We’d like to remind Forumites to please avoid political debate on the Forum.

This is to keep it a safe and useful space for MoneySaving discussions. Threads that are – or become – political in nature may be removed in line with the Forum’s rules. Thank you for your understanding.

📨 Have you signed up to the Forum's new Email Digest yet? Get a selection of trending threads sent straight to your inbox daily, weekly or monthly!
The Forum now has a brand new text editor, adding a bunch of handy features to use when creating posts. Read more in our how-to guide

Free seminar

Hi

I received a personal invitation to a free seminar through work looked good thought I might go, after all it was free,but wanted to think about it, over the next couple of days received e-mails saying would lose free place if I didn't sign up, so at that point I thought might as well, if I cant someone else might be interested, so i signed and yes I did tick the terms and conditions box, didn't really read it because it was free .... and then

Found I couldn't go
told I would be charged £495 for non attendance unless I found a replacement
Then found out had gone against company policy signing up in the first place
Advised them of this thought that would be the end of it
Nope now have a letter from a solicitor threatening taking me to court if I don't pay in 7 days

I think I have rights under the Consumer protection Regs in that I was misled, it was 'free' except clearly it isn't, do I fight or do I pay, any thoughts/advice as to best way to proceed appreciated

Jill

Comments

  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 35,383 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Photogenic Name Dropper
    Assuming the fee for non-attendance was in the terms you didn't read, I would pay - or negotiate a smaller final payment.
  • DCFC79
    DCFC79 Posts: 40,644 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Hi

    I received a personal invitation to a free seminar through work looked good thought I might go, after all it was free,but wanted to think about it, over the next couple of days received e-mails saying would lose free place if I didn't sign up, so at that point I thought might as well, if I cant someone else might be interested, so i signed and yes I did tick the terms and conditions box, didn't really read it because it was free .... and then

    Found I couldn't go
    told I would be charged £495 for non attendance unless I found a replacement
    Then found out had gone against company policy signing up in the first place
    Advised them of this thought that would be the end of it
    Nope now have a letter from a solicitor threatening taking me to court if I don't pay in 7 days

    I think I have rights under the Consumer protection Regs in that I was misled, it was 'free' except clearly it isn't, do I fight or do I pay, any thoughts/advice as to best way to proceed appreciated

    Jill

    Who on earth do you work for where you get offered to go to a free seminar but you ticked the t&c's box.
  • davidmcn
    davidmcn Posts: 23,596 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    I think I have rights under the Consumer protection Regs
    If it was "through work" then it's likely this is a business-to-business contract, not a consumer one.
  • Aylesbury_Duck
    Aylesbury_Duck Posts: 16,311 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    As above. If you signed up as an employee then you don't have consumer rights and the terms you agreed to are those in force.

    Have you explained the situation to your employer? Surely it's they who are liable for the £495.
  • mattyprice4004
    mattyprice4004 Posts: 7,492 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Another lesson in not storming ahead without reading the fine print, but there’ll be another thread on the same topic tomorrow... ��!♂️

    Negotiate a smaller settlement and don’t be so tick happy next time.
This discussion has been closed.
Meet your Ambassadors

🚀 Getting Started

Hi new member!

Our Getting Started Guide will help you get the most out of the Forum

Categories

  • All Categories
  • 353.7K Banking & Borrowing
  • 254.2K Reduce Debt & Boost Income
  • 455.1K Spending & Discounts
  • 246.8K Work, Benefits & Business
  • 603.3K Mortgages, Homes & Bills
  • 178.2K Life & Family
  • 260.8K Travel & Transport
  • 1.5M Hobbies & Leisure
  • 16K Discuss & Feedback
  • 37.7K Read-Only Boards

Is this how you want to be seen?

We see you are using a default avatar. It takes only a few seconds to pick a picture.