Court Action Advice

[Toon]

I decided to advertise on a wholesale directory at a cost of £365 + vat per annum. The wholesale directory wrote a brief explaination of what my website offered ad placed it in three different categories (menswear, ladieswear and kidswear). I never choose which three categories I wanted and a couple of weeks later when I was viewing their website I noticed they had put me in the kids section even though I never sold any kids clothing. I sent them an email asking for it to be moved to a different section but after a week I had no reply to the email so forwarded it again but still never got any reply. Another week later they phoned me asking why I had not paid their invoice so I advised it was because I was unhappy with the categories and indeed the lack of good service. They agreed to change to category but this was at least three weeks after they initially put my adverts on the site and I had wasted 3 weeks worth of advertising money because they were targetting the wrong audience. A few days later they had took my listing off and had contacted a credit agency. The credit agency is now asking for £492.06 even though I have old the situation. I faxed them what had happened and shortly received a reply from the wholsale directory saying I was telling "pure lies"! They also say they "would not consider listing you again in our directory". Therefore their now asking for £492.06 for 3 weeks advertising (to the wrong audience)!!!
Advice?

 

[mumper]

Hi Toon,

I've been in your situation before now and have found that credit collection agencies are not bothered with the reasons for non-payment, they just want their money - the best thing you could do would be to contact a solicitor and take legal advice.

 

[DuaneJackson]

I have no legal qualifications whatsoveer so insert big disclaimer here -->

If i were you I'd make sure I'd logged all correspondend with dates, etc. And minuted telephone calls.

Refuse to pay, explain to them why in writing, write to the collection agency explaining why. Perhaps offering to pay 1/12 of what's owed (for one month)

I sassume the next step if you refuse to pay is court? If so you get a chance to argue your case. If you have been fair throughout you should be OK.

You might want to check it would go to court though, you don't really want the baliffs knocking on your door!

 

[bwglaw]

If you contact us direct at [email protected] we can look into the matter for you and advise accordingly