Hire Purchase Help!

simonb1979

Hi

I'm new to the forum, so firstly I'd like to say "Hello" and also how valuable this resource is. Absolutley fantastic!

Well, now down to busines...

Whilst working for a local council a few years ago I took up an option of the Home Computer Scheme, and got a laptop from them on HP, they took the money monthly from my pay packet and it was dead simple. I left there at the beginning of March 2007 (over two years ago).

Today I received a letter from them telling me that when I left in 2007 there was a balance of £1000 left on the HP and that they expect me to pay this immediately.

Can you tell me if this is actually right? It seems a bit wrong to me that they can just do this out of the blue after 2 years without any contact at all. I understand that I owe the money, it was a genuine oversight, however I am certain that the HP agreement stated that they would take any money owed from my final pay packet and they didn't. I am now unemployed and cannot afford to suddenly find £1000!

Any help or advice would be gratefully received!

Many thanks

Simon

~Beanie~

Are you sure they didn't take the money from your final wages?
I was on a similar scheme with my employer and left 3 months into the agreement, they took the remaining money out of my final salary/redundancy. I had a letter before xmas saying I owed x amount but contacted them and advised it was paid for when I left.

simonb1979

Hi Beanie

No, I've double checked and they definitely didn't take the amount at all.

It seems so wrong that they can give me no updates, reminders or anything and then out of the blue demand the money two years later!

Thanks

Simon

Merlinexcalibur

Hello, Simon. Afraid I can't help with this but others here will. Though, on the surface of it perhaps there has been a clerical error their end resulting in you not having heard anything since? Or, alternatively, it has been passed around the system and now caught up to you. Beyond that etc can't really offer any alternatives.

boredofbeingathome

Hi Simon, you have a right to ask for a full breakdown of payments, charges etc. Once you receive this then you will be better placed to look at your position.
I would also point out that as you are unemployed you will be taking further advice about this. I would suggest contacting CAB or CCCS as a starting point. You can also pose a question to CCCS at the top of the DFW board.