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

[10pack]

The statement about your accounts being frozen while BPF find a new training provider is a load of bull. I have letters from BPF stating that I need to carry on paying till they find a training provider.

 

I agree

 

my first payments started in January this year they took that out, I phoned them to ask what was happening and was told that within a month I would get news of the alternative training company.

After Febuary payment I phoned them again was told still no news, and at the begining of March when I again asked what is the news.. "have you found an alternative training company?" the answer was.. "still no news", so I asked for my account to be frozen and no more payments to be taken.. they did not volenteer to do this I had to ask about it...

Barclays then took the March payment anyway.

 

I phoned again to complain and ask is there any news.. no news was the reply, so I asked can I have my money back please you took the March payment even though my account should be frozen?...

 

They did refund me the March payment but only because I asked for it, and the rep for some reason could not send my payment back into my bank account, the rep said I can either go to my bank and request it back or we can send you a cheque.. I asked for a cheque.

 

I figured that at least it shows they refunded me rather than me trying to claw it back and I have a record of the transaction... I had to remove the DD to pay barclays otherwise they would have carried on taking payments.

 

then a few weeks later came the letter telling me they had "Found" computeach.

(thats 2 months too late!!! and thats the wrong company to force down our necks!!) and that they would automatically restart taking payments.. and that without consultation or by your leave.

I did not re-instate the DD

[Fuzzbutt]

The statement about your accounts being frozen while BPF find a new training provider is a load of bull. I have letters from BPF stating that I need to carry on paying till they find a training provider.

 

Could you send Ingrid at Hausfeld a copy please, Rally? Or if you have an electronic scan of it forward to me at fuzzbutt@ to pass on if you prefer. Thanks.

Our lawyer needs all the evidence she can get to nail this.

[JuiceyBuns]

I think the valid argument here is that barclays did freeze accounts, but only after we approached them to do it! At which time they did not cancel direct debits and continued to take payments. Those of us who questioned this were told to cancel our direct debits and if requested, got a refund for that payment. We, or at least I then received a statement saying the account is in debit because of the following payment being missed and was advised to ignore this letter.

[Fuzzbutt]

Regarding what we can do ourselves as this develops, Ingrid has suggested some campaign ideas.On one case (where she acted for thousands of people devastated by floods and insurers refused to pay out) while the legal case went on the people held a public meeting, designed special T shirts and mounted a daily name and shame campaign with the press and MP’s. They overran the boardrooms of the insurance companies during their AGM’s and told shareholders what they were going through.

It worked apparently, with first one big company agreeing to pay out, followed by the others.

 

A protest at the BPF Cardiff offices has already been suggested here (though I realise as we are all scattered around the country). I don’t have time to organise this on top of all else (the emails to fuzzbutt and collecting up material for the case takes up a good part of each evening and some weekends as it is) but maybe someone would be happy to take this on and 'stage manage' it?

 

Idea for a campaign slogan...

"Barclays - the new Robbin(g) Hood. Takes from the poor customers to feed the rich!" lol

I can supply a press release (I'm working on a case statement for major media at the moment) if anyone needs something for their local press they may have contacts with.

Other things we should maybe do, contact MPs (some have already, I know). Leaflet local Barclays outlets - that'll freak 'em out, 'ooh don't want to lose our customers!!'

I can do a template poster/leaflet and put up on the website to print off and copy if everyone is up for that.

What do you think?

Any other ideas guys?

(Also copied to Facebook)

[Fuzzbutt]

PS I think the idea of a public demonstration against Barclays near Downing street would be a good idea, also I think that all of us need to contact our respective MP to highlight the matter.

 

Agree too, Blade - apologies, I moved my post on campaigning on as I added something else.

[rally2001]

Could you send Ingrid at Hausfeld a copy please, Rally? Or if you have an electronic scan of it forward to me at fuzzbutt@ to pass on if you prefer. Thanks.

Our lawyer needs all the evidence she can get to nail this.

 

No problem. I've just dug them out now and I'll get them scanned, if y scanner plays ball, and sent to you but if not I'll send them to ingrid

[Mustard2243]

I will take some leaflets!!

[jbaggy]

FUZZBUTT ANNOUNCEMENT:

 

I've been discussing the 'One Show' BPF statement that was read out with our group lawyer, and particularly regarding their comment that ‘peoples credit payments were stopped in the 3 month period that a new provider was being sourced’. Ingrid is asking for evidence that they did NOT freeze the accounts and carried on taking and demanding payments during the time before they appointed Computeach.

If you have any evidence in the form of letters/emails/bank statements or even accounts of your telephone calls with Barclays insisting they were not going to freeze your account and you’d have to continue paying, please could you forward them directly to Ingrid Gubbay at Hausfeld (details on our website).

 

I've just been going through my BPF stuff and as we weren't due to start paying until 26th March all I have are the genetic letters saying that I still need to make payments and a letter telling us we were due to start payments in March but it does have an arrears note on it (I received this on the 3rd of April)

 

Do I need to send these in?

 

Cheers Fuzz!!!

[Mustard2243]

I do not start college (a proper college!) until the 27th so i will kick off the protest train. If anyone willing to Leaflet a branch can email me at xxxxxx with your forum name, whether you drive or not, if you have a printer, if you are available weekdays, weekends, both and your location.

 

I can then put people together so there can be a few of us at each branch.

 

I have now involved Three MP's in my Dispute my former MP Eric Pickles, My Current MP Pat Mcfadden additionally Eric Pickles wrote to Vince Cable concerning the matter!!! One Secretary for Business One Shadow Secretary for Business and One Secretary for Rural affairs (I think?).

 

Can we get a list going of what MP's are involved in this matter now?

Edited December 31, 2010 by IdaInFife
email removed

[Eagle1905]

Hey all. Can anyone help. I need the template letter to dispute account to send to mercers. Cant seem to find it

[raj4u]

Hello guys, Had anyone received letters from sanclare finance? i got a letter this morning asking to repay the arrears that bpf added on my account so far..they are being so generous to me, they gave me four days to repay the debt (letter dated 9th sept n i received it today). If i failed to comply with their request, they will continue their efforts to get full balance from me:lol:..i received my final response from BPF n its clearly stating that they will remove all arrears on my account as a gesture of good will:shock:. I sent this response to mercers when they were after me for the payments, didn't hear from them after i sent this letter. I guess all our accounts must have been passed to sanclare now..i will sent this same letter again to them, lets c what they say!!

[Mustard2243]

lol not me but that is probably because i have moved and not told them!

[lowdown]

Hello guys, Had anyone received letters from sanclare finance? i got a letter this morning asking to repay the arrears that bpf added on my account so far..they are being so generous to me, they gave me four days to repay the debt (letter dated 9th sept n i received it today). If i failed to comply with their request, they will continue their efforts to get full balance from me:lol:..i received my final response from BPF n its clearly stating that they will remove all arrears on my account as a gesture of good will:shock:. I sent this response to mercers when they were after me for the payments, didn't hear from them after i sent this letter. I guess all our accounts must have been passed to sanclare now..i will sent this same letter again to them, lets c what they say!!

 

SANCLARE are just another commission based collection agency.Run by a guy who used to work at Barclay's. If they do not collect money, they do not get their commission. They will not spend to much time & effort chasing people if they do not get any commission. It will end up with someone else, then someone else.Then go back to BPF eventually if no money is being collected. Write to BPF and ask for a copyof the 'deed of assignment' that they should have issued to Sanclare.And while you are at it, ask BPF for a copy of their contract with you.Without those two documents they are on dodgy ground, and from what i have been reading about cases on this very forum.They've got nothing to take you to court with. All very interesting.....

Edited September 12, 2010 by lowdown

[Fuzzbutt]

FUZZBUTT ANNOUNCEMENT:

 

I've just been going through my BPF stuff and as we weren't due to start paying until 26th March all I have are the genetic letters saying that I still need to make payments and a letter telling us we were due to start payments in March but it does have an arrears note on it (I received this on the 3rd of April)

 

Do I need to send these in?

 

Cheers Fuzz!!!

[/font]

 

Please jbaggy - would be useful for Ingrid to see.

[Fuzzbutt]

I do not start college (a proper college!) until the 27th so i will kick off the protest train. If anyone willing to Leaflet a branch can email me at xxxxxxx with your forum name, whether you drive or not, if you have a printer, if you are available weekdays, weekends, both and your location.

 

I can then put people together so there can be a few of us at each branch.

 

I have now involved Three MP's in my Dispute my former MP Eric Pickles, My Current MP Pat Mcfadden additionally Eric Pickles wrote to Vince Cable concerning the matter!!! One Secretary for Business One Shadow Secretary for Business and One Secretary for Rural affairs (I think?).

 

Can we get a list going of what MP's are involved in this matter now?

 

Brilliant, thanks for your response, Mustard.

Quite a lot on Facebook are keen to do leaflet campaigns too at their local Barclays but I need to check legalities with Hausfeld first regards what can go on leaflets (don't want to get slapped for libel) and what rights people have regarding protesting at premises etc.

 

I can put up a leaflet/poster on the student website people can download and photocopy off as they want (or you can do your own). I don't mind putting up a template letter for people to send to MPs as well, for anyone not confident in writing their own.

Edited December 31, 2010 by IdaInFife
email removed

[blade325]

Hi Fuzzbutt I have a letter dated 7 March 2010 stating that my account is in arreas and a payment needs to be made. Do you want me to send you a copy to forward on to the legal team.

[Fuzzbutt]

Hi Fuzzbutt I have a letter dated 7 March 2010 stating that my account is in arreas and a payment needs to be made. Do you want me to send you a copy to forward on to the legal team.

 

Please Blade - thanks.

[skyblue dave]

I made my payment, as usual, on Jan 28. We then heard that Advent has gone bust. I cancelled my dd with immediate effect. When I did not make my payment on Feb 28, I got a letter (dated 3-3-10) fining me £22-50. (I have sent a copy of this letter to Hausfeld). When I did not make my paymeny on March 28, I received a letter stating that I was £390-00 in arrears. (I have sent a copy of this letter to Hausfeld). All of this contradicts BPF's claim that payments were waived until a substitute provider had been sourced.

 

I would like to support / help the legal action in any way I can. I can't , though, see much to be gained by protests. At this stage, BPF , judging by the fact they haven't conceded an inch, are not going to be embarrassed into conceding defeat or decide they are morally wrong, or anything like that.

 

The only way this is going to be resolved, in my opinion, is in the courts.

 

If the legal team feel we have a strong case - LET'S GET IT ON! If they dont, let's say 'Thanks' to all concerned - AND ADMIT DEFEAT.

[Fuzzbutt]

I'd beg to differ on the protesting not having any effect, Skyblue Dave. As Ingrid said, it helped push a speedy resolution in the flooding case she dealt with due to the public shaming of the companies involved. In our case she hopes the publicity will make BPF come more quickly to the table and stop dragging their feet, perhaps even agree to resolve it without having to have a court action put on them. While this is going on Hausfeld are still in dialogue with Hogan Lovells behind the scenes and a new step has been reached, which I won't disclose on a public forum. This, plus a national MP letter campaign I was also going to put forward, may just gee them along.

 

As a former campaigner with Amnesty International I know only full well the power of public image for governments and companies who rely on the trust of their customers to make their profits. Lose the public's trust and bang go your profits.

 

Put it this way, campaigning won't do any harm - we don't lose by it, just a couple of hours in time leafletting outside your local Barclays maybe instead of sitting in front of the telly. Taking part is entirely optional.

[skyblue dave]

I'd beg to differ on the protesting not having any effect, Skyblue Dave. As Ingrid said, it helped push a speedy resolution in the flooding case she dealt with due to the public shaming of the companies involved. In our case she hopes the publicity will make BPF come more quickly to the table and stop dragging their feet, perhaps even agree to resolve it without having to have a court action put on them. While this is going on Hausfeld are still in dialogue with Hogan Lovells behind the scenes and a new step has been reached, which I won't disclose on a public forum. This, plus a national MP letter campaign I was also going to put forward, may just gee them along.

 

 

As a former campaigner with Amnesty International I know only full well the power of public image for governments and companies who rely on the trust of their customers to make their profits. Lose the public's trust and bang go your profits.

 

Put it this way, campaigning won't do any harm - we don't lose by it, just a couple of hours in time leafletting outside your local Barclays maybe instead of sitting in front of the telly. Taking part is entirely optional.

 

Thanks fuzzbutt. That all makes sense. By using the protests as a way of forcing the issue - backed up by the ongoing threat of court action - I can see it has some merit. My worry, I suppose, was that the legal side was losing it's impetus. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that what you have done to this point is really appreciated.

It's encouraging that things are moving forward on the legal side. I realise that a lot of the work has to be done covertly, but it's helpful to get some sort of progress report, even if it's just to say 'things are progressing'.

[Fuzzbutt]

I can appreciate that, Dave. I'm in a priveliged position in that I'm in regular contact with Ingrid so I get an insight into what she's doing which the rest of you guys don't. Not knowing the score must be frustrating.

Rest assured we do have a good case and now have great evidence, thanks to everyone who responded, on the mis-selling and BPF lying about putting everyone's accounts on hold.

[10pack]

I can appreciate that, Dave. I'm in a priveliged position in that I'm in regular contact with Ingrid so I get an insight into what she's doing which the rest of you guys don't. Not knowing the score must be frustrating.

Rest assured we do have a good case and now have great evidence, thanks to everyone who responded, on the mis-selling and BPF lying about putting everyone's accounts on hold.

 

Yes its good to hear Fuzzbutt.. but only thing I that troubles me is that with all these things that BPF bring up.. I am wondering if they are trying to draw out Ingrids stratagy.. since as you know a lot of the way it goes in a court is how things are presented, I have been on jury service and believe me when I say they should get Oscars for their acting performances in the court.. its a game.. and a very expensive one at that

Edited September 13, 2010 by 10pack

[Fuzzbutt]

I think we've got some pretty solid arguments, 10pack. S75 and 3 months without any training for a start. Plus Advent's mis-selling courses (we now have the statements of an ex-Advent rep to confirm what we all claim, that we were told it was open-ended and there would be no extra charges, plus the career work placement promise). On top of that, Barclays abuse of CCA with the extortioanate interest - all that's in Hausfeld's first letter.

Barclays argued they needed actual cases and not just generalisations so that's what Hausfeld are putting together now. They'll have to try and fish something else out of their bottom drawer then (no dout they will try)! Ingrid did point out to me in an email a while back that this is all predictable and she's come across all these tactics before with big banks. But it won't prevent them eventually having to come to the table or be dragged kicking and screaming to court. I believe Ingrid was hoping she'd be able to get them to do it without the kicking and screaming as that would be a quicker result for us.

But that hasn't so far happened.

[JuiceyBuns]

Hey Fuzzbutt, Ingrid was looking into a way to help those of us who were supposed to be a guarantor but ended up being the debtor for the loan and are being told that section 75 doesn't apply as we have no relationship to the supplier? Can you find out if anything came of that?

[MXDC121]

hi fuzzbutt i got a letter today from a new debt collection agency. wanting full payment. did u want a copie for the legal action team?

everyones doing a great job