Cancelling a business contract before work starts

[Laura Rogers]

Hi Louise,

The exact same thing happened to me just before Xmas. I feel like such a fool as I am usually so on the ball with things like this but like you said they put you on the spot and use all their sales techniques. I said that I was worried about paying that sort of money in the meeting but they put the pressure on and reduced the deposit for me so I ended up agreeing.

It has been so interesting reading this thread thank you so much. Exactly the same thing happened with the iPad in face for a quick sign and wanting to cancel straight away after Ben left but being told it is non cancellable only after the meeting when I tried to cancel. Hiding the terms and conditions. So many bad reviews on trust pilot and google too (obviously found all of this after they left).

The tone of emails to me is exactly the same - they basically bully and patronise you. I can’t believe their last email to you !

I have said that I can’t afford this now with having to close for the pandemic and literally no income. They have said that they will hold off any payment until the advert is in place and then let me pay over 12 months after it is live. I haven’t paid anything either.

What I was thinking was that I find it hard to believe that the NHS would work with a company like this. Could we try and contact the NHS directly ?

 

[Red Wood]

Ignore, they will eventually go away... This as referenced in this thread many times before is a cut and paste scam. Been going on for years in one way or another.

They used to send letters to lists generated from companies House with an invoice attached for advertising services rendered. I guess some would settle them, but majority just ignore.

Don't be intimidated by these low lives.

 

[tsutton]

Is there any update on this??

 

[Louise Hill]

Update, they have continued to harass me, and I have continued to ignore their emails and calls every week. They seem to go through phases of harassing me and then its all quiet and so it goes on... the person that was on my case continually apparently left as someone new started calling and emailing me again and then threatened legal action etc again, but nothing has materialized as yet and hopefully they will just forget it one day, the contract was up in like October last year and I can't see anything pertaining to anything rolling over with the contract. I sent emails in the beginning to say I wanted to cancel and not to do any work etc on my behalf so I am hoping that is enough to stop any roll over if there was one...
I have definitely learnt my lesson with this and will NEVER sign anything again without speaking to my partner...
Thank you all for your help and advise along the way,. it was a great help and it was very much appreciated, not feeling like I was on my own and that there were good people like you guys out there to give advice... thanks

 

[Louise Hill]

Update - I have now been set a letter from Cristen-Dex a no win no fee debt recovery company trying to collect the debt and threatening legal action if I don't pay, I have just ignored the letter, and today's email...
Original amount was £1560
Now claiming £2117.88
I can only assume they will try to put this through small claims court...
Any advice please??
thanks

 

[gpietersz]

On what grounds are they claiming the extra amount?

AFAIK it will have to go through small claims which means neither side can claim costs.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Update - I have now been set a letter from Cristen-Dex a no win no fee debt recovery company trying to collect the debt and threatening legal action if I don't pay, I have just ignored the letter, and today's email...
Original amount was £1560
Now claiming £2117.88
I can only assume they will try to put this through small claims court...
Any advice please??
thanks

My advice would remain unchanged

if you want an easy life, pay up & move on.

If you want to fight your corner, let them take you to court, put your case & take your chances.

 

[Louise Hill]

On what grounds are they claiming the extra amount?

AFAIK it will have to go through small claims which means neither side can claim costs.

Thanks for that info I did not know that, I guess they want to add interest... I will take my chances in court if it gets to that... hmmm

 

[Louise Hill]

My advice would remain unchanged

if you want an easy life, pay up & move on.

If you want to fight your corner, let them take you to court, put your case & take your chances.

thanks Mark

 

[japancool]

Please note, should artwork not be received, an advertisement will be created and published without your approval.

It seems to me that if they do this, you would have a case to sue them for damages and misrepresenting your business.

 

[japancool]

Have they actually fulfilled the terms of the contract?

 

[Louise Hill]

Have they actually fulfilled the terms of the contract?

I have no idea what they did as I have been blocking any contact with them, but as I did not have one client that came to me from any "advertising in a hospital" I doubt it.... the contract ended in October last year...
Thinking about this all again, it still irks me that they called me in the beginning saying that they were from "epsom and st. helier general hospital" of course they were not but that's how they hooked me in the first place.... I know the entire mess is my fault for falling for their lies in the first place...

 

[japancool]

I have no idea what they did as I have been blocking any contact with them, but as I did not have one client that came to me from any "advertising in a hospital" I doubt it.... the contract ended in October last year...
Thinking about this all again, it still irks me that they called me in the beginning saying that they were from "epsom and st. helier general hospital" of course they were not but that's how they hooked me in the first place.... I know the entire mess is my fault for falling for their lies in the first place...

They can't very well invoice for work not done.

 

[Louise Hill]

Hi Louise,

The exact same thing happened to me just before Xmas. I feel like such a fool as I am usually so on the ball with things like this but like you said they put you on the spot and use all their sales techniques. I said that I was worried about paying that sort of money in the meeting but they put the pressure on and reduced the deposit for me so I ended up agreeing.

It has been so interesting reading this thread thank you so much. Exactly the same thing happened with the iPad in face for a quick sign and wanting to cancel straight away after Ben left but being told it is non cancellable only after the meeting when I tried to cancel. Hiding the terms and conditions. So many bad reviews on trust pilot and google too (obviously found all of this after they left).

The tone of emails to me is exactly the same - they basically bully and patronise you. I can’t believe their last email to you !

I have said that I can’t afford this now with having to close for the pandemic and literally no income. They have said that they will hold off any payment until the advert is in place and then let me pay over 12 months after it is live. I haven’t paid anything either.

What I was thinking was that I find it hard to believe that the NHS would work with a company like this. Could we try and contact the NHS directly ?

Hi Laura
Just wondering where you are with all this??

 

[Louise Hill]

Ok guys well almost almost 2yrs later I have now received a Claim Form from the County Court giving me 14 days to pay.. or disagree with the claim ..
Original amount was £1560 - now £2300 with. interest. and costs...
Not sure what to do now....
Any advice please?

 

[Newchodge]

Ok guys well almost almost 2yrs later I have now received a Claim Form from the County Court giving me 14 days to pay.. or disagree with the claim ..
Original amount was £1560 - now £2300 with. interest. and costs...
Not sure what to do now....
Any advice please?

Is it a claim form or is it a form from the County Court requiring that you enter your defence and/or counterclaim within 14 days? There is a HUGE difference.

 

[Louise Hill]

Is it a claim form or is it a form from the County Court requiring that you enter your defence and/or counterclaim within 14 days? There is a HUGE difference.

Hi, I am not too sure to be honest, it says CLAIM FORM

 

[Louise Hill]

Hi, I am not too sure to be honest, it says CLAIM FORM

I will try to attach it here for you. to see? I can't see how to attach it

 

[Louise Hill]

Is it a claim form or is it a form from the County Court requiring that you enter your defence and/or counterclaim within 14 days? There is a HUGE difference.

Here is a link to the document please could you have a look.
<deleted>The documents contains personal information and passwords</deleted>

 

[IanSuth]

I love the fact they claim an advertisement was installed in a hospital just as Covid stopped all visits to hospitals (they list 28/2/20 and lockdown was announced 16/3/20) - I would think that would be enough of an argument that they had not provided 1 years worth of advertising even if the rest held. You could ring Epsom trust and ask them, i doubt you are first top complain and they may have a stock statement you can use).

Here is a news story from 18/3/20 about that hospitals restrictions on visiting
https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/london-coronavirus-how-st-helier-17946125

 

[fisicx]

Ask them to prove the advert was installed.

 

[Louise Hill]

I love the fact they claim an advertisement was installed in a hospital just as Covid stopped all visits to hospitals (they list 28/2/20 and lockdown was announced 16/3/20) - I would think that would be enough of an argument that they had not provided 1 years worth of advertising even if the rest held. You could ring Epsom trust and ask them, i doubt you are first top complain and they may have a stock statement you can use).

Here is a news story from 18/3/20 about that hospitals restrictions on visiting
https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/london-coronavirus-how-st-helier-17946125

Thanks Ian, I will call the hospital tomorrow and see what I can find out..

 

[Newchodge]

Thanks Ian, I will call the hospital tomorrow and see what I can find out..

I would not bother.

The claim form. does it have a number on it. Does it come attached with instructions on what to do, submit this defence and/or counterclaim within 14 days, type of thing. If it just says you must pay within 14 days ignore it. It is a common ploy to complete a claim form and send it toi the alleged debtor, in the hope they think it is a court issued document. Is there a court name anywhere near the top of the form?

 

[fisicx]

The form had the court address, case number, login and password details in order to submit documents and evidence.

 

[Louise Hill]

Yes it has a claim no. Court. address, and details of instructions on what to do, submit this defence and/or counterclaim within 14 days

 

[Newchodge]

Yes it has a claim no. Court. address, and details of instructions on what to do, submit this defence and/or counterclaim within 14 days

Then you need to acknowledge receipt, which extends the deadline and work out your defence.

 

[LMorgan]

Is there anyway I could be put directly in touch with Louise Hill as I think I am a victim of the same scam and have just received a letter from debt collector. I have actually received emails from the hospital stating the advertising boards don’t exist / and anything that is there is not there with correct permission and was to be removed, and would hope to avoid paying expensive legal fees if they do actually try and take me to court. Many thanks.

 

[Louise Hill]

Is there anyway I could be put directly in touch with Louise Hill as I think I am a victim of the same scam and have just received a letter from debt collector. I have actually received emails from the hospital stating the advertising boards don’t exist / and anything that is there is not there with correct permission and was to be removed, and would hope to avoid paying expensive legal fees if they do actually try and take me to court. Many thanks.

Hello, please feel free to give me a call I would love to chat with you... 07988820447 or email [email protected]

 

[ecommerce84]

Hello, please feel free to give me a call I would love to chat with you..

What was the outcome on yours in the end Louise?

Did you end up in court or is it still on going?

I have been hoping for a good outcome for you. As the company in question seems shady to say the least.

 

[Gyumri]

I would cancel the contract in writing. They would have nothing to claim by way of damages were they to sue. What loss could they claim except a loss of opportunity to make a profit? You should also state that if they incur any costs in going ahead with advertising on your behalf then they do so at their own time and expense. There may be cancellation fees to pay or specified charges, but they would have to be reasonable.

 

[Gyumri]

I wouldn't worry about being sued either - just complete the acknowledgement of service form if they sue and state that you cancelled the contract on a particular date and you deny owing them anything. Then stand your ground if it ever gets to court - the judge won't be impressed by their tactics.