Avon??

bilko89

Hi, over 4 years ago my girlfriend had an avon account and sold their products at work and within our estate where we lived at the time. She got bored with it a few months later and paid her last bill to them and that was that.

Today, in our second house since then (we lived in a private let, then moved in with my parents and now live in a rented council house) my girlfriend received a letter from Avon AND Lowell(debt collectors) saying she owes Avon £170 and they have sold the debt to Lowell who will now be taking care of the debt.

First of all, nothing was owed, she paid off her bill after she had been paid by everyone of her customers and she hasn't heard a thing since, until today. I find it very strange, has anyone ever came across this before?

Tixy

I'd suggest she starts by sending Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

If they then provide more information/evidence then hopefully she will be able to dispute that. Whilst waiting for a reply it would be worth her looking outwhat paperwork she has from back then.

PixieV

Hello, I'm in a similar boat.

I was an avon rep 3-4 years ago - and to be frank, it was awful. When I told my area manager that I wasn't happy so would be leaving, she ordered a box of goods valuing over £100. I told them I did not want it and to collect it, they never did. I sent numerous emails asking them to collect it and even asking for an address to send it to myself, they never did. They then started adding money to it and it eventually rose to over £200.

They then sold the debt to Robinson Way, who I emailed saying it was unsolicited goods and that I did not want them, that I would not be paying any money but that they were more than welcome to come and collect the box themselves.

I never got a response, but I haven't heard anything since then until last week - when I got a letter saying Avon had sold my account to Lowell.

bilko89

Tixy wrote: »

I'd suggest she starts by sending Letter when you know nothing about about the debt - AKA "Prove it" letter

If they then provide more information/evidence then hopefully she will be able to dispute that. Whilst waiting for a reply it would be worth her looking outwhat paperwork she has from back then.

Thanks Tixy, would that be straight to Avon then I assume or should she send a copy onto Lowell as well?

Tixy

Send it to Lowell.
She could also send a copy to Avon, but if she sends it to lowell then they'll should contact Avon themselves.

bilko89

Just an update on this one folks, thanks for your input. My Fiancee sent the prove it letter over to Lowell on 09/03 and she received a reply on 11/03 from Lowell, confirming they had received her letter and they had requested a copy of her credit agreement from Avon. But on the 19/03 they sent another letter:-

We acknowledge receipt of your request for a copy of your credit agreement in accordance with section 77/78 of the consumer credit act 1974.

Please be advised, however, that this account relates to an Avon Cosmetics account, which is not a regulated credit agreement as defined by the consumer credit act 1974.

This account was opened on the 02/03/2011, since May 2011 Avon Cosmetics accounts have all been signed electronically. This means that signed paper copies do not exist. Instead, the customer applies online and ticks an "I agree to the terms and conditions box".

We have, however, requested a copy of any agreement held by Avon, together with statements to show how the outstanding balance accrued

We have also stopped collections activity on your account until the requested information has been received.

When Lowell portfolio 1 Ltd. purchases a debt from a client we issue a Letter of Assignment to the customer which fulfils our legal obligations under the Law of Property Act 1925. This letter was sent to you on the 28/01/2015 (was actually dated 29/01). We do not normally issue a specific Deed of Assignment unless the matter had progressed to court action.

Now over a month down the line, she's still not received anything!


Do you have any updates Pixie?