Open study college- aat 2 level 2 accountancy course

unholyangel

Mr_Norrell wrote: »

Good job it was with the qualification "not legal advice" then.

Edit: perhaps you can show me where the CCRs don't apply to a service clearly stated (which you seem to be saying), because I can't find it? Thanks.

I don't think bris was inferring the CCR's don't apply, just that there are circumstances in which you can lose your right to cancel and/or receive a full refund.

Supply of service in cancellation period

36. (1) The trader must not begin the supply of a service before the end of the cancellation period provided for in regulation 30(1) unless the consumer—

(a)has made an express request, and
(b)in the case of an off-premises contract, has made the request on a durable medium.

(2) In the case of a service other than supply of water, gas, electricity or district heating, the consumer ceases to have the right to cancel a service contract under regulation 29(1) if the service has been fully performed, and performance of the service began—

(a)after a request by the consumer in accordance with paragraph (1), and
(b)with the acknowledgement that the consumer would lose that right once the contract had been fully performed by the trader.
(3) Paragraphs (4) to (6) apply where a contract is cancelled under regulation 29(1) and a service has been supplied in the cancellation period.

(4) Where the service is supplied in response to a request in accordance with paragraph (1), the consumer must (subject to paragraph (6)) pay to the trader an amount—

(a)for the supply of the service for the period for which it is supplied, ending with the time when the trader is informed of the consumer’s decision to cancel the contract, in accordance with regulation 32(2), and
(b)which is in proportion to what has been supplied, in comparison with the full coverage of the contract.

(5) The amount is to be calculated—

(a)on the basis of the total price agreed in the contract, or
(b)if the total price is excessive, on the basis of the market value of the service that has been supplied, calculated by comparing prices for equivalent services supplied by other traders.
(6) The consumer bears no cost for supply of the service, in full or in part, in the cancellation period, if—

(a)the trader has failed to provide the consumer with the information on the right to cancel required by paragraph (l) of Schedule 2, or the information on payment of that cost required by paragraph (n) of that Schedule, in accordance with Part 2, or
(b)the service is not supplied in response to a request in accordance with paragraph (1).

It likely all hinges on whether they informed OP of the necessary information. However I believe CCR's state it is for the business to prove they have complied, not for the consumer to prove they haven't. So might be worth asking them how they provided the information.

Mr_Norrell

bris wrote: »

Started, clearly started, look again. The OP started the course, CCR's no longer apply look harder.

Why should I look? You are the one who asserted that the CCR's don't apply to contracts for services already started - it's up to you to prove that evidential burden, not me.

unholyangel wrote: »

I don't think bris was inferring the CCR's don't apply, just that there are circumstances in which you can lose your right to cancel and/or receive a full refund.

It likely all hinges on whether they informed OP of the necessary information. However I believe CCR's state it is for the business to prove they have complied, not for the consumer to prove they haven't. So might be worth asking them how they provided the information.

The key information is whether the business informed the OP of her right to cancel, and gave all the necessary pre-contractual information, before the contract was formed. If they didn't, then the cancellation right extends to 1 year.

unholyangel

Mr_Norrell wrote: »

Why should I look? You are the one who asserted that the CCR's don't apply to contracts for services already started - it's up to you to prove that evidential burden, not me.


The key information is whether the business informed the OP of her right to cancel, and gave all the necessary pre-contractual information, before the contract was formed. If they didn't, then the cancellation right extends to 1 year.

Sorry but I'm a pedant.

If they fail to provide the information required by paragraph (l) of schedule 2 before the service begins, but later provide it, the right to cancel runs 14 days from when they provided the information. If they fail to provide the information within a year then the cancellation period ends after 1 year and 14 days.

They have made it available to OP (little box on order page you need to tick to say you have read and agree to their terms and conditions which then has a specific section titled "your consumer rights" and gives a 14 day cancellation period and information on how to cancel) before contract conclusion, the only thing in question is whether they have sent confirmation in a durable medium (as is required for distance contracts).

Mr_Norrell

unholyangel wrote: »

Sorry but I'm a pedant.

If they fail to provide the information required by paragraph (l) of schedule 2 before the service begins, but later provide it, the right to cancel runs 14 days from when they provided the information. If they fail to provide the information within a year then the cancellation period ends after 1 year and 14 days.

They have made it available to OP (little box on order page you need to tick to say you have read and agree to their terms and conditions which then has a specific section titled "your consumer rights" and gives a 14 day cancellation period and information on how to cancel) before contract conclusion, the only thing in question is whether they have sent confirmation in a durable medium (as is required for distance contracts).

It's a shame for OP; it looks like they've complied with Schedule 2.

And they've probably sent OP an email confirming the contract, so they've done the "durable medium" bit.

At least you got to the bottom of it.

rosiepop21

I paid for thos course via telephone as it had a discount offer for a limited time so I had no option to read the teems and conditions when purchasing. when payment was successful the lady never sent me a contract to sign stating terms and conditions either. she only sent confirmation of enrollment.

SuperHan

If you understood the basics of bookkeeping, what exactly are you struggling with? Level 2 AAT seems to only really delve in to the basics...

It seems as though you are just not suited to distance learning courses rather than the course being too difficult or there being too little support, which isn't really the Open College's fault.

My advice would be to persevere as much as possible - you still have another 7 months left - and home study courses do require a lot of your own time to get your head around them.

If you want a brief chat about any concepts that you are struggling with, PM me and I can help with some of the basics if you like (I'm recently ACA qualified, so should be able to answer any AAT level questions!)

paddyrg

rosiepop21 wrote: »

thank you for your responses. I think it is very harsh as I am only 21 years old and made a huge mistake and they dont have any discretion what so ever.

21 is old enough to have been married for 7 years, or voting for the direction of the country for 3. You're an adult, and so are expected to be able to discern what does and doesn't work for you.

Accountancy is all about detail, and if you didn't read and understand the terms, detail may not be your strongest suit. The 14 days returns, clear terms in plain English on the site, the fact they gave you a different tutor to help you all suggest they're acting in good faith. You could try asking for a compromise, maybe they could give you 50% of the course fee as a credit note against another course they run? That way nobody loses out.

Catcherupper14

I started a book-keeping course with these people. The tutor support was non-existent.


When I paid, I got three stock e-mails telling me who my tutor was (I'd paid for the equivalent of three courses) and giving me the welcoming spiel.


I sent off a study plan on their recommendation - no response.


I asked a question - got a response but not an answer.


I did not submit my first assignment when my study plan said I would and there was no follow-up - ever.


Basically I felt that they were only interested in the money.


I've done several OU courses and other distance learning (with the National Extension College for example) and there is such a difference in the support.


I feel that the Open Study College was a total waste of money.

agrinnall

paddyrg wrote: »

21 is old enough to have been married for 7 years, or voting for the direction of the country for 3. You're an adult, and so are expected to be able to discern what does and doesn't work for you.

Blimey paddy, either your arithmetic needs a bit of a brush up or you're living somewhere that has rather different laws to those that apply here .

OP, I'm in agreement with SuperHan that you should perserve, given that it's highly unlikely that you'll get any money back. Is there any opportunity for you to discuss things with other students doing the course? Perhaps if you can find out whether others are also struggling you could submit a group complaint to try to get improvements.