Apex Credit Management

Wits-end_5

Hi,
I would really appreciate some advice if anyone can spare the time.

Some time ago, my wife had a bit of a breakdown, following the death of her mother, a car accident, and collapsing into a diabetic coma (we didn't know she was diabetic, just thought she was run down with everything happening around her).

She had to walk away from a great job and basically couldn't do anything for 9 months. During this time, she saw an add for Learn Direct, and thought a computer course would help her. So, we signed up, paid the £50 deposit and started paying the direct debits (not quite sure how many we paid but around £200, the course was £1000). The package arrived but she never started the course, happily she re-entered work and touch wood, things are improving.

But, on reflection she went for the course while under a lot of strain, and decided she did not want to do it.

Learn Direct quickly passed the "debt" onto Apex Credit management and we have been harrassed constantly with letters and phone calls threatening enforcement proceedings.

We have written to them, accompanied by a doctors letter stating that my wife was suffering from stress depression when applying for the course, but they insist that Learn Direct want paying none the less. (we even offered to return the software package which has never been opened).

Is there anything else we can do?

I signed the Direct debit mandate although the course was for my wife, i was willing to try anything which would help make her better.

I have read about sending CCA requests but would that help in this instance, and is LD really insisting on payment? After all, i presumed that Apex had bought the debt. Incidentally the balance seems higher than we estimated also as they are asking for £980!

Any advice would be gratefully received
thanks

RAS

Starting point, maybe you need to talk to learn direct

a) to find out exactly what sort of credit arrangement was made. If it was a loan it is covered by the CCA, if it was "HP", then not.
b) to find out if learn direct really want to push this debt collection once they understand the situation. I would start with asking for their complaints procedure.

rockylover

Look at it this way...would u buy a meal in a restaurant and then ask for your money back half way through eating it because you werent in the right state of mind when you bought it? dont think so

Jesthar

Really constructive post there, rocky... :rolleyes:

Also, your analogy is false - I believe the point of the OPs post is that his wife never actually started the course, but LearnDirect still want her to pay for it. No idea what small print they put in their Ts&Cs, of course, but it does seem a bit rich!

Wits-end, I think you need to check the original Ts & Cs to see what happens if the course is never started. However, whatever they say the regulators have some rather specific rules about companies harrassing the vulnerable (i.e. don't or you are in trouble); not sure where to find the info myself but I'm sure someone else does.

~Jes

Wits-end_5

Rocky,
thanks for the sympathetic analogy, can't wait to pass that nugget on to my wife