Open and Direct / Land of Leather - advice needed

[jjenn]

Hi, I found this site after searching on "open and direct" and "complaint".

 

We bought 2 sofas from Land of Leather on 24th Jan 2006, on a 12 months interest free deal (finance from Open and Direct)

 

On January 14th I sent a cheque to them to pay the sofas off (the documentation said this was the only way I could pay). This gave plenty of time for the cheque to reach them, and to clear.

 

On Jan 25th (i.e. yesterday, the day after the payment date) I realised the amount had not come out of my bank account yet. (but not until evening, so too late to phone Open and Direct to ask if they'd received it)

 

My fiance phoned them this morning - they claim they have not received the cheque and so we owed them £1794 (original amount = £1028. i.e. £766 more, just two days after the payment date!

 

Unfortunately we did not get proof of postage. But it all seems a little too convenient (for them) - oh, we didn't get your cheque... give us an extra £766.

 

My fiance paid this amount (which he was actually able to do using our debit card over the phone - why was I told I could only post a cheque??) as they basically threatened that if we didn't, the amount would start climbing. (and the swines took an extra £1 to take the payment by debit card over phone!!!!!)

 

Can someone please help, how do I get this money back??????

 

Jen

 

PS can you tell I am ABSOLUTELY FUMING!!!!!!?????