Mobility Assistance Consultants Ltd Derby

GeeJay

I am enquiring whether anyone else has experience of the above company?

In late July my wife's elderly aunt, who is confused & vulnerable, was visited in her home and persuaded to purchase a chair to assist her to get up more easily. The price was £2500(!!), 50% payable immediately as a deposit. (The cheque was cleared within 48 hours.)

The aunt had second thoughts and returned the cancellation slip. She has not had the money refunded and a letter sent in September requesting a refund has been ignored.

Has anyone else had any similar experiences please?

GMGrandad

Just had a cold call from "Mobility Assistance". Phone number was not withheld. Female caller gave her name (but I didn't note it). She said this was a courtesy call to follow up a call some months ago (of which I have no recollection). Did I have any problems with mobility?
I asked how she obtained my name. She said "from a Government database". I asked what database that was, but she didn't know. She gave me the address of the company (Ashbourne Road, Derby). I declined her offer of assistance (I have never had problems with mobility) and ended the call.
Google found a companycheck for Mobility Assistance Consultants Ltd with registered office address 4 Coriander Gardens Littleover Derby DE23 2UB. Registration 01/02/2010.

trumpton

Geejay - sorry I missed your post. I would strongly recommend that you immediately contact your local Trading Standards office through the Consumer Direct website:

"Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or fill in an online form.
The helpline is open Monday to Friday 9.00 am to 5.00 pm."

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Dl1/Directories/UsefulContactsByCategory/Governmentcitizensandrightscontacts/DG_195948


Frankly in my view, a very large percentage of the companies operating in the mobility business are liars and scammers and I would strongly advise people NOT to allow them into their homes.

Derby/Midlands seems to be a very active area for companies of this kind - Virgo Healthcare, Reo Marketing, Easynights Ltd - all have connections with this area and all have received national coverage from the likes of Watchdog and Daily Mirror Investigates, and many posts on MSE.

You have 7 days from when the goods arrive to change your mind.

Tell them in writing by recorded/registered post that you are cancelling. If you are concerned that the product has been pressure -sold, I would contact Consumer Direct immediately to have your complaint logged - don't wait for a reply from the company. These people count on the elderly being too frail to fight for a refund and will fail to refund even when the are legally obliged to do so.

The 'Government database' is likely to be the electoral register which highlights people who are are ineligible for jury service - ie. people over 70. This is where they target their phone calls. A common scam of mobility companies is to say you have won a free demonstration of a product - which will turn into a 3 hour pressure selling session for a £2k mattress that you don't need.

GeeJay

Thanks trumpton & GMGrandad. I spoke to consumer direct at the end of last week, who put the Trading Standards department from her home town in touch with me. They, in turn are contacting Derby Trading Standards and I await further developments.