phs wastetech problems any advice

[Tobydog100]

Hi Mark
I actually didn't expect to win so had not even thought about my own expenses. The judge asked me if I wanted to claim anything but i was still in shock so just declined, saying I was just glad it was all over!
Can I claim retrospectively perhaps?
Gary

 

[littlebiz]

BBC has finally stumbled across the story: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-18017722

Maybe this will help. Need to get the law changed, really.

Transcript here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01h73pl

 

[littlebiz]

Trouble at PHS?http://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/...262398/PHS-boss-leaves-amid-sale-process.html

 

[TDobe]

Just about 2 years I read some of the archive messages on this forum (dating back to March 2008) and found them really helpful with our PHS problems. Like others, we had been enticed by promises of a cheaper, better service from PHS and moved our waste contract to them; only to find the actual bill amounts escalating way beyond any relationship to agreed charges and various 'creative' amounts for admin. Customer service was absolutely disgraceful - you could picture the scene at the other end of the 'phone with the call centre staff kicking back in their chairs and taking the ...... out of you before saying "I will go and speak to my manager" which actually seemed to equate to "I will go and put the kettle on and then come back and tell you that we CAN charge you whatever you like because it is all in the small print on the back of the contract". (Incidentally - just how small can 'small print' get?). It seemed impossible to end the contract with them. After repeatedly complaining to one guy in particular, we negotiated a more honest deal to override our contract, but the paperwork arrived inaccurate (3 times) and he eventually admitted that "his manager" would not agree to the new contract (even though he had informed me that it was legally binding when we verbally agreed to it) and that we would have to stay with them for a further 14 months - on their terms. I was so annoyed at this point I researched as much as possible and found so many other small companies in the same situation. This forum was invaluable and, armed with knowledge gained, I wrote a lengthy,(recorded delivery), factual letter to Peter Cohen, the then MD at Caerphilly, and requested him to personally arrange for the immediate termination of the contract or, alternatively accept our one months' notice (as allowed under their Service Schedule 5.4). I informed him that we would cancel further direct debits to PHS and calculate what we actually owed, in line with our contract, and send it to them. I requested the removal of their property from our premises within one month. Incredibly I had a very swift telephone call from the same customer service guy - but this time extremely helpful and friendly (!) who tried to smooth things over - too late!. The direct debit was cancelled - (they didnt't like that!) and we paid them up (generously) but we received numerous un-itemised 'charges', followed by threatening demands for 'unpaid invoices'. After several more irate telecons confident that we would win legally against them, and the fact that I had already involved the MD, they eventually cancelled all further charges and we were finished with them at last. It took time
.
Long post - sorry - but it was an extremely protracted and annoying matter which took a disproportionate amount of time and effort to resolve. I hope they are getting their act together now and trading honestly with their customers following so much bad press.
Advice ? Like others we would say never to use them, but if that is too late just keep digging your heels in, be prepared to put in a lot of time and effort and if necessary take it through the legal route. Small businesses just can't afford to use companies like this!

 

[littlebiz]

If you're in the process of a legal battle with PHS Wastetech over their overcharging and fictional documents you might be interested to know you're very much not alone!

PHS Wastetech brought 4920 cases against their customers between 2008 and 2012. That's 18 a week, or 3 to 4 every day!

Their legal department must be very busy! Pity their customer service department does nothing useful.

I have a list of every case number. Does anyone know how to find out the verdict of these cases using the case number?

 

[Suziedoggirl1]

Hard to believe after all this time businesses are still struggling with PHS.
The business next to me who took them to the small claims court last March (and won) had a groveling letter and phone call from PHS apologising for their short comings. 3 weeks later PHS sent them a cheque for £1,500. And this was in addition to the courts rulingof what PHS must pay. Every time I see that blue and yellow bin I feel sorry for the business concerned. I've been with Rabbit now for over a year, what a difference!

 

[pacman2812]

I think someone should set up a complaints noticeboard for the web and google ad it under PHS!
I might even do that myself if anyone's interested?
Good idea?

good idea, ill be the first to review - I was an employee at small company yet i've ended up with charging order on my home for my ex bosses debts!

 

[Crissie]

I originally posted on this topic in 2009 and I am not really surprised people continued to have problems with this company for many years. Anyway I have just read that 'BIFFA' has bought out PHS Wastetech .............
(High Wycombe, January 2014 – Biffa Group (“Biffa”), the UK’s leading integrated waste management company, today announced an agreement to acquire the commercial waste business of PHS All Clear Ltd, known as PHS Wastetech, for £2.5m.)...............
Not wanting to decry Biffa, as I have never dealt with this company, I would just like to advise anyone entering into a waste contract to take the time to read the terms and conditions, however laborious it may seem. It could save you a lot of pain and heartache in the long run.
After finally severing all ties with PHS, I found a local waste collector, no contract to sign, very short notice and fair prices, good service. However, I fell foul of yet another company a few years later (B & M Waste) who's salesman offered the 'best' fixed prices (£2 per lift cheaper) and conditions, promised the earth and was it too good to be true? Yes, I didn't read all the small print (fool me), prices constantly rising, additional charges etc, and again it took a lot of getting out of contract. I have now returned to the local firm and I don't think I will be leaving them any time soon. My advice.......support your small local businesses and leave the big rip off merchants alone and DO NOT believe anything a salesman tells you, no matter how 'nice' they may seem, as I have learnt to my peril.