Paul, Thanks for that, I will look at the websites now, great help! What would you get out of an action against Trading Standards? People wont get money back will they? Thanks

Paul, Thanks for that, I will look at the websites now, great help! What would you get out of an action against Trading Standards? People wont get money back will they? Thanks

I know, it is really bad, but they did say legal action would have to be against the partners and two of them have left the country, so will be really tricky! If you do find a solicitor please let me know how it goes and if there is anything we can do? I'll do the same. Thanks

Hi Thanks for your reply, yes I have read this story, just find it a bit odd that nobody else has posted on the net about the telephone numbers being out of use, or if anyone knows is the company is going under. Got to call Trading Standards back in a bit so will post the info incase anyone else is looking. Thanks

Hi all, I was wondering if anyone has heard of this company/situation. My father ordered a hot tub back in Nov 09, paid by cheque upfront (had to pay in full for delivery), he was told in the letter that it would take a minimum of 12 weeks to be custom made. He waited and waited, nothing! He called them, had a letter telling him he that the hot tub was due to be shipped on or around 21 June 2010. He still hasnt received it. So now Im on the case trying to find out what the hells going on, a solicitors letter went out to them about 2 weeks ago, not a harsh letter but one just to get the goods delivered. No response off the company. So I emailed them today, still nothing and then I thought I would ring them, now the telephone lines are dead! Tried looking for info on the net, all thats on there is how other people have been treated badly etc. Does anyone know if this company is still trading? Got an alternative telephone number? Any advice would be great. Thanks!

Is there any further progress with the legal action? Does anyone know? Thanks x

No probs, hope it brings some luck ourway - but I doubt it! Fingers x'd though!

Well I emailed the FOS in relation to the sales rep not signing the enrolment form and the terms and conditions, here is the reply... If you started the course, you have contracted by conduct. However if you wish to pursue the point of enforceability, your case may well be better suited to a court of law. However, I would remind you that by studying, you have derived a benefit from the course materials; therefore I find it difficult to foresee a finding in your favour on this basis. This is my initial opinion based on the submissions to date, based on your request for an assessment. Please advise if you wish to continue with your complaint via the FOS. What ever you email the FOS its not good enough - u'd have more luck getting blood out of a stone!! I give up!!!

Well I will send it off today and as soon as I have a response from any of them I will post it on here. Wish me luck!

Yes - after reading again you might be on to something! Should I include that in my response to the FOS? And my letter to BPF/Mercers?

There is no place on the enrolement form for the sales rep to sign - just STUDENT SIGNATURE & FINANCE APPLICANT SIGNATURE. Where you refer to the t&c - it says: No contract exists between you and us for the supply of the services until the completed enrolement form has been signed by both you and a person who has authority to sign the enrolement form on your behalf.... - This means that its either signed by a student or someone else paying the finance or if you cant sign someone else will on your behalf - no signature needed from the sales rep on this form.

Where to do they admit it - can't see it on the letters? Thanks Maria

Hi Did the pushy sales rep tell you to read the terms and conditions on the back of the enrolement form? He didnt with my husband and thats where it clearly says about the length of training lasting 2 years only! So p**d about that!! Did this happen with others? Surely this is mis-selling aswell???? Fuzbutt can this be brought up with the group action?

What was the PKF email?

Oh well may aswell send the letter to Mercers anyway.... Here it is if anyone wants to copy bits / or tell me if they think its ok before I send it???? (sorry dont know how to add it as a link) Dear Sir/Madam Re: Reply to your letter and telephone conversations I refer to your letter of July 10th 2010, I write in respect to my credit agreement signed on 28th January 2009 to purchase the Advent IT long distance training course. I have phoned Barclays Partner Finance and written on many occasions, last I was told my account was on hold as I am currently complaining about this matter to the Financial Ombudsmen Service, after my complaint was brushed off by Barclays. I am also seeking legal action regarding this matter. I am not willing to accept Computeach as an alternative like for like training provider: They do not provide the course options I signed up for with Advent. They do not provide unlimited attempts at the exams with no extra charge. They do not allow extended ‘flexible & at your own pace’ study – if you don’t complete the course within 12 months you PAY more. This was not the deal with Advent which was one flat fee, regardless of how long it took to complete. Their exams are only taken in Dudley, not at any local exam centre as Advent promised, using a voucher system. There is no dedicated recruitment team, as Advent promised, sourcing work placements within a 15 mile radius of my home. They provide atrocious service and have been found wanting by Dudley Trading Standards, the Financial Ombudsman and their own students who are currently taking legal action against them! Note also that current CT students claim that their course materials are out of date and poor quality. In the circumstances I am left with having to pay off a loan for a product I do not want and cannot afford as there is no Advent course for me to complete; which would lead to a better paid career, and so there is no way of making up this cost. I feel I was mis-sold the Advent course by a happy go lucky sales rep on commission. I signed the Advent contract after a visit from this sales rep and their promises of; · Employment after passing the first A+ exam in my local area, with personalised help from a dedicated careers team. · The course was ‘study in your own time’ with long time limits of 2 years, even 3, which could be extendable at no extra cost to the initial fee. · Un-limited exam re-sits at no extra cost if needed. · Exams could be taken using a voucher system at a local Pearson Vue (or similar) Exam Centre. · Unlimited phone/email support with a dedicated mentor. This course and loan was inappropriately offered to me, I paid for MSCE courses but had no prior IT industry experience (necessary according to Microsoft guidelines!). The Loan was also offered to me even though I am on a low income with a mortgage to pay at an astronomical 29.8% interest (unfair within the meaning of section 140A of the CCA 1974.) The pressured sales (offer only available for a limited time, promises of employment) are a breach of the Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008. In reality, support was often unavailable or of poor quality. Course materials were of poor quality and contained out of date material irrelevant to the Microsoft examinations. The Careers Support proved to be little more than help with a CV and notifying of job vacancies in my local area, already available in local press. I am not willing to be passed to another company with a worse reputation. Barclays Partner Finance: Breach of S75 They have breached the contracts under S75 of the Consumer Credit Act by failing to provide a suitable alternative training provider within an acceptable timescale - there was a gap of over 2 months where I was in limbo. During this time, Barclays PF constantly promised they were in the process of sourcing this training, while I was left without any course support. Unfair loan arrangements & enforcement BPF loans may be breaking acceptable banking guidelines in the level of interest charged (APR of 29.8% is unfair within the meaning of section 140A of the CCA 1974.) Ongoing enforcement action against myself by BPF under the loan agreements, following the administration of Advent/Access, is unfair conduct within the meaning of section 140A of the CCA. Accordingly, I request that you freeze the loan and interest payments and stop adding administration charges for late payment to my account and note this on my credit file. I have referred the matter to the FOS and taken legal advice on the loan agreement under section 75 Consumer Credit Act, and any other options that may be available to me. Mercers, your letter stated there should be a copy of the current office of fair trading information sheet including by default – this was missing, please could you send me a copy. Please put all correspondence in writing in future. Yours sincerely, CC: Barclays Partner Finance