Help! I am a student who has been scammed by Books Direct

ashabhatt

About 4 months ago, I did an online market research survey (I had been promised £200 in tesco vouchers, which I didn't eventually get!).

Somehow, they signed me up for a membership with Books Direct which I was not aware of. I was then sent 3 introductory books, which I was told that if i paid the £3.95 postage and packing, the books would be free, and I could cancel my account. Since then, I have been told that as I paid the p&p, I now have to buy 4 books (at roughly £16 each - a rip off) to even cancel my account. They have then sent me 5 'editorial books' that apparently don't count towards my cancelling the membership. I have to send these back (and still pay p&p), and buy these 4 books. Help! I want to get out of this, as I am a student, with no money, and I really want to get out of this. Anyone know how??

robpw2

how did you inform them of cancx ?
how long ago did you take the books ?#

maninthestreet

Books Direct are known scammers - search for them on google.

ashabhatt

I paid for the p&p (£3.98) for introductory books on 05.09.2009. Since then, I have been sent 2 books on 20/10 (which count as a package, and so only 1 book towards the 4 for cancellation) and a further 3 on 10/11 (which also count as one book), and am being asked to pay a total of £53.93. I have asked them numerous times over the phone if i can cancel my account, but they will only process it if i buy 4 books. So am thinking if htere is no other way out, will send these 5 books back, pay for the p&p, and buy the cheapest 4 books i can so i can cancel. But I really don't want to have to do this, as i am skint!

robpw2

you should have put it in writing .

you agreed to this its in the contract that you will have to order four books over the year

These apply to all applications from the 20th November 2008.
From time to time BCA would like to contact you regarding special offers. By providing your email, address and telephone number you are consenting to receive other fantastic offers from BCA via email and telephone, and by post.
Your Editor's Choice
Every month, your Editor will offer you a new title(s) that has been chosen especially for its quality and value. This is the Editor's Choice. If you'd like to receive the Editor's Choice, do nothing and it will be sent to you automatically approximately four weeks after the Club Magazine. If you'd like to receive it sooner, just order it and it will be sent to you straight away. If you do not wish to receive the Editor's Choice, simply let us know each month. You can do this online, by phone or by returning the order form to us.
Your Membership Agreement
In addition to your special introductory offer, you agree to buy at least 4 books in your first year of Membership, this is your Membership Agreement. Fulfilling it is easy - we offer a great range of books to choose from. Once your Membership Agreement is fulfilled, you are not obliged to buy any more books, but you will remain a member of the club and continue to receive the club magazine and be offered the Editor's Choice. Just remember to let us know each time whether you’d like to receive the Editor’s Choice or not. You can cancel your Membership any time after you have bought the agreed number of books.
Please note: At the time of cancellation, if you have not bought the number of books you agreed to buy, you will be charged a cancellation charge of £10 for each book outstanding. You may choose to either pay the cancellation charge, or purchase additional books to fulfil your Membership Agreement. This charge will be waived if you have spent more than £50 on your account.


•All books you purchase will count towards your Membership Agreement, except for special offers or where indicated.

•The postage and packaging charge for your introductory parcel is £2.99. Please allow 7 to 10 working days for delivery.

•Membership of this club is limited to one membership per household, and the offer is only available in the UK.

•Membership is subject to acceptance and we may consult a licensed credit agency that may record the search. Applicants must be over 18 years of age.

renegade

Write a letter of complaint to the Chairman of the company. Tell them that the books were sent unsolicited and therefore are awaiting their collection as you do not want them nr did you order them. You are not responsible for the return of these books. This hapened to me and that is what I did, they never collected the books and I never heard from them again!

ashabhatt

brilliant, do you still have the address or contact details for the chairman please? and possibly a copy of your letter if that isn't asking too much...?

McKneff

renegade wrote: »

Write a letter of complaint to the Chairman of the company. Tell them that the books were sent unsolicited and therefore are awaiting their collection as you do not want them nr did you order them. You are not responsible for the return of these books. This hapened to me and that is what I did, they never collected the books and I never heard from them again!

The OP has probably ticked a box agreeing to all this and has not realised it, because he has not read something properly, i think you are giving hime fals hope so I wouldnt hold out much hope OP but i wish you all the best.

In future, read all the t&cs before you sign anything.

eyelinerprincess

I had the same problem with one of their clubs, one which I would never knowingly join, never got a confirmation email or password, and when I tried to log into their website my customer number wasn't valid. All that happened was a box with a book in it arrived at my door one morning. I called them and they tried to fob me off by saying I had joined when I hadn't, so I sent them an email and a recorded letter saying the goods were unsolicited and they cancelled my account.

marleyboy

I would write them a letter stating that you are not interested, with the notion "you can't get blood out of a stone" let them know you have a copy of the letter and that you will not be held responsible for any further books they send to you.

Feel free to keep any further books and try not to worry about them, they don't have a very good reputation and no court in the land would take their case on.

ashabhatt

Does anyone think that this is an appropriate letter to send? Thanks so much for all your advice!

To whom ever this may concern,

I was recently sent an unsolicited package of books from your company, accompanied with a bill for postage and packing. I paid this fee with the intention of swiftly cancelling my account, which I did not set up in the first place. Since then, I have been told by your employees that I am unable to cancel it. They have been extremely unhelpful in dealing with the matter. I have told them that I do not want any further books, and that I want my account terminated immediately, but they have ignored my request.

At present, I am in possession of a further 5 books that have been sent to me without my consent. I expect you to collect them. If this does not happen, I shall donate them to charity. I have a copy of this letter, and I will not be held responsible for any further books that are sent to me.

At this moment I feel helpless, and as such, my solicitor would like to deal with the matter directly with you. Please reply with an address to which he can send a letter.

Yours faithfully,
blah blah