Has anybody ever claimed fees back from a catalogue?

teresaj64

Hi,
Just wondered whether anybody had ever tried to claim back admin costs from a catalogue? I have been with one for years now. Due to their statements not turning up on time, (despite phone call after phone call), payments were being made a day or so late initially, so I was being charged late payment charges. This has gone on for about 6 yrs now. The original order was only for about £50, but I now owe them £359! They have been charging me £24 per month in admin charges plus interest. I have spoken to the CAB and one woman reckons I should be able to make a claim, whereas another says she doesn't rate my chances. I'm on benefit, (a fact of which they have been aware for several years now), and this is worrying the hell out of me. I spoke to them a couple of years ago, explaining my situation and they agreed to me paying back £5 per month, however they are still piling on charges each month, so instead of the debt slowly being paid off, it just grows and grows.

I would be grateful to hear of anybody who has maybe had the same problem or who has successfully claimed against a catalogue.

Regards
Teresa

Herewego

Which catalogue is this with ?

maypimm

Hi i have had exactly the same problem with kays catalogue, after a lot of requests from me asking for the charges to stop, i eventually wrote to the financial ombudsmen they acted on my behalf, kays called me asking how much the charges were and how far back they went, i kept all my statements and was able to go back to when i first asked them to freeze charges, they credited my account to date of all charges, now i have no charges added as long as i pay every 28 days, i pay by debit card which takes 24 hours to credit my account so i pay a couple of days before its due and always ask when the next one is due. I hope this is helpfull.

maximoomoo

I too am interested in reclaiming charges from a catalogue, although my situation is different as the account is in default.

Looking forward to any help anyone can give.

Thanks

Maximoomoo

marshallka

teresaj64 wrote: »

Hi,
Just wondered whether anybody had ever tried to claim back admin costs from a catalogue? I have been with one for years now. Due to their statements not turning up on time, (despite phone call after phone call), payments were being made a day or so late initially, so I was being charged late payment charges. This has gone on for about 6 yrs now. The original order was only for about £50, but I now owe them £359! They have been charging me £24 per month in admin charges plus interest. I have spoken to the CAB and one woman reckons I should be able to make a claim, whereas another says she doesn't rate my chances. I'm on benefit, (a fact of which they have been aware for several years now), and this is worrying the hell out of me. I spoke to them a couple of years ago, explaining my situation and they agreed to me paying back £5 per month, however they are still piling on charges each month, so instead of the debt slowly being paid off, it just grows and grows.

I would be grateful to hear of anybody who has maybe had the same problem or who has successfully claimed against a catalogue.

Regards
Teresa

Did you ever write to them about this. If you write and send it recorded delivery you then have proof and also they have to respond if its a complaint. I would never make phone calls in a case like this as they could easily say they never knew you had a problem and very difficult proving what was said.

Herewego

I have emailed LX Direct and Additions asking for my charges back not quite sure how much they are but have put approx amount as I know its not massive. After reading that they dont pay I thought i would give it a go, so far LX direct (Very) have replied saying they are making a full investigation I guess that means they are buying time

sourcrates

Write to the catalouge company asking for a full refund of all charges added to your account, sometimes they will repay them, sometimes not, if they wont pay, simply send a complaint to the financial ombudsman service who will take up the fight on your behalf, YOU WILL GET YOUR MONEY BACK, as soon as the ombudsman gets involved the catalouge company will cave in GUARENTEED !!!! because it knows if it dosent pay up the ombudsman will require them to cooperate with a full investigation into the disputed charges and they will have to justify the level of charges to them.
Obviously it does not cost £12.00 to send a letter so they will not be able to justify the charge and they will refund you.
If the ombudsman launched an official investigation into these charges and they were found to be excessive, the company would have to repay every single one of its customers it has ever charged, hence if you complain loud enough you will get your cash back.

Herewego

Nearly 3 weeks since i sent my first emails and so far no reply and nothing showing on my accounts i have rang 3 times and each time i get fobbed of with the department is closed no wonder it takes them so long to reply they are never open. So tonight i have emailed 2nd letter stating court action if no response within 14 days, watch this space......

ahsila5

Hi,
I have successfully reclaimed admin charges from Littlewoods and
Marshall Ward catalouges and Studio.It took a long time and I had to
issue Court proceedings for Littlewoods and Marshall Ward but they caved in before the court stage.

This was 18 months ago but my advice is dont give in,if you are prepared to fight them all the way then you will win

It took about 5 months from writing 1st letter to getting charges refunded.

cali_

ahsila5 wrote: »

Hi,
I have successfully reclaimed admin charges from Littlewoods and
Marshall Ward catalouges and Studio.It took a long time and I had to
issue Court proceedings for Littlewoods and Marshall Ward but they caved in before the court stage.

This was 18 months ago but my advice is dont give in,if you are prepared to fight them all the way then you will win

It took about 5 months from writing 1st letter to getting charges refunded.

That is really good news. My case is with the FOS because Littlewoods have been difficult when they were made aware of my changing circumstance.

Did you go to the FOS before starting Court proceedings for Littlewoods? Also since you have reclaimed the admin charges (and late fee charges ?), did Littleoods close your account?

ahsila5

cali_ wrote: »

That is really good news. My case is with the FOS because Littlewoods have been difficult when they were made aware of my changing circumstance.

Did you go to the FOS before starting Court proceedings for Littlewoods? Also since you have reclaimed the admin charges (and late fee charges ?), did Littleoods close your account?

Hi,in answer to your question NO I never went to the FOS,i did it on my own BUT Littlewoods were very difficult and there were long delays in fact I had to report them to Information Commissioner because they did not reply to my SAR REQUEST.
They kept my account open but as far as I remember
there was no balance owing at the time.
About 6 months later I started using the account again and built up a balance then when I was late paying one month the threatning calls began so I sent them a CCA request ,They admitted they had no credit agreement and that the account was unenforcable and that was the last I heard of them.!
I would not advise going down that route now as I dont think its so straightforward but thought it may be of interest.