View Full Version : FREE WOK 1001 RECIPES HELP
lizbee
16-12-2004, 1:29 PM
Sorry about this I did not know where to post it.
After all the trouble we had at the begining of the month with the free wok offer I decided to cancel it, I emailed them 3 times and telephoned once they told me they had canceled my order. This morning I have had recipe cards delivered again.
Has any one else had the same, as I am not sure what to do about them this time, any body out there got any idea.
ignore them. They'll go away eventually.
or you could phone them again and explain whats happened... if you're brave! :)
tinalives
16-12-2004, 2:57 PM
Lizbee, I don't know what I'll do if they send them to me too, I hadn't thought that far ahead :-/
Marigold123
16-12-2004, 4:31 PM
These companies always do this. The same thing happened to me with Wildlife Factfile a few years back, AND some Kings & Queens factfile thing AND some dippy dinosaurs Play and Learn CD-Rom offer I got for my daughter.
They just hope you'll keep it and pay for it. If I know I have already cancelled and they send me another, I just put it back in the post marked 'return to sender' and let them pay the return postage.
What happens then is you probably get the next one in the series because, in theory, the return address on the package is different from the membership address, and they pretend they haven't seen it in time to prevent the next mailing.
Then when you get the next bill asking you to pay for the lot you've sent back a month ago, you phone them up ask why you're being asked to pay for something you sent back, and which you were sent AFTER you cancelled your membership. Then they grumble a bit and cancel the outstanding amount and your membership.
That is what often happens to me, anyway. Not always, but often. Just make sure you always send back the packs you don't want as soon as you receive them, then they haven't got a leg to stand on, as their T&Cs state that you are under no obligation and can cancel at any time.
Still haven't seen my Wok yet, though.
tinalives
16-12-2004, 4:33 PM
Good thinking Marigold!
Do they not insist on having a 'proof of return' though?
lizbee
16-12-2004, 4:56 PM
:-/ :'( >:( :( :o
Thank all for your suggestions, I tried being brave and telephoned, a very grumpy man answered and gave me the 3rd degree I was informed that if I had cancelled I would not be getting another order from them, I then asked him why I had got another set of cards he then put the telephone down on me. I will go to the Post Office and send it back and get a reciept for proof of posting, If I am feeling brave I might just try ringing again later.
tinalives
16-12-2004, 5:02 PM
Lizbee,
It doesn't sound to me like you need to bother ringing again!
Well done for getting it sorted!
Marigold123
16-12-2004, 7:50 PM
Do they not insist on having a 'proof of return' though?
I've not come across it as a problem before, but I suppose you can always take your parcel to the Post Office and put a stamp on it. I don't think they'll give you a proof of posting, otherwise.
lizbee
17-12-2004, 4:52 PM
I went to the post office this morning to get a reciept for proof of posting, but you have to get them weighed
first. It cost me £1.27 but I also sent the packet of spices and the first set of recipe cards.
Lets hope thats the end of it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! until next month.
Lychee
12-01-2005, 5:23 PM
did not receive any freebies today :( Just a letter from the Free Wok 1001 Recipes company claiming that PAYMENT IS OVERDUE! :o
I did call them up in December and spoke to someone about cancelling my order. He told me no problem, account cancelled.
I have not actually opened the letter. The envelope is so thin that I can hold it up against the light and see right through it and know what the contents are. From the front, I can see the piece of paper inside definitely says PAYMENT OVERDUE in big bold letters. From the back, where there is no return address, I can see that there is a self-addressed envelope included with the 1001 Recipes address.
I was tempted to just post it back to sender - but as aforementioned, there is no return address on the envelope! :P
Help, please? Should I just ignore it? :-/
steeev
12-01-2005, 5:57 PM
did not receive any freebies today :( Just a letter from the Free Wok 1001 Recipes company claiming that PAYMENT IS OVERDUE! :o
I did call them up in December and spoke to someone about cancelling my order. He told me no problem, account cancelled.
I have not actually opened the letter. The envelope is so thin that I can hold it up against the light and see right through it and know what the contents are. From the front, I can see the piece of paper inside definitely says PAYMENT OVERDUE in big bold letters. From the back, where there is no return address, I can see that there is a self-addressed envelope included with the 1001 Recipes address.
I was tempted to just post it back to sender - but as aforementioned, there is no return address on the envelope! :P
Help, please? Should I just ignore it? :-/
I got this letter today too, it claims i owe them £4.99 even though i rang up and cancelled within the specified time period and they told me i didnt need to bother returning anything. Im just gonna write back telling them to stick their bill where the sun dont shine.
I haven't received the wok yet or heard from them.
And I wouldn't have bothered returning the items, just would email them and tell them that they had 28 days to arrange collection
Lychee
25-02-2005, 9:27 AM
Old story now... sorry to have to drag it up again! I ignored their letter for payment and now I've got a letter from them threatening legal action! Admin charge for this has already been added on top of the £4.99 :P
I suppose I should write/call them, but any advice on what to say or do?
Thanks...
lizbee
25-02-2005, 10:09 AM
Hi lychee
I am in the same position as yourself, they ignore my emails, I have wrote twice, I sent the last lot of recipe cards back to them I have emailed them about 15 times so far, my letter came last week but mine is for £9.98 and they now say they are going to add £3.20.
If you go to the Original thread that started in September 2004 by little_present that should give you a few ideas.
It is like banging your head against a brick wall they are not listening. I have telephoned them once I can see that may be the only way to get this stopped.
Lychee
25-02-2005, 10:24 AM
Thank you so much for the reply, lizbee! I don't mean this to sound horrible but it's a relief that I'm not alone. I was just thinking that I should pay to get them off my back but your reply has made me determined NOT to give them a penny. I have not opened the recipe cards so I might return it to them at my expense. Meanwhile, I will try to e-mail and write to them. I don't fancy having to call them up again and speak to a surly 'customer service' person or argue with a manager! Did you try calling them up?
Thank you lizbee :)
lizbee
25-02-2005, 10:44 AM
HI Lychee
I know what you mean it is always better if more than one person is having the same problem and I did think ok I will give them the money just to get them off my back but it has been going on so long and why should we give them money we do not owe them.
I have only telephoned them once when I cancelled the order and I spoke to a very grumpy man who put the telephone down on me by the way it was one of those 0870 numbers but there is another number to ring, I then had to ring back and was then told it was cancelled but it was not, that happened when I went on theire website and filled a form in.
Any thing you want help with just shout. PM me and we will try and sort it out together.
Liz
flyer
25-02-2005, 11:07 AM
Don't ever be tempted to pay them just to get them off your back. At the end of the day, you are in the right and they are in the wrong. Ignore them, and bin the letters.
MimiJane
25-02-2005, 1:08 PM
I had a "Final Demand" from them this morning. After the first invoice, I rang them and told them I didn't want the recipe cards, but would keep the "free" wok. The woman I spoke to insisted I send the cards back, but must admit I didn't.
Had another invoice a little while back, send them an email and letter telling them I wasn't going to pay and asking them to close my account. No replies to anything.
Final Demand arrived this am. for £8.30 (admin. charge added), rang them up and they said I had to pay as it's on the computer I was asked to send the cards back and never did (think I binned them!).
Will probably pay now just to try and get them off my back. Holding on to all the paperwork ... just in case!
Learnt a valuable lesson here ... will be very careful what freebies I apply for in the future.:rolleyes:
This one just keeps coming back to haunt us ...
linda84
25-02-2005, 3:21 PM
I had a bill come for £4.99 sent to the wrong number house they sent the bill to me for something I didnt order.Phoned them they cancelled it.
bandwidthbandit
25-02-2005, 4:36 PM
Don't worry Lychee. i'm in the same position too. i'm sure there are many others out there in the same situation. I called to cancel about 2 months ago - the guy said no problem. today i get a letter with a final demand for £8. I'm gonna call them back again and put an end to it this now. Will let you know how i get on.
Right then, does anybody know what the non 0870 number is?
bandit
bandwidthbandit
25-02-2005, 4:42 PM
Here's the tel if anybody needs reminding:
0207 2589000
Don't waste any more of ur moolah on these guys by dialing the 0870 number.
bandwidthbandit
25-02-2005, 5:04 PM
the number above doesn't work anymore.
try the following instead. I haven't tried these yet so don't know if they work either though - i've got them from the saynoto0870 website:
0207 5631500
0207 0199556
you will know if its the right number if you go straight to a recorded message.
Took a bit of "argy bargy" but he cleared my account in the end.
bandit.
lizbee
25-02-2005, 5:49 PM
Hi Bandit
Thank you for the telephone numbers.
It looks like it is the only way to telephone like you did but I hate arguing with people particularly on the telephone.
bandwidthbandit
25-02-2005, 7:25 PM
Lizbee, you have PM.
MimiJane
25-02-2005, 9:06 PM
At the end of the day, there's really nothing to worry about if you've written/emailed to cancel your account and kept records of what you've sent. They haven't a leg to stand on and there's no way they'll be taking dozens of people to court for such small amounts of money.
Just send any further cards you might get straight back to them ... they'll get the message eventually. Not worth spending time and money sending endless emails/letters which they'll probably ignore anyway.
Marigold123
25-02-2005, 9:14 PM
At the end of the day, there's really nothing to worry about if you've written/emailed to cancel your account and kept records of what you've sent. They haven't a leg to stand on and there's no way they'll be taking dozens of people to court for such small amounts of money.More like thousands than dozens, I should think! LOL :)
z_stardust
25-02-2005, 9:20 PM
Unsolicited Goods and Services Act
Under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971, (as amended) it is an offence to demand payment for goods known to be unsolicited, in other words, they were sent to a person without any prior request made by them or on their behalf.
Someone who receives goods in these circumstances may retain them as an unconditional gift, and does not have to pay for or return any unwanted goods. Anyone who receives a demand for payment for unsolicited goods should report the matter to their local Trading Standards Department, whose details can be located from http://www.tradingstandards.gov.uk/.
Quote from dti website
It would seem that there is a potentially contentious point here regarding whether the fact the goods were originally requested and subsequently cancelled negates the appplication of the Act.
Z
Lychee
25-02-2005, 9:20 PM
Thank you for the replies! and to bandwidthbandit for the phone numbers. I've sent a PM to you and to lizbee.
This whole fiasco is definitely a lesson learned but I'm not about to give up!
steeev
26-02-2005, 1:37 AM
glad to hear im not the only one in the same situation too, theyve ignored my emails telling them that im not gonna pay for something they said was free, so i guess im gonna have to ring them on monday to sort it out. thanks for the phone numbers.
MimiJane
26-02-2005, 8:44 AM
glad to hear im not the only one in the same situation too, theyve ignored my emails telling them that im not gonna pay for something they said was free, so i guess im gonna have to ring them on monday to sort it out. thanks for the phone numbers.
Be prepared steeev ... they're not very nice people and certainly stick to their guns. Refuse to be fobbed off and don't budge.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
;)
Lychee
28-02-2005, 7:38 PM
I called IMP today and spoke to a guy for less than 3 minutes. He wasn't rude or aggressive, just sounded bored. I explained the situation, was a bit persistent... He finally said that he has closed my account and I made him confirm I don't owe any money - which he did... I really hope that's that!
Thanks again to everyone for their posts :)
bandwidthbandit
28-02-2005, 9:35 PM
well done Lychee. bet ur glad u've got it off your chest.
Vive la resistance!
steeev
01-03-2005, 2:32 PM
Be prepared steeev ... they're not very nice people and certainly stick to their guns. Refuse to be fobbed off and don't budge.
Good luck and let us know how you get on.
;)
thanks for the tips mimi and everyone.
i rang them today on 0207 0199 556 to sort it out, and you are right they do stick to their guns.
the guy i spoke to was telling me the 4.99 charge was for postage and packing, i kept telling him that the offer terms said it was completely free and there was no mention of a P+P charge at the time, I must have repeated this to him about 3 or 4 times, but he kept denying it, but in the end he gave in and cancelled my account and the bill which currently stood at £8.19. The call lasted about 4 and a half minutes.
Phew I hope this is the end of it. :rolleyes:
MimiJane
01-03-2005, 3:00 PM
thanks for the tips mimi and everyone.
i rang them today on 0207 0199 556 to sort it out, and you are right they do stick to their guns.
the guy i spoke to was telling me the 4.99 charge was for postage and packing, i kept telling him that the offer terms said it was completely free and there was no mention of a P+P charge at the time, I must have repeated this to him about 3 or 4 times, but he kept denying it, but in the end he gave in and cancelled my account and the bill which currently stood at £8.19. The call lasted about 4 and a half minutes.
Phew I hope this is the end of it. :rolleyes:
Well done steeev.:)
I gave up and paid in the end, but that was purely because I bent the truth in as much as what I told them on the 'phone they'd originally said to me. (I hoped it wasn't on their computer and it was:rolleyes: ).
lizbee
01-03-2005, 4:21 PM
Hi
Well I finally telephoned them today and what a job I had trying to go over what happened and why, at first she was adamant that I had got to pay the full amount £9.98, after I disagreed with what she said (and believe you me I was getting very annoyed) she then said alright we will not charge you for the second set of card I said you are da??ed right you will not charge me for the cards I sent them back, I gave as good as I got and when I said to her at the end that I was adamant that I was not going to pay a penny they would have to take me to Court as I had got all the evidence to prove my point she then said your account has been cancelled and your balance is zero I asked her to confirm what she had said she repeated the above she then said thank you for calling imp I laughed at that, hears hoping we will never be troubled with them again. The worst part is actually dialling the number once you start to talk you forget every thing except trying to get your point over. This is just a small part of what has happened. It was hard but worth it.
I would like to than everyone who has given encouragement particulary Lychee and Bandwithbandit.
lizbee
01-03-2005, 6:58 PM
Now I know it is true, I went on to IMPs Website put in my details:
Customer no:-xxxxxxxx
Postcode :- xxxxxxxxx
email addy :- xxxxxxxxx
MY ACCOUNT SUMMARY My Product (s)Order statusLast delivery date
Balance
Pay online
1001 RECIPES FOR PAN OR WOK (http://www.imponline-uk.com/au/jsp/public/member/my_deliveries.jsp?order=1)CANCELLED ORDER08.12.20040.00 (http://www.imponline-uk.com/au/jsp/public/member/my_payments.jsp?order=1) Total amount due0.00
Lychee
01-03-2005, 11:25 PM
Brilliant :) Am very pleased for you, lizbee.
bandwidthbandit
03-03-2005, 10:17 PM
nice one! really good to hear the success stories.
well done Lizbee. Nice to have the worry of a potential court case off your mind ain't it!
MimiJane
04-03-2005, 12:15 AM
nice one! really good to hear the success stories.
well done Lizbee. Nice to have the worry of a potential court case off your mind ain't it!
Well done Lizbee. One question ... on their web site where it asks you for your customer number, it states that this is 9 digits, mine is 12 and will not therefore accept it. How many digits is yours?
lizbee
04-03-2005, 11:35 AM
HI Mimijane
Customer No is twelve numbers but you just put in first nine. I had the same problem but when I put in the first nine it took it. Good luck if you are ringing them up.
MimiJane
04-03-2005, 11:53 AM
HI Mimijane
Customer No is twelve numbers but you just put in first nine. I had the same problem but when I put in the first nine it took it. Good luck if you are ringing them up.
Thanks lizbee,
I couldn't get in initially, but just played around and it let me in ... thanks.
I sent them a cheque off a couple of weeks ago, which they've not yet banked (sure they will:rolleyes: ). Interestingly, they've put that the order was cancelled and not shipped:confused: There's a nil balance, but the account is not closed as I asked them to do.
Hope that's the last I hear from them!
lizbee
04-03-2005, 12:01 PM
Hi mimijane
I know what you mean! You will have to check your Bank Statement, It seems very strange when they say not shipped and showing a zero balance. Let me know how you go on you can always send me a PM.
I received a letter today from a debt collection agency insisting i owe imp £20.97. I phoned the number on the letter and it went through to imp not Winchester Debt Colection Agency!
I told a Supervisor how I had been told by a very rude person to keep everything, and that I had written to them on 3 occasions confirming this. Naturally, she had no record of this but immedialtey offered to half the debt! I refused and told her I'll see them in court.
I'll keep you posted!
MimiJane
06-04-2005, 2:39 PM
I received a letter today from a debt collection agency insisting i owe imp £20.97. I phoned the number on the letter and it went through to imp not Winchester Debt Colection Agency!
I told a Supervisor how I had been told by a very rude person to keep everything, and that I had written to them on 3 occasions confirming this. Naturally, she had no record of this but immedialtey offered to half the debt! I refused and told her I'll see them in court.
I'll keep you posted!
OMG ... does this one never end:eek:
Best of luck ... may this be a valuable lesson to us all when applying for "freebies"!
lizbee
07-04-2005, 1:26 PM
Hi flyer
I was so sorry to learn that you are experiencing problems with that Company.
I have not heard any more from them since my account got cancelled by them over a month ago.
They put a fear of dread in me. I do hope you get on okay, please keep us posted.
I'm quite looking forward to it! Wait til I refer the judge to this thread!
I've had yet another letter from them asking for payment! It must be costing them more in postage! Am I the only one being hassled by them???:confused::confused::confused:
MimiJane
28-04-2005, 3:05 PM
I've had yet another letter from them asking for payment! It must be costing them more in postage! Am I the only one being hassled by them???:confused::confused::confused:
Stick to your guns ... they haven't got a leg to stand on. I presume you kept copies of your letters ... hope so!
What a load of hassle for you. You could try ringing them again and asking to speak to the Chief Exec./MD about all the grief you're getting. If they weren't such a b****y awful company to deal with, you'd definitely be due some form of compensation I'd say ...:rolleyes:
tullula
28-04-2005, 3:18 PM
I sent off for the wok etc. the said it was being dispatched -i've never recieved it. Now I'm hoping it doesn't come after reading all the trouble youv'e all had. Good luck to you all.:D
MimiJane
28-04-2005, 3:27 PM
I sent off for the wok etc. the said it was being dispatched -i've never recieved it. Now I'm hoping it doesn't come after reading all the trouble youv'e all had. Good luck to you all.:D
LOL ... yes, thank your lucky stars Tullula:rolleyes:
flyer
09-05-2005, 11:08 AM
I have now received a notice of intended legal action from a company called intrum justitia in harlow. Once again, it's an 0870 number so I looked them up in directory enquires but with no success. Anyone heard of them?
MimiJane
09-05-2005, 11:27 AM
I have now received a notice of intended legal action from a company called intrum justitia in harlow. Once again, it's an 0870 number so I looked them up in directory enquires but with no success. Anyone heard of them?
What a nightmare for you:eek: Never heard of them I'm afraid, but I've found a link to their UK website (European company), which I've put below ... hope this helps and keep us informed what happens.http://img.moneysavingexpert.com/icons/icon7.gif
http://www.intrum.co.uk/
Thanks for that. I'll keep posting progress here but there's no way I'm giving in on this one.
lizbee
10-05-2005, 11:27 AM
Hi Flyer
I know how you are feeling and some times my principles will not allow me to give in to bullying tactics and I would have followed the same path as yourself if they had not cancelled my order. But do feel free to use my reply's to this post to show what obstinate people they are.
IF it goes to court, I will have no hesitation in referring the judge to this website!
Lychee
10-05-2005, 2:03 PM
Hi Flyer,
I just want to say I admire your determination and believe you're right not to be giving in to them. I hope everything works out OK for you!
dreamr
13-06-2005, 2:42 PM
LMAO!!!!!!
Flyer! Good to see i'm not the only one left in this situation.
;) See you in court m8.
dreamr
13-06-2005, 3:16 PM
I have now received a notice of intended legal action from a company called intrum justitia in harlow. Once again, it's an 0870 number so I looked them up in directory enquires but with no success. Anyone heard of them?
:D Snap! Exactly what I got from them. Keep me posted will you. I too intend not to give them a penny, they will have to come pay me a visit.
I can honestly say I am looking forward to going to court :D.
Guess what!!!!!!!!
I've recieved a Notification of intended court proceedings today from some solicitors in Bromsgrove!
Do these people not have anything better to do?
solar14
17-05-2008, 6:53 PM
hiya
just wondered if anyone has been took to court with IMP or Winchester Debt...
had a phone call last saturday..demanding money payment there and then over the phone...I told them I was on benefit and that I had to pay council tax..guy said he understands that but he wants payment...I just said well I will have to go to CAB about all this...
VIJAY_FROM_KENT
18-06-2008, 1:20 AM
hiya
just wondered if anyone has been took to court with IMP or Winchester Debt...
had a phone call last saturday..demanding money payment there and then over the phone...I told them I was on benefit and that I had to pay council tax..guy said he understands that but he wants payment...I just said well I will have to go to CAB about all this...
I remember these guys, there were a nasty piece of work! Don't pay them any money and let them try to take you court for £20 and then just take a copy of this thread with you as evidence!! To be honest I doubt they will go to court, they just want to threaten verbally and by phone as many people as they can, to scare them into paying them money! :mad:
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