Buchananclark + Wells Strike Again!!

Fatcat

Hi all. Im a newbie on here. Found this site by accident as was looking online to see if there had been any complaints made about BCW. Hmm... by the looks of it just a few!!
I am having dealings with them for a British gas debt.
I received a letter from them 2 weeks ago, stating that if I did not pay £269 immediately they WILL NOT HESITATE IN TAKING LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
I called them and said that the supply date on the letter does not relate to me as I was not living at that address in 2007. They said that the date was wrong and is my debt. I left the property in sept 2006.
I explained that I couldnt pay it straight away and would have to sort out my finances and get back to them, at which they replied they will not put proceedings on hold to wait and that if I didnt make an arrangement with them now they would proceed. That same sentance was repeated between us both 3 times before I realised I was getting no-where.
Today I have recieved a FORMAL DEMAND with yet another supply date on (still not the correct date). This time for a period in 2008.
I called them again to query the date, and again was met with an arrogant, aggressive attitude. He told me that they had already explained to me that the dates on the letters were wrong. That the debt is mine and am I going to pay in full.
I asked him to send me another letter, this time with the correct dates on and that I wouldnt be making a payment until I have that, as in my opinion this is nopt my bill.
He replied that " we will now take you to court " and hung up!
I was so upset that I thought I would see if they had a complaints process, and instead was met with hundreds of complaints from people saying the same.
Can anyone give me some advice? Why should I accept being treated this way, and do I have the right to refuse to pay without them sending me correct details??
Thanxs
A very unhappy fatcat xx

RAS

Hi

The first rule is do not phone these people because it allows them to bully you.


they are not at all bothered whether you owe the money, just in getting you to cough up,

It is their legal respobsibility to provide evidence that you owe the money. Will try and post a prove it letter, but have you spoken to the original supplier?

Fatcat

I called British Gas a little while ago. They are unable to discuss with me as the debt has been passed over to BWC. All queries are to made through them. What he would say though is that he understands BWC are awkward and rude and to try to ignore their attitude to get the matter resolved!!
So im to back down and just pay the bill?
Thanks. Any help greatfully received

elsie52

Hi.

Well....hell would freeze over before I paid it.:mad:

I would want definite proof that it is my bill. I would speak to CAB or hopefully someone on this site will have a better idea.

Someone with more knowledge than me will probably be along shortly.

Fatcat

Thanks Elsie. You just cant talk to these people and I tend to get dumbstruck when im on the phone. They make me feel useless and eventually I give in. Not this time though!!

Merlinexcalibur

You've already been given some good advice. BCW. I would advise anyone never to phone these people either by mistake or otherwise. They are nasty with a capital N. Bit like a pitbull on the end of lead.

And, I hope I won't get into trouble for this but BCW is very good at avoiding legal obligations. Frankly, I don't even know how they have kept a collection licence this long.

Yes, I've had dealings with them and they were so nasty - before I knew or learned not to talk on the phone to them - that they told me over the phone that the debt had been settled, I would receive a letter of confirmation. What they were really doing, which was quite sadistic, was spinning me a line so that that the amount I agreed to WASN'T full and final settlement, simply so it could then be passed to another DCA so I would STILL end up paying what remained. As I have now done so. That what I describe should describe this bunch perfectly. They even laugh like hyenas in the office in the background when you phone. Again, how they are still in business ...

skylight

Fatcat wrote: »

Thanks Elsie. You just cant talk to these people and I tend to get dumbstruck when im on the phone. They make me feel useless and eventually I give in. Not this time though!!

Then do not speak to them. You do not HAVE to speak to them (regardless of what they may tell you) and you should never be made to feel like that by anyone in your own home.

They need to prove the debt. As mentioned, they do not actually care if its your debt, only that the debt is paid.

Fatcat

MerlinexcaliburThey even laugh like hyenas in the office in the background when you phone. Again, how they are still in business ...

Ive just remembered, the first time I called them I was explaining my personal circumstances to him and realised that he wasnt listening to me, he was having a conversation with someone else about what they were doing that night and completely ignoring me. I went quiet and waited for him to realise I had stopped talking. Took a while!

Merlinexcalibur

Did you get the 'scary lady' phoning you back to yell at you 'don't you EVER put the phone down on me, EVER!'. To which I replied 'don't you EVER phone me up like that again, nor speak to me that way'. Didn't do anygood, but made me feel better and more in control. It's so laughable what these people do, you couldn't make it up.

Merlinexcalibur

someone else about what they were doing that night and completely ignoring me. I went quiet and waited for him to realise I had stopped talking. Took a while!

Being cynical, I'd say that was probably to rack the cost of the premium rate call up. Apart from that. Total ignorance.

Fatcat

Both times it was a man, and I swear it was the same person. He was rude, underhand, ignorant and arrogant!!
I stood up for myself though, which was not me in the past, would have come away from the call crying.
I think the fact that as long as he spoke over me I spoke over him annoyed him, which was why he shouted we're taking you to court and hung up. I feel I won the battle, if not yet, the war!