic info to the FOS -such as your name,address,contact details,the organisation you are complaining about,and the nature of the complaint.

You can do nthis online,or else in writing.

The FOS will then send you a complaints form with an allocated complaints number attatched.

This will be recorded for all additional info and at that point your complaint will be logged on their system.

 

Once you recieve the form-fill it in and send it back with original copies of any supporting docs and correspondence.

If the 8 weeks time frame has not been exhausted or else you have not yet recieved a final response within the 8 weeks-the FOS will return your complaints form along with your docs after taking copies of them.

they WILL NOT TAKE ANY FURTHER ACTION until they hear from you further-but at least your complaint is on the system.

I was given a little hope to read of a number of complaints that the FOS appear to have upheld in favour of students against BPF.

My understanding is that amongst their determinations were breaches covered by Sec 75CCA and also under The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1979.

I dont quite understand why these rulings have been upheld so quickly,but it could have been following BPF giving a final response inside 8 weeks.

This could possibly explain why they are not doing that now-but exhausting the 8 weeks.

 

I am aware that many have sent letters but that it appears that the letters have not all been specific in their targets,

 

The letters should have clearly set out that the Student considers the account to be in dispute,for xxxx reasons (which have all been outlined previously-and which seemingly offer recourse)

 

The letters needed to be stating that any action by BCF to enforce collection of monies or initiate negative or adverse credit reporting,would be viewed as hostile and as a result would spur a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading,Consumer Direct,Trading Standards,and the FOS.

 

Secondly,

There is a defined course of action required before litigation-which its essential any prospective claimants would be expected to follow under The Civil Procedure Rules pre action protocols.

 

It is likely BCF would have a good arguement to say that they were investigating complaints and had not given a final response,therefore had not been given opportunity to address a claimants issues.

 

This of course would apply to those who have had letters to say they were looking into the complaint and would respond further.

 

Where BPF HAVE IGNORED letters or have said they consider no case to answer-then thats a different scenario.

 

So the first thing that BOTH the FOS AND any Court would be interested to see was that BPF had been given the chance to resolve-and also their response.

 

Its essential therefore that there is supporting evidence of fob offs-as well of course of the submissions which rely on a course of action (That there are grounds to challenge)

 

 

I can confirm that as far as I am aware,2 different firms have been approached.

One is seeking upfront payments for representation (including £200 for a letter)

 

The other,I am not in a position to discuss,although my understanding is that some are aware.

 

Initially,my thoughts at this stage was to try and determine who has done what-you will appreciate that with so many students here who have taken some steps its very difficult to find a starting point.

For that reason I asked those looking for help with a letter,to send details via the report triangle-giving a brief outline of things.

I thought that way it was more easy to identify a plan of action....for a selection of CAG members who are in limbo as what to do.

 

I hope that makes things a little clearer.

Once I am in a position to report more-I will do.

 

I've repeated this post by Martin for guidance.

[CATHO]

Been following from day 1 and it has been a great help. Count me in for the CAGG action

[chemical bomber]

I would also like to accept CAG teams help and assistance

[Savarok]

CAG offers advice and Legal help Free.

it won't cost you a penny plus there is a class action lawsuit being arranged that is also free.

No need to pay to get out this mess.

 

When this is sorted I will be donating to this site for the invaluable help and support they've given us all

 

Likewise - if you have used this site the least you can do is donate a few quid for the site team.

[panliberski]

As I said, can't say too much at the moment, but I've offered to be one of the 'named parties' for a lawsuit.

 

BPF and Computeach spies may be reading here so I'll leave it there, except to say I agree it's gone past polite begging letters now to this shameful bank and yes, action must indeed be taken. I'm up for that!

 

I WANT TO BE INCLUDED!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[richeeeee]

Just filling in form to send to ombudsmen and as i was reading through past emails i received i stumbled across this:

 

However we are currently experiencing an extremely high demand for student places, so unfortunately, we can only hold this offer open to you for a maximum period of 14 days from the above date. This period should allow you enough time to complete your enrolment, which will then secure and guarantee your place on the above course.

 

This was sent in an email before i signed up officially to the loan etc. Surely as i have the email containing this it proves the the tactics used by advent to get us to sign up?

[33hz]

I would also like to accept CAG teams help and assistance

 

Me too

[5R7]

Evening all, first post here, I v been reading since the begining of February and thought i should really register and join in! I too would like to add my name to the CAG list. And I am one of those with the 5950 on 3 years from barclays intrest free bollocks. I sent an initial letter at the begining of feb which i got the standrad fob off, and sent one just before easter, also sent an email to the fos at the same time, rite before i read that cag was putting some stuff togetjher, oh well the more letter BPF get the bnetter i reckon!

[cHankin]

just recieved my letter from computeach.

 

what now? could i get a update sorry for the hassle.