Apr 06 2007
BT Directories
I can’t believe it, those nice guys at Aaland (who let us use some of their server space) are getting bullied by the arrogant debt collection agency that BT has set on them! Seems that over two years ago BT mis-represented themselves and sold Aaland an entry in the directory under false pretences.
Whenever I buy any advertising in printed form I always expect proofs, that I sign off, in plenty of time to make any changes. It seems that Aaland insisted on proofs, didn’t get them and justifiably cancelled but BT went ahead and printed, complete with errors anyway. Now BT demands money (with menaces and after illegally attempting to re-instate a cancelled Direct Debit) for a really poor service and seems surprised the people at Aaland have refused payment.
Oh, for those of you who want to know, the debt collections agency is Credit Solutions from Purley in Surrey. Very aggressive, ill-informed and shabby organisation (I’ve overheard some of the conversations). Guy’s, the debt is disputed, that means it’s illegal for you to pursue it. BT has been given ample opportuniy to discuss this and refused. The ball is in their court.
Incidentally, why couldn’t the guys at Aaland cancel? Simple really, BT did not disclose the fact that they were signing an agreement for which the cancellation period had already expired! To be able to cancel they would have had to have given notice 6 weeks before they signed up. Talk about underhand.
Watch this space - we’ll let you know what happens next 
Oh dear, it seems good old BT and Credit Solutions have upset more than few people here’s some more examples:
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=4340989
Credit Solutions and other Companies:
http://www.ixat.net/Default.asp?PageID=21&PostID=3422
And, if you’re having problems with Credit Solutions, or any debt collection agency, then read this:
http://www.consumeractiongroup.co.uk/forum/egg/8422-egg-dlc-debt-collectors.html
Get further advice from here:
http://www.cccs.co.uk/
Don’t be intimidated by these faceless pariahs who get rich by shafting anyone they can
Seems as though Credit Solutions is the Company of choice when some large, faceless Corporation wants to beat up some unfortunate customer for failing to understand the small-print or taking offence when they don’t get what they ordered. You know, working broadband, that sort of thing.
It seems that MBNA, BT, Carphone Warehouse and Egg all use this unscrupulous debt collection agency. So, we know what to do - don’t use MBNA, BT, Carphone Warehouse or Egg, and cancel everything you currently have…:-)
Apparently, a letter from Aaland to the Chief Executive at BT, one Ben Verwaayen, failed to move them so it looks like the poor customer service is by design!
I am still watching this space….did nothing happen in May????
Actually, a few things happened, I guess I was just a bit lost for words!
After much consideration Aaland decided to engage a solicitor who’s advice was to formalise a complaint for ‘breach of contract by contingency’ and a letter was duly sent off. However, it seems that corporate practice is to ignore such things and continue to bully their way through which is what BT Directories appear to be doing. They haven’t had the decency to respond to the solicitor.
Apparently, organisations just grind people down until they give up and they can get away with this as it is perfectly legal! Oh well, looks like all Aaland can do is tell as many people as possible what an untrustworthy and shabby organisation BT Directories is.
So, want to get ripped off? Just go to BT Directories for the fully comprehensive service.
Odd isn’t it. We left BT some months back for failure to deliver a decent broadband system, and for hiked billing. At the beginning of April they informed us we owed them £105.31. Which I ignored, we owed them nothing, I made that clear when we switched.
Now Credit Solutions are threatening a visit with a 72hour deadline, we can’t phone them on the number provided in their letter, because it’s out of order…..oooh the irony.
So I’m looking forward to their visit, greatly. Be nice to tell them face to face to ‘eff off’.
Paul - Nantwich
I doubt it will come to that as Credit Solutions are very good at threats, not so good on the action front.
What you will probably find is they ramp up the telephone persecution and try a variety of ploys to frighten/bully you into settling with them. The guys at Aaland had months of this.
I would check your Terms & Conditions and ask BT for a breakdown of what, exactly, the £105.31 is for as they might reveal their own error i.e. are they trying to bill you for service AFTER you moved supplier?
They may also be trying to bill you for the unexpired portion of a 12 month contract and that might be a bit more difficult to avoid.
Whatever you do, you are NOT required to deal with Credit Solutions, deal with BT direct.
Good luck!