Advertising company wont let me cancel!

evanique

I started a small pet care business in July. I cannot actually remember it, but I must have has a cold call from an advertising company. Apparently I agreed over the phone to an advert in a booklet costing £345. I have had no further communication with the company until I got a letter from them a few days ago demanding full payment.

I phones the company and told them that I wanted to cancel the ad as had not signed a contract, seen or approved any artwork or received an invoice. They said I agreed a verbal contract over the phone and my 2 week cooling off period had passed so I was bound by the contract. I told them I had not approved any artwork and they said their policy is to go ahead without approval if no amendments are requested. The advert has not yet gone to press but my place was reserved.

He also said that I'd received 2 previous reminders (I've received nothing until now!) and that if I didn't pay within 3 weeks he would place the matter into the hands of their legal department.

Where do I stand?

pelirocco

It's a scam tell them to whistle.

I make it a point never to do anything over the phone after I got caught out once.then you can be confident that you have never agreed to similar stuff in the future.

They bank on people not remembering , I had one once saying they had a recording of me agreeing , told them to go ahead and play it back.........I'm still waiting

pelirocco

It's a scam tell them to whistle.

I make it a point never to do anything over the phone after I got caught out once.then you can be confident that you have never agreed to similar stuff in the future.

They bank on people not remembering , I had one once saying they had a recording of me agreeing , told them to go ahead and play it back.........I'm still waiting

kingfisherblue

This scam has been going round for years. In fact, I think a company was prosecuted a year or two ago, somewhere in the North West - it wasnt a booklet, it was a calendar in that particular case IIRC.

Also, you obviously cannot approve artwork you haven't seen! Or make any alterations either.

Have you googled the name of the company to see if others have posted about it?

spacey2012

Just write :
Your offer to contract is respectfully declined on the letter, photocopy it and send it back.

st999

Just deny all knowledge that it was you on the phone and tell them to prove it.

I have a phone number that was allocated to someone else and keep getting phone calls asking if I am Mr Smith.

After them not stopping calling me I now just agree with them and tell them to send details in the post.

Couple of weeks later I get another call asking if I got the details in the post.

No I say have you got the correct address.

They then read me an address that is in another county, I just tell them that is correct and the stuff must be lost.

This has been going on for years.

And as long as you never admit anything or give them details for payment what are they going to do?

paddyrg

Dig around in the small biz forum a little further up, this is a common scam dressed up as legitimate business. If you never signed anything nor can be provided with a voice recording of your agreeing to a rolling deal they are on the thinnest of ice and they know it. They will bluster, they will threaten, but the chances of them actually going to court are almost nil as they don't need judges to see their shoddy pattern of business.

evanique

Thanks for your replies. Should I send a letter then, if so, how do I word it?

harrys_dad

evanique wrote: »

Thanks for your replies. Should I send a letter then, if so, how do I word it?

Post #5 above had a good suggestion.

I might just write p++s off.

Computersaysno

Notorious scam...based in the 'North West Triangle'.

Total scam.

evanique

This is my letter...

To The Manager

Following the telephone conversation I had with Steven on 07.09.13, your offer to contract is respectfully declined. As I stated to Steven, I have no recollection of agreeing to any contract over the phone in July.

I have not received any communication from you apart from the most recent payment reminder which arrived on 05/07/13. I have not seen or signed any contracts with you or seen or approved any artwork. Therefore I fail to see how you can hold me to this contract.

Thank you for your attention to this matter

...I will save 'P##s off!' for the next letter lol