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

[MARTIN3030]

Yes it seems I was right.

I have just turned up a very interesting post.

Take a look at this.....and of course note again-the Barclays connection !!!

 

 

24th March 2010, 10:15 #1 (permalink) DaleLincs

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Help With Computeach Refunds Needed!!

admin Please Feel Free To Move My Thread If Needed...

 

 

In April 2007, I was a 19yr old young man preyed upon by a Computeach pressure salesman. He promised me only 8 hours a week of study would be fine to complete the course in two years. I have this on my copy of the contract signed by Computeach and myself.

 

I also explained to the salesman my personal situation with my son whom at the time was seriously/terminally ill. He assured me that it wouldn't be a problem etc and again like most other people on these forums was promised a world of 'personal' tutoring, support, individually tailored tutoring etc etc. I have all my records in order.

 

The financial side of it was funded through a Barclays Career Devlopment Loan for 80% of the course fees. The other 20% of the course fees were funded via a company called Marehill Finance, who I understand to be Computeach's 'in house' finance department.

 

Barclays Loan - £3800.00

Marehill Finance - £750.00

Deposit - £200

 

Course Total - £4750

 

I managed to complete my first part of the course which was the IC3 module, so around 25% of the total course length.

 

I kept in touch with computeach via email about my personal situation and did ask on several occassions for a refund and to cancel the course they said it wouldn't be possible even in my situation and all they would do is give me a 12month extention on the course.

 

I am claiming for a partial refund and have informed barlcays by way of letter that I am looking for a refund from computeach so that I can pay off the loan I have with them. As regards to the Marehill finance part of the finance, I have been paying that since June 2007 and it is fully paid off in June 2010.

 

I am looking for advice on how to go about claiming my course fees back, including examination fees that I havent even sat. Also how to tidy up the finance and get these loans cleared, hopefully in the way of a refund via Computeach.

 

Any advice would be gratefully recieved, I have been struggling with this for 3 years now and would like some closure on it.

[MARTIN3030]

I am going to contact the OFT for clarification as to whether Marehill have indeed renewed their CC licence-if it turns out they have not then I think there could be some fireworks:D

[MARTIN3030]

I have also contacted Dale to invite him to p[ost further here-it seems he has not seen this forum and posted elsewhere on the site.

[panliberski]

just got this off of ct web site

Flexible courses to suit you

 

Our unique courses are designed to fit in with your lifestyle, so there are no fixed term times. You learn mainly at home in your own environment you're already comfortable with and are supported by our expert tutors via phone and email. When you're ready to attend a classroom session, you'll meet your tutor and fellow Computeach trainees.

 

again i say why have people been given times to compleat?

 

take it literally mate - study as long as u wish but nothing here states a promise that it is for free

[Bluedo]

Why are there so many connections to Wales BPF change Glasgow to Cardiff

It's been said Advent are setting up in Wales and Computeach has a wales connection

 

 

 

Computeach International, specialists in IT training | Western Mail (Cardiff, Wales) Newspaper | Find Articles at BNET

 

Any fireworks yet?

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bluedo

[Lankus]

He did say he'd get back to me probably this Tues or Weds, once he's had a look at the contracts. But I've also heard from another company I'd contacted at the same time and will have more on Weds as to whether they are willing to take us on as a class action.

 

I'll say no more than that for now as Barclays will be reading here I'm sure.

 

Hi Fuzzbutt, have you heard anything yet? I've not heard anything today so hopefully tomorrow

[Stevolfc]

I've still not had a reply yet from BPF. Still awaiting a response after the FO wrote to them about my claim on s75. I cant believe they're "making" us go to a company thats already being sued for lack of service!! Essentially, we as students are not considered important. They posted £11.5billion profit recently aswell!

Who put barclays in charge anyway?!! Clearly barclays did not plan on advent going under at the beginning, so this shabby attempt to put together an alternative provider is shocking!! Computeach - i think not. This is our futures they're messing with here!

[10pack]

I've still not had a reply yet from BPF. Still awaiting a response after the FO wrote to them about my claim on s75. I cant believe they're "making" us go to a company thats already being sued for lack of service!! Essentially, we as students are not considered important. They posted £11.5billion profit recently aswell!

Who put barclays in charge anyway?!! Clearly barclays did not plan on advent going under at the beginning, so this shabby attempt to put together an alternative provider is shocking!! Computeach - i think not. This is our futures they're messing with here!

 

When I phoned them in Feb I was told BPF was not the same company as Barclays Bank I tried to tell her I did not see the difference.. but she insisted that it was so.. as if their boss does not report to the same chairman.

Also yes all these Billions they made profit and how? .. I get 0.7% interest on my savings account and the bosses payout all those bonuses because they have done such a good job of screwing their customers.

No other business do I know of is gauged by how much they make out of their customers.. and they say they are doing us a favour they give us a service.. well lets see it Barclays we know you read these forums..

 

why did you not consult your customers and ask what they wanted to do.. which training provider would I like to use instead?

QA has been recomended to me by the job centre(why they did not tell me this last year?) and I checked out QA's website seems to offer training packages they call them training in a box.. you get everything to get you to your certification as well as online support with a given timescale and training days.. (its a module not one great big training course with no end in sight) that to me sounds reasonable.

[Stevolfc]

When I phoned them in Feb I was told BPF was not the same company as Barclays Bank I tried to tell her I did not see the difference.. but she insisted that it was so.. as if their boss does not report to the same chairman.

Also yes all these Billions they made profit and how? .. I get 0.7% interest on my savings account and the bosses payout all those bonuses because they have done such a good job of screwing their customers.

No other business do I know of is gauged by how much they make out of their customers.. and they say they are doing us a favour they give us a service.. well lets see it Barclays we know you read these forums..

 

why did you not consult your customers and ask what they wanted to do.. which training provider would I like to use instead?

QA has been recomended to me by the job centre(why they did not tell me this last year?) and I checked out QA's website seems to offer training packages they call them training in a box.. you get everything to get you to your certification as well as online support with a given timescale and training days.. (its a module not one great big training course with no end in sight) that to me sounds reasonable.

 

Yeah i hear what your saying about QA - we had our ITIL in work with them, they're really good!

[Boosh]

have you got a copy of the terms and conditions of the bpf loan agreement, does it state that like for like will be found if advent go into administration? i am like a few on hear that have not got a copy. cannot remember if i was given one or not. i would have put it with all the other papers i have but cannot find it anywhere in the house.

Hi I don't have a scanner to put a copy on her, but number 3 on the contract says - if the contract is not fulfilled, perhaps because the supplier has gone out of bussiness, you may still be able to sue us

 

I spoke to TS and they said that BPF has the right to fulfill the contract by finding a like for like or better company for us, therfore fulfilling the contract.

 

My God i hope there is a way out of this

[10pack]

Hi I don't have a scanner to put a copy on her, but number 3 on the contract says - if the contract is not fulfilled, perhaps because the supplier has gone out of bussiness, you may still be able to sue us

 

I spoke to TS and they said that BPF has the right to fulfill the contract by finding a like for like or better company for us, therfore fulfilling the contract.

 

My God i hope there is a way out of this

 

It depends on your definition of "like for like or better" I would prefer better, since we all have been put in this mess because firstly Barclays removed the financial backing thereby causing the training companies to stop trading.. its a direct cause and effect.

 

Yes I agree that the training companies should not have been so reliant on this backing.

and I want to know where is all of the money that was paid by Barclays.. where has it gone? since each student has in effect paid upfront.. there should not have been a situation of a cash flow shortage.. its seems to me that the owners of Advent syphoned off cash which many business call "the float" and left the company with just enough to run on and thereby leaving it very vurnerable to a sudden change in situations.

And the boss is probably on holiday somewhere sunning himself and smiling.

Remember the saying what goes around comes around.

Edited March 30, 2010 by 10pack

[parand]

Also it's recommended that someone should be employed in IT with experience of at least 18month in that field before attempting MCSE

 

Roadie I would need to find out for sure but if an account is on hold and then in Dispute then I don't think they should add the interest. as this is Unfair Practices. Until the matter is resolved the account should be frozen at the stage prior to them finding a provider and until a service is being provided then we're still in the same position. We are not receiving anything.

They've found a provider whoopee but we're still in the same position and the time is still ticking

 

 

well, I am in the exact same position , the interest free period end in may, and as I said yesterday, I called BFP and she reapeatedly said NO! she said: i wont put your account on hold even if you ask me 100 more time! !!!!!!!! this is her exact saying( with a very rude manner that shows obviousley she enjoyd my missery!!!!!!) i asked for her manager , that no one was arround and no one never call me back!!!!!!!!!!!! ask for complain department! she said NO!!!!!!!you have to call Computeach!!! .......you wont believe how horrible was it!!that time i started to cry histricly!!!!!!! ( I've got kind of deppretion over all these!... over advent's lies and barcleys stealing in daylight!!!!.... )...

well, we are in a different position, if we wont pay that in full next month, as their horrible costumer service reapetedly said, they gonna double it.....

well, may be you are lukier with your account frozen,,,,,,,,

they

've never reply my letters wrote by the uk free legal solicitors and they are not gonna!!!!!!!

 

this was the WORST service i've ever had.............

Edited March 30, 2010 by parand

[Boosh]

Hi if anyone is going to write another letter to BPF or CT complaining of this situation, please can you put a template up on here as I am not that good at writing letters on this scale of importance

 

Also it seems that a few of you have already spoken to the Ombudsman I thought we had to wait for 8 weeks from when we first had the email from advent

[Bluedo]

Hi I don't have a scanner to put a copy on her, but number 3 on the contract says - if the contract is not fulfilled, perhaps because the supplier has gone out of bussiness, you may still be able to sue us

 

I spoke to TS and they said that BPF has the right to fulfill the contract by finding a like for like or better company for us, therfore fulfilling the contract.

 

My God i hope there is a way out of this

 

Hi Boosh I was told by TS wait see who the new provider is and if it's unsuitable then we have the right to request a refund.

Computeach is highly unsuitable as their present students are seeking a lawsuit and want their money back for poor service and lack of support so with all us lot on top I'd imagine the service will be strained to breaking point. (I hope:))

[Boosh]

Hi Boosh I was told by TS wait see who the new provider is and if it's unsuitable then we have the right to request a refund.

Computeach is highly unsuitable as their present students are seeking a lawsuit and want their money back for poor service and lack of support so with all us lot on top I'd imagine the service will be strained to breaking point. (I hope:))

will you be putting this in a letter to bpf? Also do you think it is too late to complain to the ombudsman?

[10pack]

Hi Boosh I was told by TS wait see who the new provider is and if it's unsuitable then we have the right to request a refund.

Computeach is highly unsuitable as their present students are seeking a lawsuit and want their money back for poor service and lack of support so with all us lot on top I'd imagine the service will be strained to breaking point. (I hope:))

 

Thats another good point.

When I first contacted barclays the person who took my call mentioned that barclays had over 6,000 students in the same position as myself.

I dont believe that computeach could take on so many students at the same time there is no way they would have the capacity to take on such a large amount of students at the same time, so if we was to accept ct, we will be waiting for months before they can even give us the level of support that they favour their existing students at the moment.

 

We will not be getting like for like.. never mind better.. for many many months

[Bluedo]

Parand seems they laying it on heavy if you've yet to start paying or like me my first payment started beginning march and 5 days later they added a non payment charge and have now sent a demand for payment of arrears but what I said earlier is what would be the fair thing to do.

Obviously they're not acting in a fair manner.

Martin has started a new thread

"Advent/ Barclays Partner Finance/Hitachi+payment demands".

To get an idea of how they can help people who will be hounded for payment. and how many there are at the min it's just me

 

Boosh no it's not too late to complain to the FOS I'll be going to talk to TS before I do anything about the new provider

I have sent a reply about the demand for payment and sent complaint letters to BPF the only replies I've had are we're sourcing a new provider don't worry, and result of complaint? a demand for payment and a £20 charge

Edited March 30, 2010 by Bluedo

[Boosh]

Parand seems they laying it on heavy if you've yet to start paying or like me my first payment started beginning march and 5 days later they added a non payment charge and have now sent a demand for payment of arrears but what I said earlier is what would be the fair thing to do.

Obviously they're not acting in a fair manner.

Martin has started a new thread

"Advent/ Barclays Partner Finance/Hitachi+payment demands".

To get an idea of how they can help people who will be hounded for payment. and how many there are at the min it's just me

 

Boosh no it's not too late to complain to the FOS I'll be going to talk to TS before I do anything about the new provider

I have sent a reply about the demand for payment and sent complaint letters to BPF the only replies I've had are we're sourcing a new provider don't worry, and result of complaint? a demand for payment and a £20 charge

Hi Bluedo

 

the only letter i have sent to bpf is a cancellation letter due to only just receiving my credit agreement, which was 8 weeks ago, they have not replied to it, i am now waiting for a call from TS

[Lankus]

Hi all, did someone post a link the other day about OLCI having a dodgy financial situation? I can't find it now

[Bluedo]

WebCHeck - Select and Access Company Information

 

Is this any good to you

Edited March 31, 2010 by Bluedo

[Fuzzbutt]

I posted some questions to Computeach today and here's the reply.....

 

CT reply

I’ll do my best with your questions!

 

You will cover various packages and programmes during the course, DreamWeaver, Flash, Fireworks etc. You learn this in a simulated online environment. i.e. You can log into the software online and learn how to use it, without actually having to purchase it yourself.

 

The workshop days are completely optional. They are there as an additional support measure for those students who need it.

 

We provide you with software that allows you to take practice/mock exams all the way through your programme. Before you go in for your ‘real’ exam you will take an official online mock exam where the results come to ourselves. Should you pass that, we book you in for the real one. We set a passmark of 90% for this, which is higher than you will need for your actual exam. The reason for this is we want you to be totally confident that you will pass when you go in for your exam. Historically we have an 85% first time pass rate. That has increased since we introduced this system.

 

At the end of the 12 months, if you have not completed your studies you can extend your training at that time. You do not have to subscribe for another full 12 months, you would continue on a month to month basis until you have completed it. Obviously we encourage you to maintain your studies so that you don’t pay any more than you need too.

 

If you fail an exam, we don’t cover resits unfortunately. However, with the system we have above, that shouldn’t cause you any problems as we want you to pass first time!

 

With regards to the careers department, we can’t guarantee you an actual job as we are not the company that will be employing you. We can guarantee to get you interviews lined up however.

 

As soon as you have passed the second of the CIW modules, the careers team can start work for you. They work closely with companies all over the UK, companies with whom we have placed students on a regular basis previously. They will look to get you interviews lines up, however it is still your responsibility of course to go along to the interview on time, dress smartly, be polite. I’m sure you know the drill!

 

Before you go however, the careers team can do some work for you. They will give you a mock interview so that you are fully prepared and know the kind of questions you are likely to be asked. They will also help you prepare your cv and be on hand for any advice careers related. Their main aim however is to find job roles for you.

 

Upon completion of your final qualification they can then be looking for a senior web design role for you.

 

They would look for these positions in the area that you specify! We recommend around a 15-20 mile radius.

 

Hope that helps!

 

I'd asked ...

I do have a few questions though please...

 

I can't see anything that lists the web design software packages that are covered for Master CIW Designer (such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop etc). Are these part of the course, and where do they feature?

 

It's unlikely I'll be able to attend workshop days as I work and live in Bristol with family, so taking time off mid-week with overnight stays in Dudley (an added expense), plus taking time off work at my own expense is not an option. Could I still complete the course without doing these modules?

 

What is the pass mark expected? Do we do mock exams first?

 

If you over-run the 12 month contract period do you need to pay more to complete (it says flexible learning at your own pace but how flexible is that?)

 

If you don't pass the expected exam within that period, do you have to pay extra again to re-take exams?

 

What does the job support entail? Does CT guarantee work placements in companies local to your area?

 

 

Many thanks and sorry there are so many questions.

I look forward to hearing further.

 

 

So there you go!

No you have to pay more as you go along on top of what's already been paid to Barclays and you have to pay for re-sits. Advent promised unlimited time and as many goes as you needed to pass your exams.

 

So that's not like for like by any stretch!

[Boosh]

ok i have just emailed the ombudsman, so just have to wait for a reply

[cHankin]

hi,i've been following this for a long time now,just aint posted yet,because they have now passed me onto computeach,i started this so called course feb last year,when the guy came out,he said i would get a job,with a better salary that i am on now,to pay for this course,he basically garenteed i'd get a better job in four months..and since then,i've only recieved one FOLDER,and never heard from them since,until now,and there not around no more,am scared in a way,because now its goin up to 11k and i just aint got that.

[Boosh]

I posted some questions to Computeach today and here's the reply.....

 

CT reply

I’ll do my best with your questions!

 

You will cover various packages and programmes during the course, DreamWeaver, Flash, Fireworks etc. You learn this in a simulated online environment. i.e. You can log into the software online and learn how to use it, without actually having to purchase it yourself.

 

The workshop days are completely optional. They are there as an additional support measure for those students who need it.

 

We provide you with software that allows you to take practice/mock exams all the way through your programme. Before you go in for your ‘real’ exam you will take an official online mock exam where the results come to ourselves. Should you pass that, we book you in for the real one. We set a passmark of 90% for this, which is higher than you will need for your actual exam. The reason for this is we want you to be totally confident that you will pass when you go in for your exam. Historically we have an 85% first time pass rate. That has increased since we introduced this system.

 

At the end of the 12 months, if you have not completed your studies you can extend your training at that time. You do not have to subscribe for another full 12 months, you would continue on a month to month basis until you have completed it. Obviously we encourage you to maintain your studies so that you don’t pay any more than you need too.

 

If you fail an exam, we don’t cover resits unfortunately. However, with the system we have above, that shouldn’t cause you any problems as we want you to pass first time!

 

With regards to the careers department, we can’t guarantee you an actual job as we are not the company that will be employing you. We can guarantee to get you interviews lined up however.

 

As soon as you have passed the second of the CIW modules, the careers team can start work for you. They work closely with companies all over the UK, companies with whom we have placed students on a regular basis previously. They will look to get you interviews lines up, however it is still your responsibility of course to go along to the interview on time, dress smartly, be polite. I’m sure you know the drill!

 

Before you go however, the careers team can do some work for you. They will give you a mock interview so that you are fully prepared and know the kind of questions you are likely to be asked. They will also help you prepare your cv and be on hand for any advice careers related. Their main aim however is to find job roles for you.

 

Upon completion of your final qualification they can then be looking for a senior web design role for you.

 

They would look for these positions in the area that you specify! We recommend around a 15-20 mile radius.

 

Hope that helps!

 

I'd asked ...

I do have a few questions though please...

 

I can't see anything that lists the web design software packages that are covered for Master CIW Designer (such as Dreamweaver, Photoshop etc). Are these part of the course, and where do they feature?

 

It's unlikely I'll be able to attend workshop days as I work and live in Bristol with family, so taking time off mid-week with overnight stays in Dudley (an added expense), plus taking time off work at my own expense is not an option. Could I still complete the course without doing these modules?

 

What is the pass mark expected? Do we do mock exams first?

 

If you over-run the 12 month contract period do you need to pay more to complete (it says flexible learning at your own pace but how flexible is that?)

 

If you don't pass the expected exam within that period, do you have to pay extra again to re-take exams?

 

What does the job support entail? Does CT guarantee work placements in companies local to your area?

 

 

Many thanks and sorry there are so many questions.

I look forward to hearing further.

 

 

So there you go!

No you have to pay more as you go along on top of what's already been paid to Barclays and you have to pay for re-sits. Advent promised unlimited time and as many goes as you needed to pass your exams.

 

So that's not like for like by any stretch!

 

Well well well, great news as proves not like for like as we have to pay more money, what should we do now?

[cHankin]

yeh,what should we do? thanks for all your help guys