Conned by a Car Check


Whilst looking to purchase a used car, I downloaded a report on it. The site charged £5.95 which seemed reasonable for peace of mind.
3 days later they took £39.90 as a ‘subscription’. I complained that I hadn’t signed up to anything and wanted a refund.
They have refused on the grounds it’s clearly stated on their website & I agreed to it. They also mention three levels of offer in the reports which aren’t mentioned on any of the pages I saw.
I don’t even know where I can complain to but I dispute in the strongest way I can that this charge is ‘clearly stated’
The site I used was car-checking.com

anybody else experience similar and have any success with a refund?? Or do I just accept a painful defeat….

Comments

  • DullGreyGuy
    DullGreyGuy Posts: 17,414 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Second Anniversary Name Dropper
    Have you gone back through the process since (whilst not logged in) and actually read what you clicked to agree to? Does it say you are doing a £5.95 trial and then going onto a £39.90 subscription?
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,599 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    Not sure how much clearer they can make it🤷‍♀️

    https://car-checking.com/

    8th line down on main start page.
    Get a full access to your Car History for £39,90/month

    Section where it lists the various costing options & what you get for each.
    £5.95 clearly lists £39.90 subscription after 48 hours as one of these (2nd from bottom)

    So unless co are prepared to refund. Then there is no other way to get the money back.


    Life in the slow lane
  • FlorayG
    FlorayG Posts: 2,082 Forumite
    Seventh Anniversary 1,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    I think that's what you might call a 'legal con'. 
    You didn't read the t&c so you signed up for something you didn't intend to. I'm sure that website catches lots of people with that offer but they aren't 'conning' you, they say what the rules are and hope you don't read them
  • DjangoUnchained
    DjangoUnchained Posts: 507 Forumite
    Fourth Anniversary 100 Posts Name Dropper
    I was once caught out by something similar a few years ago. Technically i was wrong as the details were buried in not very clear terms and conditions. I reported it to my bank and i dont know what they did but they got me refunded. Try your banks?
  • born_again
    born_again Posts: 19,599 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Fifth Anniversary Name Dropper
    I was once caught out by something similar a few years ago. Technically i was wrong as the details were buried in not very clear terms and conditions. I reported it to my bank and i dont know what they did but they got me refunded. Try your banks?
    As Op had not cancelled there is no chargeback right.
    TBH @ £39.90 you have a catch a rep on a good day for them to write it off, as good will.
    Life in the slow lane
  • visidigi
    visidigi Posts: 6,546 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Yeah there is no way they could have made this any clearer really...as soon as you click the download link this page loads:


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