Trying to get deposit back from kitchen company

niccatw

Hi guys

Can any of you give me advice on where I stand here and what my next steps are?

In February last year, I was off sick and had a visit from a doorstep kitchen selling company. The salesman was in my house for hours and in the end I signed the contract and gave him a deposit to get him out of my house. I cancelled the contract in writing the next day. I never received my deposit back at the time.

And as I was unwell, I didn't persue it. This February, I felt well enough to persue it and wrote them a letter pointing out I was entitled to the deposit back under the doorstep selling regulations 2008.

I also pointed out the things the salesman neglected to tell me or take into account (that a credit check would be done, even though I specifically asked; the time I had to cancel, which he said was a lot longer than it actually was; that I was ill) and suggested they invest in some training.

I asked for my desposit back and sent the letter recorded delivery (also sent a photocopy of the original contract). They received it on 24th February 2011. it's now a month later and I've had no response.

To be honest, I wasn't expecting one. I know it's a year later, but am I still entitled to that deposit back? And if I am, what's my next step?

The deposit was £100 and in the grand scheme of things, I can chalk it up to experience and have learend not to be so stupid again! But if I'm still entitled to it, then I would like to try and get it back! (I know they'd still be persuing the money from me if the boot was on the other foot.)

The salesman's techniques were tantamount to bullying for any-one who is vulnerable and if I hadn't been unwell, I'd like to think I would have been able to tell him where to go!

Cheers for reading. Any help is greatly appreciated.

Culex

Send them a letter before action, stating your claim and setting a deadline by which payment should be made to avoid you taking the matter to court - a fortnight after their (Recorded Delivery) receipt of the letter should be long enough.

If/when that does not work, sue them.

niccatw

Thanks Culex. Will peruse the link in more detail, cheers.

(PS Loving the avi. Yes, I did nearly hit the screen trying to swat the pseky thing!)