Hi, I have an issue with Train4jobs/Metropolitan International Schools LTD and would like some advice on how to go about cancelling the course and getting a refund.
I visited Train4jobs’ website and filled in my details (including my home address) to request more information about the distance learning course. A salesman then came to visit me at home and came with a sales brochure. The salesman then said he needed to return another day with a Maths test to make sure I was eligible for the course. At no point did the salesman mention a loan/fee agreement during the first visit. He then returned very late into the evening (at around 8.30pm) for the second visit and answered some of the maths questions for me as I was taking too long to answer them (thus rendering me ineligible for their own entry requirements). He then requested a £50 deposit to secure a place on the course. The salesman repeatedly stated that he needed to be out of our house by 9pm (which he was not) and repeatedly emphasised the superiority of this course over any other, and thus seriously pressured me into signing documents quickly without reading the information. I believed I was signing up to pay course fees directly to Train4jobs, was not told I was entering into a loan with another company and unfortunately did not read the paperwork properly until I had an issue with Train4jobs, which was after the 14 day cancellation period had expired.
I have contacted the FCA and have found that Train4Jobs / MIC had 'no right to canvass off trade premises' at the time when I signed the loan agreement with them (Sept 2016).
Definition of canvassing off trade premises (regulated agreements).
What does this actually mean? I would like advice if that would render the loan invalid? So really my questions would be as follows:
I would be so grateful for some help with this legal stuff!
I visited Train4jobs’ website and filled in my details (including my home address) to request more information about the distance learning course. A salesman then came to visit me at home and came with a sales brochure. The salesman then said he needed to return another day with a Maths test to make sure I was eligible for the course. At no point did the salesman mention a loan/fee agreement during the first visit. He then returned very late into the evening (at around 8.30pm) for the second visit and answered some of the maths questions for me as I was taking too long to answer them (thus rendering me ineligible for their own entry requirements). He then requested a £50 deposit to secure a place on the course. The salesman repeatedly stated that he needed to be out of our house by 9pm (which he was not) and repeatedly emphasised the superiority of this course over any other, and thus seriously pressured me into signing documents quickly without reading the information. I believed I was signing up to pay course fees directly to Train4jobs, was not told I was entering into a loan with another company and unfortunately did not read the paperwork properly until I had an issue with Train4jobs, which was after the 14 day cancellation period had expired.
I have contacted the FCA and have found that Train4Jobs / MIC had 'no right to canvass off trade premises' at the time when I signed the loan agreement with them (Sept 2016).
Definition of canvassing off trade premises (regulated agreements).
(1)
An individual (the “canvasser ”) canvasses a regulated agreement off trade premises if he solicits the entry (as debtor or hirer) of another individual (the “consumer ”) into the agreement by making oral representations to the consumer, or any other individual, during a visit by the canvasser to any place (not excluded by subsection (2)) where the consumer, or that other individual, as the case may be, is, being a visit—(a)
carried out for the purpose of making such oral representations to individuals who are at that place, but(b)
not carried out in response to a request made on a previous occasion.What does this actually mean? I would like advice if that would render the loan invalid? So really my questions would be as follows:
- did T4J need written permission to come to my house and sell the loan?
- would filling in my details to request more information constitute as giving written permission to come to my house?
- does the fact that the salesman visited my house twice mean that T4J could argue that I requested that they come back (despite no mention of a loan)?
I would be so grateful for some help with this legal stuff!
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