Remember my little run-in with Books Direct?

Remember my run-in with Books Direct not long ago?

Books Direct - shit company

Well I thought it was all sorted until a couple of weeks ago when I got a letter from a debt collector demanding the money for the books I didn't order and had sent back to them.

I phoned them up and remained remarkably calm but firm. I went through the entire saga from the start. Again. The person I spoke to said that as it was so long ago they would credit my account.

I asked for a letter of confirmation and also confirmation that this wouldn't appear as late payments on my credit file.

Flunky: "We haven't blacklisted you sir."
Wonko: "That's not what I'm asking. This will show as late payments for credit."
F: "We haven't blacklisted you sir."
W: "Yes, you said but I'm not talking about that. This will be registered as late payments because it's revolving credit. I want confirmation that it won't show up."
F: "Errrr. Yes, we'll confirm that sir."
W: "You don't sound very confident, are you sure?"
F: "Errrr. Yes, we'll send you the letter."

Not entirely convinced of the last promise but crediting the account I expected to happen.

How wrong could I be?

On Thursday I received a letter from a solicitor demanding the money plus £50 costs within 14 days otherwise they would take me to court.

There are advantages to having once been a debt collector ...

Flunky: "Can I confirm yuor name and address please."
Wonko: Gave her name and address
F: "Can I take a contact phone number please?"
W: "No."
F: "Can I confirm your occupation please?"
W: "No."
F: "Errrrr. Ok, what can I do for you?"
W: You've sent this letter for an outstanding account with Books Direct and there is no balance outstanding - etc, etc, etc, whole saga again - anyway, I'm going to take them to court for harrassment, costs and compensations so it's up to you if you want to be a part of that."
F: "We've heard nothing from our client since they instructed us."
W: "That's their problem, not mine - they're the ones who are incompetent, not me."
F: "Do you have anything in writing?"
W: "No, I told you they keep promising to send me letters and then don't."
F: "I'll have to put the account on hold until we get instructions sir."
W: "Ok. One other thing."
F: "Yes?"
W: "Your letter says that you're going to take me to court unless I pay up in 14 days. Presumably you're aware that your client hasn't issued me with a CCA notice or a Formal Demand so you can't actually take me to court can you?"
F: "Well, it's up to our client if it goes to court."
W: "Yes but you can't actually take me to court though can you?"
F: "Errrr. We'll take that into account sir."
W: "Ok, I'm just telling you for your own benefit really. It is actually against the law to misrepresent facts in a letter like this after all."
F: "Errrr. We'll take that into account."
W: "Ok, bye."

Stay tuned for the next thrilling installment.