Disputed Invoice - Advice?

[RanchoGrande]

Hi

Wondering if anyone has any experience with unpaid invoices?

Our LTD company is disputing an invoice for some work carried out at one of our retail units. The company who carried out the work were totally incompetent and caused further damage to the equipment they were supposed to be repairing - I have paid the cost of the parts but due to the problems they caused I am not paying their labour charges. The invoice comes to around £400 which I am refusing to pay as they left live cables hanging in our roof space, they did not stay as long as they suggested they did plus they didn't install the parts I paid for correctly (if at all). Trouble is, I can't prove this really and I guess they can't prove otherwise either.

I've now had a letter from a recovery agent threatening me with litigation so my question really is this: what's the worst that can happen here? Will I end up with bailiffs knocking at my door or will it go court?

I know it's not a massive invoice, it's just that they have already had over £700 from me for other work and I resent them demanding more given how awful they were.

Thanks in advance

Edited by RanchoGrande on Friday 11th September 21:27

[RanchoGrande]

Hi, it's a company based in Harley Street, London. I thought only private doctors hung about around those parts! I guess these debt agencies try the scare tactics as most people will just pay up for fear of ending up with a bailiff at the door.

I'm not normally one to leave bills unpaid but these guys were a joke. I just don't want to end up in court or with a ccj.

I'm planning on ignoring it for a bit, see how it escalates.

Does your company threaten you with any final consequences if you don't pay up?

[RanchoGrande]

Thanks for the responses so far.

The work was carried out back in February and I made it very clear to them that I was not happy with how they left the job and the errors they made. This has also been communicated to them several times since they began chasing this invoice.

They've not offered to rectify the issues and I've since given up on trying to fix the broken equipment as it's going to be too expensive to put right.

Edited by RanchoGrande on Saturday 12th September 12:57

[RanchoGrande]

An update on this...the regional collection officers are visiting me during October. The letters are getting a little more threatening. Can they legally remove stuff from our premises in this way?

[RanchoGrande]

VX Foxy said:

Have you read the responses and advice above?

Yes, it's just the letters are becoming increasingly menacing and I've not dealt with a situation like this before.

[RanchoGrande]

Simpo Two said:

If they could, there'd be no need for courts or legal process. It's sabre rattling designed to scare you into paying up. Have you communicated in writing with them or being passive?

I've communicated in writing with the debt collectors that the invoice is in dispute. According to their letter, a chap called Denzil Obeneke is going to be paying me a personal visit next month!

[RanchoGrande]

JustinP1 said:

The Equaliser?


st. They're serious.

Edited by JustinP1 on Tuesday 29th September 12:22

st's getting real!

[RanchoGrande]

chippy348 said:

They all must use the same MO !

I had a post card from the people chasing me xyz was going to do a doorstep call on zxy day, that day came and went months ago. All it is scare scare tactics.

I also disputed the sum with the company yet they still send me Emails every day, we are now on "Notice Of County Court Proceedings" Email.

So I won't waste my time waiting in for Denzil then.... this is the company: http://www.harleylegal.co.uk/

[RanchoGrande]

Just had a reminder from the debt collectors:

"As you are aware our external agent is due to visit this week to collect the outstanding debt. Please ensure you have cash available for the visit, including the £85.00 charge"

Sounds like Denzil is expecting me to hand over the cash when he arrives. I'm genuinely surprised that this company think that people will just hand over cash to a stranger that knocks on the door - maybe some folk do, I'm not planning to though.

[RanchoGrande]

Simpo Two said:

'Dear Debt Collectors, I took a day off work to meet Denzil but he didn't show up. Enclosed is my invoice for £150 in lieu of lost earnings. Payment due within 14 days.'

Yes! That'll blow their minds.

He didn't show up today, so no pictures I'm afraid.

[RanchoGrande]

VX Foxy said:

Any update?

Denzil didn't show up despite the debt collectors assuring me that he'd be arriving to collect their dosh. I've since had another letter written in capitals with lots of use of bold and underlining. The threats did worry me for a short while but then I remembered it's just scare tactics.

Apparently litigation is now looming and I'll be in court pretty quickly. I hope it does go to court, I'd like to go just for the 'experience'

On a serious note, what exactly happens when these things end up in court? Would it be the debt collectors standing there saying 'you owe me money' and me saying 'no I don't'

[RanchoGrande]

thanks for the info guys, it's always useful to know what *could* happen so you can be best prepared. I guess a lot of people will pony up the cash after threats like these as it's the fear of the unknown that these companies play on. Like me for example, I've never been to court and never been in a situation like this so I have absolutely no clue about what the end result could be.

[RanchoGrande]

UPDATE: After the last letter stated that that would be the very last letter with no further correspondence I was surprised to receive another letter today. This letter is giving me one final chance to pay although it does state that they have now submitted the papers to the Central London County Court. It says that if I pay now they will withdraw them (is that even possible?) I'm also being warned that this debt has now been lodged with Dunn & Bradstreet, Experian and Equifax so my business credit rating is now damaged.

The final threat is that I will now face SUBSTANTIAL legal fees on top of the original debt. Wondering how much these legal fees could be?

[RanchoGrande]

It's from Denzil and his merry men. Same company.

[RanchoGrande]

Jasandjules said:

Ah ok.

Have you written and informed them the debt is disputed and if they prejudice your credit record you will invite the DPA to take action against them......

Yes about the dispute but no about the credit record issue. They are such A-holes that they will have a pre-written quote to come back at me with if I question the legitimacy of their credit rating threat.

[RanchoGrande]

vikingaero said:

If you are concerned about visits or telephone calls you only need to send ONE letter to HarleyScamLegal by recorded delivery to tell them to cease and desist:

(1) No phone calls to your business or mobiles
(2) No emails
(3) Remove their implied right to visit
(4) Invoice them £150 per unsolicited call/email/visit
(5) Allow them to communicate only in writing

Fortunately they don't call or email, just letters sent via Royal Mail.

It does make me wonder how these companies exist if it's all just threats? I guess the debt recovery success rate must be high otherwise people wouldn't hire them.