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I do hope that someone can offer advice on which seems like a trivial matter, even to me and I don't understand how it has got out of hand.
I used a dog day care service since January 2013 at a cost of £12 daily and paid in cash on a weekly basis. I asked for receipts when I first started using the service as I wasn't sure if I needed them for my expenses. I was told that I did not need them and they would not be provided.
I used the service up until last Saturday 11th. My dog had gone in to board on Friday and I informed the owner that I would collect him after 12 on Saturday. On Saturday I informed her that I was on way to collect the dog. Received text message back saying as after 12 a full days charge was applicable. When I picked the dog up I asked if I was really being charged a full day as it was a genuine mistake on my part and I didn't realise that I needed to collect before 12. I was informed that the information was available on website an on a form that I signed a year ago (I was not given a copy).
I chose to terminate our business arrangement as I felt that I was not being treated as a valued regular customer who had made a mistake. I had no problem with paying the money owed. I received a text stating that i should post the £12 day extra charge through the letterbox at my earliest convenience. I offered to post a cheque but was told that they were not accepted.
I planned to drop the money on Friday 17 as I was off work.
I will try to keep it simple:
Wednesday 16 - text stating £12 due immediately, no cheques.
Thursday 17 - Text stating payment due immediately, further fees will be added and debt passed to third party for collection.
Also received invoice for £48 which asked for original £12 and then a further £5 late fee and £3 admin fee. Also contained in invoice was a £28 charge for day care for week ending 17 Nov 13. Letter threatened to send debt to a collection agency.
Saturday 18 - I asked for bank account details to pay the £12 directly into bank account. I offered to send a postal order for £12. Was refused. Suggested that she accept payment of £12 and send me breakdown of how other figure was reached. Refused again. Text stating that a refusal to pay will see her starting proceedings. A voicemail message on my phone which I accidentally deleted threatened that she will take me to small claims court.
Received 3 texts demanding the £48.
Received hand delivered breakdown.
Breakdown states that the £28 charge for day care is for 31 Sept 13 and 01 Oct 13 and a £4 charge for paying £4 short one week in November.
Letter attached states that no postal order, cheque or direct payment will be accepted as I clearly do not intend to pay.
Prior to the breakdown being delivered I had posted a £12 postal order to her with proof of postage stating that it is full and final payment for services received.
I do not owe any money other than the £12 which I have now sent. I paid every week in cash and in full, often paying up front for the following week. I never received any receipts or invoices.
I have pointed out that I cannot understand why, having pursued £12 so vigorously within days, I would not have been informed of outstanding debts at the time if they were indeed real.
I would just like to know where I stand on this. I am feeling a bit harassed and do not like the thought of this person coming to my house regularly demanding money from me as I live alone.
I appreciate any responses I get and thanks for your time in reading it all
I used a dog day care service since January 2013 at a cost of £12 daily and paid in cash on a weekly basis. I asked for receipts when I first started using the service as I wasn't sure if I needed them for my expenses. I was told that I did not need them and they would not be provided.
I used the service up until last Saturday 11th. My dog had gone in to board on Friday and I informed the owner that I would collect him after 12 on Saturday. On Saturday I informed her that I was on way to collect the dog. Received text message back saying as after 12 a full days charge was applicable. When I picked the dog up I asked if I was really being charged a full day as it was a genuine mistake on my part and I didn't realise that I needed to collect before 12. I was informed that the information was available on website an on a form that I signed a year ago (I was not given a copy).
I chose to terminate our business arrangement as I felt that I was not being treated as a valued regular customer who had made a mistake. I had no problem with paying the money owed. I received a text stating that i should post the £12 day extra charge through the letterbox at my earliest convenience. I offered to post a cheque but was told that they were not accepted.
I planned to drop the money on Friday 17 as I was off work.
I will try to keep it simple:
Wednesday 16 - text stating £12 due immediately, no cheques.
Thursday 17 - Text stating payment due immediately, further fees will be added and debt passed to third party for collection.
Also received invoice for £48 which asked for original £12 and then a further £5 late fee and £3 admin fee. Also contained in invoice was a £28 charge for day care for week ending 17 Nov 13. Letter threatened to send debt to a collection agency.
Saturday 18 - I asked for bank account details to pay the £12 directly into bank account. I offered to send a postal order for £12. Was refused. Suggested that she accept payment of £12 and send me breakdown of how other figure was reached. Refused again. Text stating that a refusal to pay will see her starting proceedings. A voicemail message on my phone which I accidentally deleted threatened that she will take me to small claims court.
Received 3 texts demanding the £48.
Received hand delivered breakdown.
Breakdown states that the £28 charge for day care is for 31 Sept 13 and 01 Oct 13 and a £4 charge for paying £4 short one week in November.
Letter attached states that no postal order, cheque or direct payment will be accepted as I clearly do not intend to pay.
Prior to the breakdown being delivered I had posted a £12 postal order to her with proof of postage stating that it is full and final payment for services received.
I do not owe any money other than the £12 which I have now sent. I paid every week in cash and in full, often paying up front for the following week. I never received any receipts or invoices.
I have pointed out that I cannot understand why, having pursued £12 so vigorously within days, I would not have been informed of outstanding debts at the time if they were indeed real.
I would just like to know where I stand on this. I am feeling a bit harassed and do not like the thought of this person coming to my house regularly demanding money from me as I live alone.
I appreciate any responses I get and thanks for your time in reading it all
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