Is this a scam ??

isplumm

cmac wrote: »

Hi all,
Well I spoke too soon, received a letter from them yesterday.
Basically they say they were in the right, no mention of their rep totally misleading me.

But at the bottom of the letter they`ve put.

Notwithstanding the above, after reading the contents of your letter as a gesture of goodwill we will gladly continue to represent your buisness on a no win no fee basis on the strict understanding that should we reduce the rateable value on your premises our fee £400 + vat would be due immediately. Can you please advice me in writing within the next 14 days if you wish to accept the offer.
I trust this is to your satisfaction and I apologise for any inconvenience this matter may have caused you.

Hi,

Hi,

This last bit suggests to me that you only pay if they get you a reduction ....

Mark

cmac

The Rest of the letter:-
Ref: Proposal to alter the 2005 Ratings List

We refer to your letter,the contents of which have been noted and can advice you as follows.
Your buisness did instruct us to formulate a business rates proposal against the 2005 ratings list on the 27th november 2009. I would refer you to our terms and conditions which were left with your business to read in the comfort of your own premises which are clear and specific as to the service that we offer.

In addition, we did write to your business by recorded delivery on 30th December 2009, wich clearly refers you to our terms and conditions to ensure that you and your business fully understand the contract that was agreed. If you or your business had any doubts as to the contract that had been agreed you would have cancelled our contract upon receipt of that letter or ask for written clarification to any questions you may have had. Under the circumstances we totally refute that you may have been misled in relation to this matter.

I can assure you that our terms and conditions are specifically designed to ensure that every business fully understands our terms of engagement. By operating this way we ensure that under no circumstances does any business misunderstand any aspect of the service that we offer. it is any business prerogative to cancel our contract within 7 days od our letter and as such this company would have nothing to gain by operating in the manner which you have suggested.

Looking at the details of your case I can see that we have always acted in the best interest of your buisness and we have followed all the correct procedures with the Valuation Office whilst dealing with your case as per our terms of engagement.

isplumm

So they are saying that you had plenty time to cancel ... but so that they don't end up in court, they are prepared to only receive their fee if they get you a rate reduction ... sound ok to me .... issue would be if they get a rate reduction less than £400 ...

I would get someone (CAB, Trading Standards) to check it out for you.
Mark

cmac

This is the letter I sent them on 17th December 09

Further to our conversation to-day.

I am rather perplexed, as the gentleman who came to se us and explained about your services categorically stated, that your firm differed from others in the fact that you only pay when you have received the money, and not until then.

I actually ask this question twice, as under no circumstances would I sign up to pay for something I might not receive.

I have also read the letter sent out to us, and nowhere does it say that we will receive a rebate, as you stated to me today on the phone. It states that the report has been submitted with a proposal for a reduction and that has been acknowledged - not agreed.

Nor does it mention the fact that we are a hair salon not a shop which apparently was the main issue - not the material and physical changes.

I suspect that to be deemed successful by yourselves actually means only getting our rates valuation to the appeal stage - which I could actually do myself directly.

Now I am perfectly happy to pay for your services, after I`ve received the approx 5K, as I was lead to believe, but certainly not before.
.............................................................................................................

I wouldnt try to do this myself, but just put that line in ???

cmac

cmac

And this is the next one sent on 27th December 09

I write again to confirm that I have cancelled our agreement, as said in phone call on 18th December 09.

I am including my previous sent e-mail, as I did not receive a written reply to it.

I trust you will take into consideration, the fact that I was twice informed by your representive that I would not pay any money untill I had received my rebate, also the fact that I was not made aware that I was lied to untill the 18th December 09, two days after my "cooling off" period had expired.
..............................................................................................................

I didnt hear anything else untill yesterday, and I want nothing else to do with this company, but very unsure how to reply to this.

I think I`ve given all the facts, and thanks for all the advice and support on this

One very worried person. x

isplumm

What does your contract state ... they appear to have agreed to only take money if you get a rate reduction .... if that is the case ... what is the issue?

Mark

cmac

Hi,

The terms of engagement state:-
Pay within 14 days of receipt of an invoice the sum of £400 exclusive of VAT,respresenting a fixed administration and consultancy charge (the fee) for our services. The Fee shall only become due and payable when either you or the company receive an acknowledgement from the Valuation Office for each raring list against which the proposal was submitted.

isplumm

To me their statement in their letter to you, appears to override the contract ... especially the last statement ... so I would be tempted to go ahead ...

Maybe do some research to see if other clients of theirs have managed to make savings ...

Mark

cmac

Thank you thats what I thought but really unwilling to trust these people and just want out of this mess with them.

They contacted my neighbour previously and persued him for payment with their legal team ( I dont know if this was with phonecalls or letters or what exactly happened) but he didnt get a rebate nor a reduction of his rates. And he paid.

I am seeing a solicitor on Monday with regard to all this, as Ciano suggested a letter from them just might do the trick.
It is this new tack that has got me worried and how to reply to it.
I guess I`ll see what the solicitor says.

Thanks for the help
cmac

ciano125

I'll reply in a little while guys, just got in, baby to feed, bath and bed and then I need to eat too!!