I haven't launched a complaint with ofcom or consumer direct as of yet. But I have sent a very direct email to their customer services department. I got a call back from their 'executive response team' about 6 hours later. It's someone based in the US. Timing wasn't good so I wasn't able to pick up. I've sent them another email telling them to call me again becuase i'm not prepared to absorb the cost of calling a US number. I'm going to also call ofcom and see what they advise.

Thanks for the advice Cartaphilus. To make matters slightly more complex, cars seem to believe I owe £33.99, and not the £23 vonage advised me of when I originally spoke to them. I will launch the necessary complaints regarding both parties.

No, this is my only post on the matter. My biggest concern is whether this affects my credit rating. I'd like to ignore it, but this worries me. I'll see what happens for now...

FFS! So...A little on the angry side this morning/afternoon. I've received two formal letters from C.A.R.S. regarding an outstanding balance (which doesn't exist) with Vonage Limited (so it was them!), signed by Tony Murphy, C.A.R.S.'s 'Recovery Specialist'. (pathetic!) The first letter they back dated all the way to 8th July even though the first comm I had with them was via a Text Message sent 13th July. Idiots. (If I remember correctly, the letter arrived the week beginning 19th July) I ignored it, as I knew I had settled everything with Vonage on the 13th the day I got the text message. I received a 2nd letter indicating how 'extremely disappointed that we have neither received payment nor a satisfactory response to our previous letter... BLAH BLAH BLAH!' Well, boohoo! This arrived yesterday but was dated 21st July. Basically, the letter threatens to commence 'a formal debt recovery process which could involve a claim being lodged against you in your local county court'. It later says that this could lead to additional legal costs and entry of my name on to a 'judgement register' ??? which could, apparently, make it difficult for me to obtain credit in the future. (This would obviously suck as I don't want my credit rating affected in any way) And then there's more debt recovery speil about 'seizure of assets', 'charge against property', and 'direct deductions'. Idiots. Anyway. I called them and spoke to, i imagine, a receptionist who was moderately polite but less than helpful. (she couldn't wait to put the phone down.) I explained there is a misunderstanding and they need to contact vonage as I have no outstanding balance. She said they'd look into it but gave no indication of how long it would take and when I'd be informed. ... I then contacted vonage again as I am now beyond furious at receiving yet more threatening letters, and that after the first time i called them they told me they knew nothing of c.a.r.s. The person i spoke to still doesn't know and she put me on hold for over 5 minutes to see if anyone else did - still no. but after another long conversation, she said she would call the number c.a.r.s. provided and try a come to a resolution. *sigh* I tried so hard to be put in touch with someone from vonage who does know about their association to c.a.r.s. but apparently, NO ONE DOES!!!! wth? Anyway, I really hope this gets resolved and I can get formal confimation I owe nothing to either party, but frankly, I'm just as annoyed at the way vonage do business as I am about a 'chancers' debt recovery agency being on my back. What approach should I take to make formal complaints (to be honest - mainly about vonage) because I really do think the way this has all worked out has been completely pathetic?! What authorities deal with issues similar to this? Thanks for reading...it was good to rant about all this, but for now...rant over! =)

Hi, I was looking in to purchasing a health plan but there's too much to choose from. (paradox of choice) Was hoping I could get some advice. Maybe a what to avoid list or something? I'm not covered with my company so was looking for either an individual or family health insurance plan. What should I look out for when purchasing a plan and has anyone out there had any problems with their provider? Is it better to go direct or use one of the comparison sites?

They must be getting smarter. (cheekier) It shows as 'Anonymous' with only a text reference 'C.A.R.S.' So no number i'm afraid.

Yes, I believe you would have rights if they failed to provide you with an adequate service, ie. hygienic facilities. But as mentioned previously, I think you would have to make an official complaint and give them reasonably time to fix things.

Thanks guys. I need to investigate more. Perhaps it isn't faulty...I've just taken my Dad's word for it for so many years! Likeihood is that the thought of having to pay money if it wasn't faulty has put my dad of. I'll think up, and then run, some tests in due course to figure out what's going wrong. Thanks for both the responses.

I think the bottom line is - I just don't want to pay for something I don't have! And something I don't want in the future! I've paid for the first course i've taken, in full, and that's fine. I just want the money back i've paid for something I don't even have or want.

lol, good point! C.A.R.S are definite chancers with no credibility. They can wait all they want - they're not getting a phone call from me!

lol, good point! C.A.R.S are definite chancers with no credibility. They can wait all they want - they're not getting a phone call from me!

I think the bottom line is - I just don't want to pay for something I don't have! And something I don't want in the future! I've paid for the first course i've taken, in full, and that's fine. I just want the money back i've paid for something I don't even have or want.

Hi Buzby, I'm not familar with electronic commerce rules but doesn't this apply to goods and services bought and sold through the internet? Regardless, this is not the case here - if it makes any difference. The T&C's only make reference to a 7day cooling off period but also talk about having to return course materials to obtain a refund. I was just thinking because I haven't even received course materials for a second course if had grounds to request a refund. I just feel hard done by, because the 2 day event you attend before purchasing a course promised much more than you're given. In my opinion, its just a big [problem] preying on the many vulnerable who were probably out of work at the time. And 7 days is in no way enough time to evaluate a study course and determine if you want a refund! *sigh* it's just underdelievered in a big way. Maybe I should just blog about it all and hope no one else throws there money away by signing up. I'd be really surprised if the success rate of the students were in the majority. Anyway, i'm not really staying on topic here, and more just blabbering on about things. Here are a copy of the main points from the T&C's - I think its unfair - will that be enough to get my money back?!? 7. Our refunds policy 7.1 ) All deposits and course fees are non-refundable with the exception of the cooling-off period as per 7.2 7.2 ) If you cancel the Contract for any reason within the seven day cooling-off period referred to in clause 4.1 and return the Course materials we have sent you we will process the refund due to you as soon as possible and, in any case, within 30 days of the day you have given notice of your cancellation. In this case, we will refund the price of the Course in full. However, you will be responsible for the cost of returning the Course materials to us. After the 7 day cooling-off period there will be no refund on course fees and deposits. 7.3 ) We will usually refund any money received from you using the same method originally used by you to pay for your purchase 4. Consumer rights 4.1 ) If you are contracting as a consumer, you may cancel a Contract at any time within seven working days, beginning on the day after your payment. In this case, you will receive a full refund of the price paid for the Courses in accordance with our refunds policy set out in clause 7 below. 4.2 ) To cancel a Contract, you must inform us in writing. You must also return all Course materials immediately, in the same condition in which you received them, and at your own cost and risk. You have a legal obligation to take reasonable care of the Courses materials while they are in your possession. If you fail to comply with this obligation, we may have a right of action against you for compensation. 4.3 ) You may transfer to an alternative Course without charge, unless it is within two weeks of the original agreed Course date, in which event a transfer fee of £50 plus VAT per training day will be payable by you in advance of the new Course date. 4.4 ) The provisions of this clause 4 do not affect your statutory rights.

Thanks guys. I need to investigate more. Perhaps it isn't faulty...I've just taken my Dad's word for it for so many years! Likeihood is that the thought of having to pay money if it wasn't faulty has put my dad of. I'll think up, and then run, some tests in due course to figure out what's going wrong. Thanks for both the responses.

My parents own a small business and have their water supplied by Thames Water. It's metered, but the meter has been broken for a long time now. The meter constantly ticks over whether a tap inside the shop and flat above is being used or not. Many years ago my Dad enquired to Thames water about getting them to fix this but they responded back saying something to the effect of, because the meter was outside the property, it was our problem and effectively our cost to take care of. We never did get it fixed - i believe because it was too expensive. Anyhow, we've lived with it for years, and basically turn the water off at the mains when we don't need it to save money, and turn it on again when we do. (obviously this is a big pain it being outside the property - i guess its just something we've learned to live with) Can anyone offer any advice about what to do with this and whether Thames Water should indeed take responsibilty seeing as they're meant to be supplying us?! I mean, we've lived with it for so long, but would be insteresting to know whether or not there was something we could do about it. (My Dad's not too clued up with this sort of thing and probably didn't fight a hard enough battle all those years ago)