Craftmatic - Targeting Elderly and Vulnerable

LostInTranslation_3

I am currently trying to extract my elderly and vulnerable mother (80) from a contract she signed under extreme pressure from the above company for a single adjustable bed costing GBP 5,500 of which almost half is interest on the loan. They rang and told her she had "won" the bed, but on arrival the salesmen said "she would have to start paying" so she could be entered in the competition to win. Craftmatic uses Barclays Partner Finance to loan money to elderly/vulnerable people. Having discovered what my mother had done only after the cool-off period had elasped, I was confident the loan would not be approved by Barclays because my mother could never afford the repayments. However, it seems the Craftmatic salesman filled in false details about her income (my mother was not asked to supply financial info) and on this basis, the loan has been approved. I know there must be many other people out there who have similar problems with this wicked company. They are under continuous supervision by Oxfordshire Trading Standards and these are the people to contact if you are seeking advice on Craftmatic. Remember, in 2006, Craftmatic submitted written undertakings to Oxfordshire Trading Standards that they would, among other things, "ensure sales visits are not specifically targeted towards more vulnerable consumers" and "ensure that a third party will be present to monitor any presentation given to a vulnerable consumer". If they have broken these undertakings in your case and you can prove it, you may still be able to get some help from Trading Standards. Write to them and supply as much supporting documentation as you can - don't give up. Remember, if we all stick together, we will get some results!

brightonman123

contact barclays ASAP, to advise app fraudulently done by 3rd party.

LostInTranslation_3

I have already done this, by phone and in writing, and my mother has also contacted them. They seemed unconcerned about the possibility of this fraud at present, but I will be pursuing it and will post results on this site. I wonder how many elderly people have simply signed a piece of paper containing false financial information about themselves?

brightonman123

hope no payments made, if you feel loan was coerced?

probably too late now, to use the cooling off laws..

dealer_wins

Reading posts like this makes me feel sick that there are companies/salespeople out there who can blatantly rip off old people.

Maybe worth contacting trading standards, and possibly watchdog would be interested too.

LostInTranslation_3

Assuming my mother signed the financial information sheet, how can I prove she didn't give that information willingly to the salesman? She has an attention span of about 1/2 hour before she gets too tired to concentrate, but the salesman was there for about 2 hours! She told me she was prepared to sign anything just to get rid of him.

ilovecheese

Reading this makes me so angry, a company that targets vulnerable people should be shut down - which they should have been in 2006, what is the point of trading standards just watching them? I really hope you get this sorted out for your mum. best of luck

chip972

My in-laws have been approached by Craftmatic beds. The ordered has been cancelled. The police have been informed and have been and have taken away all paperwork as supplied by the company. They may not be able to prosecute but they can set up protected areas within their area of resposibility called "No cold calling Zones". Contact you local Community Police Officer for a home visit which will put your mind at rest.
I hope this may be of some help

A relieved and lucky Son in Law

Chip.

marleyboy

Cancel the payments, inform the bank of your intention, and let them pursuit it in a court, where she can then put her case across to a judge and not some con company.

A judge wont look highly on them, and they know it.

Refuse to pay.

dacouch

have a watch of last weeks Watchdog as craftmatic were featured

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b00mq4hv/Watchdog_10_09_2009/

trisontana

Yet another American company with very dodgy marketing strategies. It joins the list of Kirby vacuum cleaners, Saladmaster pans and Amway cleaning products.