Jump to content


  • Tweets

  • Posts

    • Yes typed it, how would I input it any other way, probably timed out took over half hour. H
    • You typed it in? actually typed it all out? if so, maybe you took too long or something, like session timed out. Does the status show defence filed or no change?
    • Hi just typed all defence clicked next and it's deleted all. Any help
    • I forgot to say, there is one last possibility and that is that they will receive your letter of rejection and simply fold, accept the rejection and refund you. Don't wait too long for this. Seven days maximum – but in that seven days you could send your letter of claim anyway and when that you don't hear from them or when they start mucking around at least you are seven days closer to beginning the legal action – and they will know it (which is the important thing).
    • Okay that is excellent that you have an email between the garage and the warranty company confirming that there is a serious problem with the gearbox. That is very powerful evidence. I think the situation is this: you have sent them a letter of rejection but the reputation of big motoring world is that they won't take a lot of notice and they will try to prevaricate and maybe even blame you. Clearly you don't want the car any more and anyway it sounds as if the cost of repairs is going to be enormous. You don't know if the warranty company is going to step up to the mark but the whole thing is going to take a long time and I understand that you have lost confidence in big motoring world because of this event and also their reputation which you are now discovering on Facebook and on this forum and no doubt elsewhere. On the basis that you don't want the car any more and you want your money back, you need to hurry things along. I think the first thing is that you need to decide if you are prepared to bring a claim in the County Court. Even without the warranty money, the claim is worth more than £10,000. For actions less than £10,000, you bring a "small claim" and this means that even if you lose the case you won't be liable for the other side's costs. If you win the case then not only will you get your money plus interest but also you will recover all of the costs of the action. For actions more than £10,000, you go to something called the "fast track" and in the event that you lose the case, then you could be liable to reimburse the winner some of the costs. This means that in addition to not recovering your own money, you would lose your own court fees and also you would have to to bear the costs of the other side probably something less than £5000 – but as a rough guess. If you bring your court claim then your chances of success are almost 100%. Frankly if you brought a court claim then I can imagine that big motoring world will put their hands up and pay you out rather than face go to court and losing and getting a judgement against them. However, it you need to consider that this is a risk factor – although my view it is a negligible risk factor. If you did bring a court case, it wouldn't be instant. If they put their hands up then it would probably happen very quickly. If they didn't put their hands up then you could take anything up to a year for the matter to be resolved and during that time you would be without your car and without your money and in the middle of litigation. I'm explaining this to you say that you understand how it works. Bring a court case would be really the last resort when everything else has failed. However, I'm quite certain that you would win and it would be stupid of big motoring world to try to resist. In order to bring a court case you would have to send a letter of claim giving them 14 days to accept rejection and organise the refund otherwise you would begin the claim. Don't imagine that you could bluff this. If you did send a letter of claim then you would have to go through with it otherwise you lose all credibility and you might as well pack up and go home. So with this in mind, here are possible courses of action you could take. You can simply wait and see what their reaction to your letter of rejection will be. However they may not reply or else they may find some other reason to delay and of course during that time you will be without your car and without your money blah blah blah, not knowing if big motoring world were going eventually to start acting sensibly and respectfully towards you. The second thing you can do – and I think this has been suggested on Facebook – is that you can go along there and simply make yourself present and talk to other customers and generally speaking make a nuisance of yourself and embarrass them to the point where you would be explaining to other potential customers to be careful, to look on Facebook, and to do some careful research before they put their business to big motoring world. This has a reasonable chance of success although you would have to be careful. You should go accompanied by a friend and there should be no anger, no arguments, nothing that could be considered as being overly aggressive so that big motoring world would have no justification in kicking you out or even worse, calling the police. If you did this, then I would suggest that you record everything on the telephone carried in a pocket. A fully charged battery will probably keep a voice recorder and a telephone going for more than 20 hours or 30 hours. The other person can video any incidents so that everything is clear and you can inform big motoring world then it will be going up on the Internet. If you did this, my favourite option would be to issue the letter of claim giving them 14 days, and then going along to big motoring world with a copy of your letter of rejection and a copy of the exchange between the mechanic and the warranty company and a copy of your letter of claim – all settled together – and probably about 20 or 30 copies in all and I would start handing them out to any customers who came in. Big motoring world will soon get the picture and they will either move your the premises in which case you stand outside and carry on doing it or they will finally give in. Of course there is a chance that they won't give in and they will simply call your bluff – but in that case I think you have no choice other than to follow through with your 14 day threat in the letter of claim and to begin the legal action. At the same time you should be putting up reviews on Google and also trust pilot explaining exactly what has happened and also explaining that the mechanic has confirmed to the warranty company that there is the serious problem, that you have asserted the right to reject and that this is been ignored by big motoring world and that you have now sent a letter of claim and that you will be starting a legal action in 14 days. Once again, don't bluff about the legal action. If you threaten it – then you must mean it – and on day 15 you click of the claim. You don't need a solicitor for any of this. It's all fairly straightforward and of course we will help you all the way that it the decision is yours to make and I think you need to make it fairly quickly. I think the cost of starting an action for about £13,000 is 5% and then also if it goes to trial which I would say is almost impossible – there would be an additional fee. You would claim interest at 8%. A judge might award a lower figure but frankly if you can show that big motoring world is attempting to ride roughshod over your very clear statutory consumer rights, I can imagine that the judge will want to show displeasure by awarding the full 8% which is a pretty good rate – even though it's not compensation for the hassle and the distress you are going through. If you decide to get solicitor, then if you win the case, because it is over £10,000 you will recover some of your costs but you won't recover all of them. If the solicitor begins by having exchanges of letters then I doubt whether you will be up to recover the cost of those and you could easily find that you're chalking up 500 quid or even a thousand simply on initial exchanges of correspondence. Also you need to bear in mind that if after having exchanges with a solicitor, big motoring world cave in – then you definitely won't get those costs back because you won't have gone to court and therefore a judge will not have made the order for payment of those costs. I suggest very strongly that you avoid paying any money for a solicitor and that you do it yourself. It's not a big deal – although you will have to you react quickly to the help we offer on this forum. Also, an additional benefit is that you will learn a lot and you will gain confidence and eventually you will feel good about suing anybody else who gets in your way. Nothing not to like! If you do decide to instruct a solicitor then you must take control of the solicitor. Most of them prefer to sit in an office writing letters on the clock. If you do decide to instruct a solicitor then you must instruct the solicitor very firmly that they should send one letter of complaint giving seven days. A second letter – a letter of claim giving 14 days and that they must then begin the action. If you don't do this. If you don't take control then it will simply cost you money, you will be without your car even longer and of course without your money. The whole thing is a nightmare. I think I've laid out the options but please do ask questions. I hope you can see that this is the kind of advice that you won't be getting on Facebook. Nothing against Facebook. It's good as a meeting place and to make people realise that they aren't on their own – but after that the advice given is weak and confusing.  
  • Our picks

    • If you are buying a used car – you need to read this survival guide.
      • 1 reply
    • Hello,

      On 15/1/24 booked appointment with Big Motoring World (BMW) to view a mini on 17/1/24 at 8pm at their Enfield dealership.  

      Car was dirty and test drive was two circuits of roundabout on entry to the showroom.  Was p/x my car and rushed by sales exec and a manager into buying the mini and a 3yr warranty that night, sale all wrapped up by 10pm.  They strongly advised me taking warranty out on car that age (2017) and confirmed it was honoured at over 500 UK registered garages.

      The next day, 18/1/24 noticed amber engine warning light on dashboard , immediately phoned BMW aftercare team to ask for it to be investigated asap at nearest garage to me. After 15 mins on hold was told only their 5 service centres across the UK can deal with car issues with earliest date for inspection in March ! Said I’m not happy with that given what sales team advised or driving car. Told an amber warning light only advisory so to drive with caution and call back when light goes red.

      I’m not happy to do this, drive the car or with the after care experience (a sign of further stresses to come) so want a refund and to return the car asap.

      Please can you advise what I need to do today to get this done. 
       

      Many thanks 
      • 81 replies
    • Housing Association property flooding. https://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/topic/438641-housing-association-property-flooding/&do=findComment&comment=5124299
      • 161 replies
    • We have finally managed to obtain the transcript of this case.

      The judge's reasoning is very useful and will certainly be helpful in any other cases relating to third-party rights where the customer has contracted with the courier company by using a broker.
      This is generally speaking the problem with using PackLink who are domiciled in Spain and very conveniently out of reach of the British justice system.

      Frankly I don't think that is any accident.

      One of the points that the judge made was that the customers contract with the broker specifically refers to the courier – and it is clear that the courier knows that they are acting for a third party. There is no need to name the third party. They just have to be recognisably part of a class of person – such as a sender or a recipient of the parcel.

      Please note that a recent case against UPS failed on exactly the same issue with the judge held that the Contracts (Rights of Third Parties) Act 1999 did not apply.

      We will be getting that transcript very soon. We will look at it and we will understand how the judge made such catastrophic mistakes. It was a very poor judgement.
      We will be recommending that people do include this adverse judgement in their bundle so that when they go to county court the judge will see both sides and see the arguments against this adverse judgement.
      Also, we will be to demonstrate to the judge that we are fair-minded and that we don't mind bringing everything to the attention of the judge even if it is against our own interests.
      This is good ethical practice.

      It would be very nice if the parcel delivery companies – including EVRi – practised this kind of thing as well.

       

      OT APPROVED, 365MC637, FAROOQ, EVRi, 12.07.23 (BRENT) - J v4.pdf
        • Like

Any Answers?


style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 6522 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Recommended Posts

Had a call from Stuart Johnson at MBNA, who would like me to suggest to him what would be a reasonable offer of settlement! He was aware of my DPA request, but wants to" Nip things in the bud"! Obviously without full details of all the charges applied, it's very difficult to estimate what would be fair in any event. Further, MBNA acquired the credit card account from Alliance & Leicester in November 2003, and much to my surprise do not have any records relating to accounts prior to that. I wonder why, as he tries to maintain the bank's position on charges he is so keen(apparently) to settle this without being able to provide me with access to my account details. I have told him I'm perfectly prepared to be fair, and am not prepared to guess at settlement figures. He also acknowledged the fact that in a previous call I made the bank, it was admitted by two separate individuals(who cite themselves as a senior members of the bank) that these charges were in fact penalties. They also admitted that no-one at the bank had any knowledge in detail of the unfair consumer contracts act 1999, but that in any event, regardless of what that stated, it didn't apply to them anyway!

 

My question, however, is this: if I were to agree to settle with MBNA, where would that leave me in respect of previous charges made by A&L when they owned the card? And more importantly, if I decided to take MBNA to court,

can I only sue them back as far as November 2003, and would I have to take separate action against A&L for charges imposed prior to that?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

Link to post
Share on other sites

My question, however, is this: if I were to agree to settle with MBNA, where would that leave me in respect of previous charges made by A&L when they owned the card? And more importantly, if I decided to take MBNA to court,

can I only sue them back as far as November 2003, and would I have to take separate action against A&L for charges imposed prior to that?

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

 

Moreover, why am I getting letters on A&L headed paper, threatening defaults etc, if in fact its actually MBNA? Is this harrassment? I am beginning to feel that this lot is very tricky..so if anyone has any suggestions, I'd really appreciate it.

Link to post
Share on other sites

This is ridiculous how on earth can you agree a settlement if you dont know how much is owed! I would tell him thatyou will give him a figure when you receive your statements/list of charges. This is not compensation for bad service or something it is your money they have taken illegally.

 

Its your decision but I wouldnt agree to anything until I knew the exact figures. It sounds as though you have them backed into a corner and they are desperately looking for a way out.

 

I'm not sure about the A&L question but I'm sure someone will know

If you find my post helpful please click on the scales at the top. Thank you

FAQ SECTION HERE

 

Halifax Bank Claim filed and settled

Halifax Credit Card settled

Argos Store Card settled

 

CCA requests sent to

Halifax Credit Card

LLoyds TSB Credit Card

Capital One

Moorcroft (Argos)

NDR

18/06/09

Link to post
Share on other sites

i managed to agree to a settlement with HFC without knowing how much was owed. lol. to this day im unsure exactly how much was, there again i never signed any documents showing i settled so perhaps i shuold do a DPA request.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for your replies..I tend to agree with you, but now it gets creepier! I sent a brief email (rather than one of my more direct emauls) just so I could get a little space..I get a reply back 2 (yes 2) minutes later where he writes like we're old muckers, signing himself off with his forename. At this rate he'll be asking me out to dinner, or invite me to go scuba diving in the Maldives!

The moment I get some feedback on issue regarding the legal distinction and liability between A&L and MBNA, I'll let everyone know how this is progressing. Thanks for your thoughts, much appreciated.

Link to post
Share on other sites

it looks like A+L may be ready to deal:(see crafty negotiation thread), however, I would still like to know whether or not I need to file a claim against both A+L and MBNA, since theyve only owned the card since Nov2003. Do I need to go after A+L for amounts proir to that? I'm just not quite sure how to proceed in order to finish it off properly, without impairing any other claim i may have. Any replies/help would really be welcome! Thanks in advance.

Link to post
Share on other sites

In the light of the recent ruling from the OFT declaring these charges as illegal (rather than unlawful)(source Daily Mail), if the bank now continues to charge, are they committing a crime that can be prosecuted? One or two of my previous threads (crafty negotiations/ getting there) also need some feed back, as I will be litigating in the next 10 days, so I need to be fully up and loaded for this.Any help, any suggestions any advice much appreciated.

Link to post
Share on other sites

As far as criminal liability you would have to show beyond reaonable doubt that the bank was acting dishonesty.

 

You would have to be vey lucky to find this evidence.

 

leave it.

 

 

 

Your best bet is to read the guidance notes in the library - especially as to standard of proof.

You only have to persuade the judge onthe balance of probablities that the charges are unlawful - and I think that the OFT report does this quite well.

If it goes as far as receiviing a defence, then we would like to see it before you respond.

Link to post
Share on other sites

In the light of the recent ruling from the OFT declaring these charges as illegal

It was only a statement to which the banks have about 8 weeks to reply. Until it is made law that the charges are illegal we shouldn't think about it. Better off doing all we can to help prove the case in the way we are currently doing...

Alecto, Magaera et Tisiphone: Nemesis on Earth is come.

 

All advice and opinions given by Spiceskull are personal, and are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.

Link to post
Share on other sites

I would go against whatever address appears on the statements.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The bank recently offered to refund sufficient charges to bring my overdraft within its limit.(note, the ONLY reason its over limit is because of those charges..) I sent a formal request which expires on Sat.15/4. Ive also sent a DPA request in too. Both have been ignored/not responded to. Now the Bank tells me theyve issued a default notice. Since the amount they claim is made up of these charges anyway, and if they had refunded them as they are supposed to I would be in credit by a substantial amount, does this mean I can bring an action for defamation of character? And if so, should I go after the person that sent me the letter, the bank, or both?

 

I am playing fair by following the guidelines reccommended on your site, but should I now just issue a summons anyway, without giving them a further 10 days? All help will be massively appreciated. Thanks in advance for your advice and suggestions.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all!

 

Sorry to hear about your problem,Unholy Alliance.

 

I have a similar problem with a credit card but not A&L.

 

I think I can answer some of your questions:

 

The person who wrote to you is writing in the capacity of a rep from the bank so you sue the bank.

 

From what I understand,a default notice is NOT a default.All this document is the threat to default you for your breach in the agreement with the bank.

 

In order to find out whether you have been defaulted or not,you would need to contact the credit reference agencies - Experian and Equifax.

 

Get your credit file and then post the details,so we can help you further.

 

You should be able to sue for defamation provided that there is any incorrect negative data entered on your credit file.Also that you have suffered distress and loss i.e.having to pay higher interest rates for credit or refused credit facilities.Personally,I think that if your credit file shows any incorrect info and no defaults you should be able to sue.

 

I must admit I do not know enough about this subject to give you any further proper guidance and perhaps someone with more knowledge can kindly shed some light on this.

 

I hope you find this information useful.

 

Keep us posted.

 

All the best!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Thanks for that. I will run a credit check, but with these people its one step at a time. I understand their strategy in terms of settling at the last minute on a no liability basis. However advice on this site also reccommends insisting that defaults are removed as part of the settlement. Now had the default happened some while ago, before the issues became clear on the subject, then a settlement as outlined would have been acceptable. However, having notified them of my formal request , and having formally asked that they remove any defaults, it seems that they are deliberately ignoring me, and instead, going out of their way to cause grief. The defamation process in terms of litigation is a long and expensive route, and I have no idea what kind of damages I should be claiming for. That is why I had thought of going after individuals, since I doubt they'd be so smug and complacent if they had a writ served on them individually. In addition, I am working on the same principle as eg Nuremberg (no, im not suggesting they're war criminals!) but the excuse of "Im only following orders" wasnt acceptable then, and I dont see that it should be acceptable now. Individuals are responsible for this state of affairs, so shouldnt we be tatgetting them as well? Just a thought!

 

Thanks again for your reply, it is much appreciated. As the story unfolds, Ill keep the site posted.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Where does the liability fall between these two as far as the A+L credit card is concerned? MBNA acquired the card from A+L in Oct.2003 MBNA tell me that their account records only go back to the date they took over the card. So do I issue 2 separate summons - ie MBNA present -Oct 2003, and A+L Oct 2003 - Oct 1999.,

or do I go after just one for the whole period? Its getting confusing, and I need to know Im litigating against the right organisation for the right amount. Currently I am going after both, because neither is playing ball at all. Any advice, as ever, will be much appreciated.

Link to post
Share on other sites

My bank (A+L) seem to have little or no knowledge or understanding of the laws which have given rise to this site. I sent the following questions to their legal team, and will refer to them in court if I have to since, surprise surprise, I have not received a reply. However, these questions may be of use to other users of this site. Any feedback is warmly appreciated.(The below was sent to Bank 7/4/06)

 

Dear xxxxx

 

I am writing to seek clarification in respect to your banks position in relation to The Unfair Terms In Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

 

 

 

My understanding from conversations held with a number of employees within your bank is that either they are unaware of the Act, or that it simply doesn't apply as far as the banks own procedures are concerned.

 

 

 

Naturally either response falls short of reasonable explanation. With that in mind, in order to better understand why this may be so, I would like to ask the following:

 

1) When did the bank first become aware of this Act?

 

2) What steps, if any did the bank take to communicate this Act to its employees?

 

3) What amendments to the banks procedures and policies were made to ensure compliance with the Act?

 

4) What assurances can the bank give to its customers in respect of the above?

 

5) Is it possible to provide dates for 2 +3 above, and if not, why not?

 

6) Why is it that the bank staff I have spoken with assiduously avoid answering direct questions in relation to the Act?

 

7) Why would the bank contend that this particular EU/UK law does not apply to it?

 

I would very much welcome your earliest response to the above questions. I should add that I am a customer of your bank.

 

Kind regards

 

 

Yours Sincerely

 

 

Unholy Alliance

 

MODERATED threads joined ... please keep to your original thread this is for your benefit and the benefit of everyone following your claim

Link to post
Share on other sites

I sent this to A+L recently..not had a reply. Anyone out there who may have been given some answers? At the very least, I think it will make them sweat a little!(But they are very fair and reasonable questions......)

 

 

 

 

 

Dear xxxxx,

 

 

 

I am writing to seek clarification in respect to your banks position in relation to The Unfair Terms In Consumer Contracts Regulations 1999.

 

 

 

My understanding from conversations held with a number of employees within your bank is that either they are unaware of the Act, or that it simply doesn't apply as far as the banks own procedures are concerned.

 

 

 

Naturally either response falls short of reasonable explanation. With that in mind, in order to better understand why this may be so, I would like to ask the following:

 

1) When did the bank first become aware of this Act?

 

2) What steps, if any did the bank take to communicate this Act to its employees?

 

3) What amendments to the banks procedures and policies were made to ensure compliance with the Act?

 

4) What assurances can the bank give to its customers in respect of the above?

 

5) Is it possible to provide dates for 2 +3 above, and if not, why not?

 

6) Why is it that the bank staff I have spoken with assiduously avoid answering direct questions in relation to the Act?

 

7) Why would the bank contend that this particular EU/UK law does not apply to it?

 

 

 

 

 

I would very much welcome your earliest response to the above questions. I should add that I am a customer of your bank.

 

 

Kind regards

 

Yours Sincerely

 

Unholy Alliance

Link to post
Share on other sites

Good call - don't forget to post the responses here...assuming you get any...

Alecto, Magaera et Tisiphone: Nemesis on Earth is come.

 

All advice and opinions given by Spiceskull are personal, and are not endorsed by Consumer Action Group or Bank Action Group. Your decisions and actions are your own, and should you be in any doubt, you are advised to seek the opinion of a qualified professional.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi all!

 

 

Regarding the defaults I would see to get my credit file from both credit reference agencies.Then get your refund together with a request for your credit files to be amended.

 

If they do not agree,I would have thought that you would apply to the County Court for an Injunction - i.e. to force A&L to amend the credit files.In addition to this you,you would request damages to put you in the position had A&L not put the dafaults on your credit files in the first place.

 

I would have also thought that if you informed the credit reference agencies that once you receive the refund for the unlawful charges and they refuse to amend the credit files,you would also have a claim against them(regardless whether whether A&L aceepted liability or not - especially after the very recent OFT ruling).However,I would thought it would be lesser as they received the processed data from the lender and it was not them that processed it themselves merely being updated upon receipt.

 

I cannot comment on the level of damages you would receive.

 

As mentioned before,I have a similar problem but not with A&L.

 

With regards to your letter,I feel A&L will try and dodge your questions in one way or the other.

 

FROM MY PERSONAL EXPERIENCE....

 

These banksters excel in being evasive when answering questions!

 

By not answering at all!

 

I hope you find this information useful.

 

Keep us posted.

 

Any more questions,please feel free to ask.

 

All the best!

Link to post
Share on other sites

style="text-align: center;">  

Thread Locked

because no one has posted on it for the last 6522 days.

If you need to add something to this thread then

 

Please click the "Report " link

 

at the bottom of one of the posts.

 

If you want to post a new story then

Please

Start your own new thread

That way you will attract more attention to your story and get more visitors and more help 

 

Thanks

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.
  • Recently Browsing   0 Caggers

    • No registered users viewing this page.

  • Have we helped you ...?


×
×
  • Create New...