HELP! Threats of debt colletion

Evie's_mum

I would really appreciate any advice from from you financial clever clogs. I joined a book club about 2 years ago, and after a couple of heated exchanges with them regarding unsolicited (and indeed clearly unwanted 'Editors Choice' items being sent to me - I refused in no uncertain terms, they sent them anyway), I told them I felt they had behaved inappropriately and as a result I cancelled my membership (without having bought anything). The woman at the service centre said this was fine. I have since put all catalogues from them in the bin.

Today I received a letter telling me I was being referred to debt collectors for the sum of £60 unpaid "Unfulfilled commitment charge". We are on IVA's and I just can't afford £60 at the moment - I am having a big ole panic. Any advice?

Thank you thank you in advance.

john_s_2

I don't know the terms & conditions (T&Cs) of the bookclub you joined, but when my wife was a member of one she was offered the Editor's Choice with each monthly catalogue. If she didn't return the order form, declining the book, then she was sent it. IIRC she could then return the book, for which no charge was made. She usually remembered to return the form to say she didn't want the Editor's Choice, but on one occasion she forgot, and it was sent to us.

It was actually quite a good book (!!) so we decided to pay for it anyway.

You say that you refused the Editor's Choice "in no uncertain terms". Can I assume this was in line with the T&Cs you entered into? If so then they should not have sent them to you (nor charged you for them). Do you still have the T&Cs to refer to?

Also, when my wife was a member, she had taken advantage of a special offer (six cheap books) but she had to buy six more books in her first year of membership, otherwise the full price of the six original books would be due.

Did you join the club following a similar offer? You say that you hadn't bought anything so I guess not.

What have they actually charged you £60 for? What "commitment" are they talking about?

john_s_2

I've just tried Googling the phrase "Unfulfilled commitment charge" and found this page: http://www.britishservices.co.uk/watchdog.htm Is it any of the companies mentioned on it?

Evie's_mum

<b> john s </b>
Thanks for replying. I did have the introductory offer of six books, and initially was quite happy to buy the other six books required for the membership. I ticked the box saying I did not want the editors choice package. A month or so later they rang me and tried to persuade me. I stated again and again that I didn't want it. The rep was very forceful, so I said "I don't want it, and I will be seriously unhappy if you send it. I am going to put the phone down now". I was very firm, but polite. A few days later they arrived regardless, so I phoned them and stated that that i was unhappy, and that as they were not living up to their end of the bargain I was terminating the agreement. The rep said that was fine.
Now (over a year later) I received this demand letter. To be honest I had been binning most of the catalogues they had sent without reading them, so I may have missed a prior warning. I don't still have the T&C's , but they may be on the website, so I will check it out - thanks for that tip. The £60 is because I didn't buy the extra books - even though I stated that I wasn't going to. When I rang them today the rep was VERY rude and talked over me - denying I had ever rang them about it! Grrr.

The company was "Books for Children", and judging by the other comments they don't have a great reputation!

Debt_Free_Chick

Evie's_mum wrote: »

I did have the introductory offer of six books, and initially was quite happy to buy the other six books required for the membership.

<snip>

The £60 is because I didn't buy the extra books - even though I stated that I wasn't going to.

OK I'm confused now.

You had an introductory offer of six books which you bought. In return you had to buy a further six books ..... did you buy them?

Debt_Free_Chick

Is it this deal?

Evie's_mum

Debt_Free_Chick wrote: »

Is it this deal?

It wasn't that deal when I joined (you didn't need to refuse the editors choice on a monthly basis - just the once, allegedly), but it was very close.

I bought the initial six books as part of the introductory offer, but not the further six books I needed to fulfill the requirement, (as a result of their dodgy practice). At the time they indicated that this was fine.

Thanks for replying

kelise

this same thing happened to me with the same company. after a few arguments we came to a deal where they would give me another year to purchase the 6 other books. so instead of paying the £60 fee and receiving nothing for it. i just bought 6 books at the cheapest prices of about £3 or £4 each. i even sold them on ebay and made a profit. haha

john_s_2

Hi, I'm sorry to hear this. I only Googled that phrase out of curiosity. Using speechmarks (so Google only returns hits with the exact phrase) returned only hits relating to bookclubs. Including Books For Children.

It seems they don't have a great reputation. They should never have sent you the Editor's Choice after ticking the form accordingly, AND explaining as much to the salesman who called you. I'm pleased to say we had no such problems with the bookclub my wife joined years ago (forget who now).

If I was in your shoes I'd contact Citizens' Advice Bureaux. It sounds like you'll need to meet them halfway at least (you did, after all, agree to buy six more books although I agree you didn't bargain for cold calls after already saying you didn't want the Editor's Choice, and then still ignoring your wishes).

Good luck with it.

Evie's_mum

Thanks so much for the replies folks - it has given me some ideas.