Music and Film Con/rip off

jimmmyc

Hi, I had an email in Decemeber for channel.com offering 2 DVD's for ten pounds, which I ordered as a Xmas present.
Since then I have had various emails and some post, usual marketing stuff, saying they had changed to music and film.
Until today when I had and email saying they have sent me a DVD which I hadn't ordered.
I called them to find they are part of Britannia and they are saying I signed up for a film club and it will cost me £25.00 to cancel it!

I have been conned as I didn't see anything saying this was a club. They said I have ticked the box on the order for their T&C's.

Anyone else had this problem, how can I get out of it.
I told them I would dispute any charges and they said they would put it in the hands of a debt collection agency-what lovely people to deal with.

Astaroth

Looking at the current site it is very clear it is a club... with top level links like "club benefits", "joining benefits", "Join now" etc... obviously I dont know if the site has changed since you placed the order or not.

Ultimately I think you have become a victim of what far too many people do, ticking they agree to the T&Cs without actually reading them. Dont know what your DVDs were but a total of £35 for 2 films may not have been that bad a price at the end of the day.

jimmmyc

The original Website was called Channel.com and it didn't look like a club, it looked a lot like play.com. It was new and this was supposed to be an introductory offer!

webmasterpolo

Write to their registered office and state your case and see what happens.

You could also contact TS or CAB for further advice.

TIP: When you sign T+C online, copy then into word and save them in a folder on your PC for future reference. You always have them to hand if you need them in the future. I've been doing this for years.

-Web

Astaroth

Did you actually read the T&Cs or just do what most (including me) do and just tick the box?

hazeyj

I have exactly the same trouble with music and film via an email for a free ipod about two years ago. I stupidly followed the instructions in the email and referred five friends, followed the next link and was told I had to buy 1 cd and then I would be getting my free ipod, followed the next link and was told that my five refferred friends all had to do the same ie buy a cd. Received my free cd from music and film and paid for it...a few months later I received a DVD from them and returned it to sender. A few weeks ago I had a letter completely out of the blue chasing me for payment for a DVD that I never received and telling me that I have been referred to a debt collection agency. I have spoke to them and they say they have never recieved the original dvd i returned to them. They now say that as far as they are concerned that as they have no proof that I sent the first CD never mind received the one after that I have automatically accepted their T&Cs and that I am now liable to pay a £25 cancallation fee or commit to buying 6 DVD's a month from them in the next twelve months. Thieving scumbags they are.

PeteMc

Channel.com or whatever they call themselves are those not-so-loveable old rogues Britannia in disguise

To all intents and purposes they look like a normal DVD seller but the T&C's, which you must tick/agree to, do give it away that it's a club.

They'll pursue you forever, so I'd pay the £25.00 and forget it or meet the minimum order then ditch them.

jimmmyc

Yes they are very cocky, saying what they are doing is legal, the channel site was a real con and it wasn't made clear. I'm not sure about the T&C's and now the site is gone, its impossible to check.
The advice as above to copy into word is very good thanks,
What scum, there should be laws against it. Unreasonable T&C's.

Pont

Really interested to read the above comments - check out what people are saying about Channel too! We seem to have accessed Channel via a link where there were no 'terms and conditions' re: membership etc., just thought we were buying 2 DVDs. In the meantime Channel has conveniently changed their name to Musicandfilm, hence the original T&C have 'disappeared'!
The first I had heard of Musicandfilm was when a naff DVD arrived in the post. I returned it to them stating that I was not a member of their company and not to send me anymore DVDs. I then received a letter telling me to pay a £25 cancellation fee - I think not! Next I received a letter from a credit collection agency asking me for £40 - I still think not! Next I receive a letter from a solititor's office asking for £120.26!!!
I have replied to the solicitor's letter stating that as I was not a member why would I pay a cancellation fee? Additionally, if this matter goes to court I will be claiming for a loss of earnings, legal fees and compensation for stress!
My main points of contention are:-

a) No recollection of T&C listed - and I check these things carefully
b) The change of name in the interim period complicated matters as I junk all mail from companies that I don't recognise the names of.
c) I should have been notified via Channel of the change of name.

I'll keep you all posted as to proceedings. Also interesting to learn that this company are also know as Britannia. Have also informed their legal team that many complaints are posted on the web - seemed to surprise them!

tin

to the OP - I'm interesed very much that it would appear they sent nothing for 9 months then decided you were a member of a club where there are minimum purchase requirements. This delay would appear to me to say you are quite obviously not, and maybe they have turned into a club since you last ordered. Is this correct? have you bought nothing further from them since last December?

jimmmyc

Hi, unfortunately due to lack of time and energy I decided to carry on with the club and will get my quota of DVD's.
My experience is the same as 'PONT' but I've too much going on at the moment to sort this out.