RLP

[kitty23]

I've read a lot of forums about RLP, how they just want to take your money and they're not liable to make you pay. In relation to my situation, I am 17 and I've been caught shoplifting at boots (I'm not proud of this and should have known better) this is my first time and they were very harsh to me (I'm assuming) they took my name, address and birth of date down and said that I will be fined £116 but £36 more will be added on because the goods (costing £16) were damaged (the bar code was taken off). on top of this, I'm banned for life to never go in boots, they told me to sign a paper of which I should have taken a copy of. But, they gave me a sheet of which is for the RLP saying what happens next with being fined etc. I don't know whether to pay or not because I have taken the bar codes off the goods. Most still say that I shouldn't pay and just ignore the letters as they're just interrogating letters. Overall, I'm just scared of what if they tell my parents and I can't get a job.

[Kati]

Re: RLP

Hi [MENTION=71285]kitty23[/MENTION] ... to LB

As you will have seen by reading other RLP threads, the general consensus is to ignore all letters (bar an actual court claim). They are not fining you ... it's a speculative invoice. Most of the costs they 'charge' for (staff time etc...) are already paid through wages.

I'm sure you will get lots of advice from the knowledgeable Beagles ... in the meantime, please try not to worry :nod:

K x

[des8]

Re: RLP

Hi Kitty,
you're the lucky one........... not allowed into any Boots store ever gain!!
In fact how will they ever realistically enforce that ban.

Regarding their recovery, all that Boots are legally entitled to is the reduction in value of the damaged item, and that is at the cost to them, not the retail value!
The "mark up" on items like cosmetics is enormous, so on an item retailing at £16, the removal of a barcode is going to cost Boots pennies.

So the advice is to continue to ignore RLP UNLESS you should ever receive court papers.
The last time they tried going to court they lost heavily as they have no grounds for such a proceeding.
If you need reassurance about this matter do not hesitate to come back here.

It won't affect your job prospects.
RLP can't go around telling people about this incident, or inserting your name on some list or website.
They cannot involve your parents either, but they will be sending a series of ever increasingly threatening letters.
You may find it less stressful to "confess" to your parents now, than to try and keep this secret from them for the next few months.
You may well be surprised at their reaction.
If necessary you could show them this and other threads on this and other forums to reassure them.

[kitty23]

Re: RLP

Thank you, I'm also so unsure how they could recognized me in 5 years time when they told me that I was banned there for life.
Also, because RLP can't go around about this incident, will this be in my crb?

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Thank you, how long will they be sending letters? I can't come at ease knowing that they'll be sending multiple letters.

[Kati]

Re: RLP

Were the police called? Were you charged or cautioned? If the answer's no, then it will not be on any record xx

[des8]

Re: RLP

Thank you, I'm also so unsure how they could recognized me in 5 years time when they told me that I was banned there for life.
Also, because RLP can't go around about this incident, will this be in my crb?

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Thank you, how long will they be sending letters? I can't come at ease knowing that they'll be sending multiple letters.

As Kati said this will not appear on a CRB (now called DBS) check.

How long will it go on for?
Difficult to say. Some only seem to receive two or thee letters before RLP give up, whereas others get letters for upto 9 months.
Sometimes they even pass it to debt collectors who might write in big scary red letters.They also have no power and should be ignored.
If you write to these people, it seems only to encourage them and they think you are weakening and harass you even more.

[kitty23]

Re: RLP

The police were not called as well as, all they said was that I was being fined and they gave me a sheet in relation to the RLP. Thank you so much

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Thank you so much x

[ostell]

Re: RLP

RLP are being cheeky, and economical with the truth. The only people that can fine you are the courts, and it won't be going in that direction .

[kitty23]

Re: RLP

I've just recieved the RLP letter, it states that I have to pay £183.95 including with the goods that have been damaged. It also only says that if i dont make the payment they will only continue to keep sending me letters regarding the payment, as well as they will also be seeking "client's instruction on what action they wish to take which will depend on the individuals circumstances of the case". Moreover, it also tells me that if i think I am not liable i should write within 14 days. Moreover, because i am in the age of 17 my personal information is shared with the DPA.

I'm still afraid to ignore the letter that would be sent if I do ignore the letters however, because i have been advised to ignore the letters I will be doing so. Either way, are all letters from the RLP the same as mine or similar to mine ?

[ostell]

Re: RLP

They're all along the same lines. Keep them though. The next letter will probably be a reduced sum to settle the matter.

Only be concerned when you get a letter before claim, or similar, and then come back here for advice.

[des8]

Re: RLP

Agree completely with Ostell's advice you continue to ignore RLP

Is this more or less the letter you received:

[kitty23]

Re: RLP

its quite similar to that letter but it had another page saying if i am unable what should I do etc.
I will continue to ignore the letters sent by them, thank you!

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Will the letter before the claim be more to do with the company? such as the company is contacted or somewhat ?

[des8]

Re: RLP

Funny, but I haven't been able to find a copy of a genuine "letter before Claim" issued by RLP!
A letter before claim should be so headed and contain certain specific details before warning that court proceedings WILL be commenced sometime after 14 days if there is no response.
RLP threaten they MAY , or will CONSIDER starting, or recommend their client SHOULD commence legal proceedings.
All scary, but really just threats.
Never a proper LBC:doggieyes:

[kitty23]

Re: RLP

I have just received another letter from the RLP and theyre stating that if I were not to respond within the next 21 days they would contact my parents/guardian "on my behalf". Should a be weary about this? You've all told me that they cant contact my parents/guardians so, why are they stating this?

[des8]

Re: RLP

Sounds like they are ramping up the pressure to frighten you further.
If they seriously thought you were liable to pay their outrageous demands they would be issuing court papers, not blackmailing you.
However there are occasional reports of parents being contacted, notwithstanding it is a breach of DPA and article 8 of the HRA (right to privacy)

I see your options as
1) ignore
2) tell your parents and then ignore
3) contact Citizens Advice and get them to write to RLP on your behalf warning them off.