Disney Wonderful World of Reading - Contract?!
Discussion
Yip, this is in the right section.
My girlfriend is expecting our baby any day now and a couple of weeks ago she had a 'cold call' from some company going by the name of Disney Wonderful World of Reading or Hachette Partworks LTD. They had her details, address and phonenumber.
We have received 4 books in the post, despite my girlfriend refusing their offer and hanging up on them. With these 4 books we got an invoice, for £8.97, and a letter stating that if we want to cancel our 'order' then we need to return 2 of the books (at our own cost) and telephone them on their premium rate 10p / minute number.
I'm about to email them and cancel the order but this has really irked me. The way the letter is written makes out that we have been drawn into some kind of contract with this company, but we have had no contact with them other than the unwanted phonecall.
It just seems like bare-faced cheek, giving me this ultimatum to return the two books 'within 10 days' or they will send more and invoice me accordingly.
Who are these parasites?
My girlfriend is expecting our baby any day now and a couple of weeks ago she had a 'cold call' from some company going by the name of Disney Wonderful World of Reading or Hachette Partworks LTD. They had her details, address and phonenumber.
We have received 4 books in the post, despite my girlfriend refusing their offer and hanging up on them. With these 4 books we got an invoice, for £8.97, and a letter stating that if we want to cancel our 'order' then we need to return 2 of the books (at our own cost) and telephone them on their premium rate 10p / minute number.
I'm about to email them and cancel the order but this has really irked me. The way the letter is written makes out that we have been drawn into some kind of contract with this company, but we have had no contact with them other than the unwanted phonecall.
It just seems like bare-faced cheek, giving me this ultimatum to return the two books 'within 10 days' or they will send more and invoice me accordingly.
Who are these parasites?
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/consumer-issues/buy...
BIS said:
Under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971, (as amended) it is an offence to demand payment for goods known to be unsolicited, in other words, they were sent to a person without any prior request made by them or on their behalf.
Someone who receives goods in these circumstances may retain them as an unconditional gift, and does not have to pay for or return any unwanted goods. Anyone who receives a demand for payment for unsolicited goods should report the matter to their local Trading Standards Department
Someone who receives goods in these circumstances may retain them as an unconditional gift, and does not have to pay for or return any unwanted goods. Anyone who receives a demand for payment for unsolicited goods should report the matter to their local Trading Standards Department
The Company is HACHETTE PARTWORKS LTD
Company number: 03642341
Established 1998
Previous name: IBIS (451) LIMITED
Reg address: JORDAN HOUSE 47 BRUNSWICK PLACE - LONDON, N1 6EB
Director: Isabelle Magnac
House Number : 2
Street Name : TER GRANDE AVENUE
District : DE LA VILLA DE LA REUNION
Town : 75016 PARIS
Country : FRANCE
Director: Mrs Wastiaux Marie Clare
House Number : 43
Street Name : QUAI DE GRENELLE
District : PARIS
Town : 75015 JUE DE
Country : FRANCE
They have had 2 CCJs in 2008
Surprisingly good credit rating!
Very srongly suggest a complaint to your loacal trading standards, then do nothing - just collect and letters etc from them, and hang up on any calls.
All above publicly accessible knowledge.
Company number: 03642341
Established 1998
Previous name: IBIS (451) LIMITED
Reg address: JORDAN HOUSE 47 BRUNSWICK PLACE - LONDON, N1 6EB
Director: Isabelle Magnac
House Number : 2
Street Name : TER GRANDE AVENUE
District : DE LA VILLA DE LA REUNION
Town : 75016 PARIS
Country : FRANCE
Director: Mrs Wastiaux Marie Clare
House Number : 43
Street Name : QUAI DE GRENELLE
District : PARIS
Town : 75015 JUE DE
Country : FRANCE
They have had 2 CCJs in 2008
Surprisingly good credit rating!
Very srongly suggest a complaint to your loacal trading standards, then do nothing - just collect and letters etc from them, and hang up on any calls.
All above publicly accessible knowledge.
I had this a few years back with unsolicited CDs.
Just ignore, hang on to absolutely everything - and log any calls relating to the matter.
They will give up eventually, as they have no choice.
The books are now yours, and you have nothing to pay or fear.
Good luck with the little one when he/she arrives - suggest you get some sleep now whie you still can!
Don't waste any time on trading standards - they already have a file on these people usually.
Just ignore, hang on to absolutely everything - and log any calls relating to the matter.
They will give up eventually, as they have no choice.
The books are now yours, and you have nothing to pay or fear.
Good luck with the little one when he/she arrives - suggest you get some sleep now whie you still can!
Don't waste any time on trading standards - they already have a file on these people usually.
3Dee said:
The Company is HACHETTE PARTWORKS LTD
Company number: 03642341
Established 1998
Previous name: IBIS (451) LIMITED
Reg address: JORDAN HOUSE 47 BRUNSWICK PLACE - LONDON, N1 6EB
Director: Isabelle Magnac
House Number : 2
Street Name : TER GRANDE AVENUE
District : DE LA VILLA DE LA REUNION
Town : 75016 PARIS
Country : FRANCE
Director: Mrs Wastiaux Marie Clare
House Number : 43
Street Name : QUAI DE GRENELLE
District : PARIS
Town : 75015 JUE DE
Country : FRANCE
They have had 2 CCJs in 2008
Surprisingly good credit rating!
Very srongly suggest a complaint to your local trading standards, then do nothing - just collect and letters etc from them, and hang up on any calls.
All above publicly accessible knowledge.
....and this scam is obviously working for them, because they have a 'starter-for-10' suggested credit limit for 490,000 euros!!! Company number: 03642341
Established 1998
Previous name: IBIS (451) LIMITED
Reg address: JORDAN HOUSE 47 BRUNSWICK PLACE - LONDON, N1 6EB
Director: Isabelle Magnac
House Number : 2
Street Name : TER GRANDE AVENUE
District : DE LA VILLA DE LA REUNION
Town : 75016 PARIS
Country : FRANCE
Director: Mrs Wastiaux Marie Clare
House Number : 43
Street Name : QUAI DE GRENELLE
District : PARIS
Town : 75015 JUE DE
Country : FRANCE
They have had 2 CCJs in 2008
Surprisingly good credit rating!
Very srongly suggest a complaint to your local trading standards, then do nothing - just collect and letters etc from them, and hang up on any calls.
All above publicly accessible knowledge.
Obviously scams pay!
ralphrj said:
http://www.bis.gov.uk/policies/consumer-issues/buy...
I'm hoping someone sends me something useful, like a car BIS said:
Under the Unsolicited Goods and Services Act 1971, (as amended) it is an offence to demand payment for goods known to be unsolicited, in other words, they were sent to a person without any prior request made by them or on their behalf.
Someone who receives goods in these circumstances may retain them as an unconditional gift, and does not have to pay for or return any unwanted goods. Anyone who receives a demand for payment for unsolicited goods should report the matter to their local Trading Standards Department
Someone who receives goods in these circumstances may retain them as an unconditional gift, and does not have to pay for or return any unwanted goods. Anyone who receives a demand for payment for unsolicited goods should report the matter to their local Trading Standards Department
simoid said:
I'm thinking there could be a link between the "expecting a baby" (perhaps signed up to some websites, for books somewhere along the line) and the fact that it's Disney books have been sent, i.e. scammers could've bought the details of a lot of expectant mothers from somewhere.
They do. We had the same a decade ago, albeit from a different company. The OP's missus will get some subsequent phonecalls, subsequent letters demanding payment then debt collector letters, and eventually they will go away. But not before the 'Look, we'll do you a deal, send us £10 (or whatever) and we'll call off the dogs".Treat the books for what they are - free books that some a
hole has sent you unsolicited.simoid said:
I'm thinking there could be a link between the "expecting a baby" (perhaps signed up to some websites, for books somewhere along the line) and the fact that it's Disney books have been sent, i.e. scammers could've bought the details of a lot of expectant mothers from somewhere.
Bingo.Also watch for the 'Bounty' bag they hand you out within hours of your OH giving birth.
They show you all nice free samples of useful stuff you need to go home with, and all you need to do is give them your address.
You'll get letters from photographers, hand printers and a plethora of stuff for years.
Red Devil said:
It is not unknown for a person who has 'issues' with somebody to sign them up for unsolicited goods/subscriptions etc. Could the OP's g/f have fallen out with a friend/somebody at work/one of the neighbours?
OP said:
My girlfriend is expecting our baby any day now and a couple of weeks ago she had a 'cold call' from some company going by the name of Disney Wonderful World of Reading or Hachette Partworks LTD. They had her details, address and phonenumber.
That's where I believe it will have come from - one of these 'baby clubs' who send you newsletters, advice and samples for free. This oversteps the mark though, in my opinion. Trouble is I don't know exactly how the conversation with my girlfriend went (as I wasn't there) so I don't know whether she agreed to having the 'free' books or not. I might just return these two and follow their cancellation proceedure just to avoid any future hassle!
C.A.R. said:
That's where I believe it will have come from - one of these 'baby clubs' who send you newsletters, advice and samples for free. This oversteps the mark though, in my opinion. Trouble is I don't know exactly how the conversation with my girlfriend went (as I wasn't there) so I don't know whether she agreed to having the 'free' books or not. I might just return these two and follow their cancellation proceedure just to avoid any future hassle!
This will NOT end well...make sure of what your GF said and base your actions on that...if she actually declined their offer do as previously suggested and treat as unsolicited goods...DO NOT ENTER INTO ANY CORRESPONDENCE WITH THESE FOLKS.There are lists that are sold etc. I do photography as a hobby, and I keep getting sales type calls wanting me to buy into a subscription for monthly lists of new parents and expectant parents.
As for the 'gifts'. While it can be argued that they are gifts, what would be the position if the OP to do nothing except wait for them to ring, and when they do ring say they are here for you to collect if you want them. If they proceed far enough for court, what would happen if they took the books to court and handed them to whoever turns up? AT the end of the day if you didn't ask for them, and you don't want them why should you have to pay anything in respect of rejecting them, including phone calls to 10p a minute number?
Good luck with the baby OP.
As for the 'gifts'. While it can be argued that they are gifts, what would be the position if the OP to do nothing except wait for them to ring, and when they do ring say they are here for you to collect if you want them. If they proceed far enough for court, what would happen if they took the books to court and handed them to whoever turns up? AT the end of the day if you didn't ask for them, and you don't want them why should you have to pay anything in respect of rejecting them, including phone calls to 10p a minute number?
Good luck with the baby OP.
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