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I thought it might be helpful to others to do a little 'Captain's Log' of my new VT with Specialist Motor Finance.
BACKGROUND: I wasn't looking to purchase a new car but on doing a Clearscore search, was offered a really good APR compared to my current deal, so decided to pursue at a similar level to to my current deal. Having VT'd before, I have a little experience so feel confident in doing so. I prepared my letter using the Legal Beagles template and emailed a copy to their Customer Services. I immediately got a reply back to say that they could not deal with my account via email - and to call them. I didn't - and simply sent my letter via 1st Class Recorded Delivery. It arrived today.
Today I got a call from Glyn. Now I totally appreciate that he is simply doing his job and following company procedure but it became very clear that SMF would only accept my VT on receipt of some signed forms. At that point, they'd send out a VT Confirmation Letter (sound like 'acceptance' letter to me). I reminded Glyn that as I had complied with everything under Section 99, my VT was on record and I was under no obligation to sign any form or even send it back. I asked him what would happen at this point. He advised that if I didnt sign and send the letter back it would go to a manager or collections. I then asked Glyn if he understood that I didnt need SFMs approval of my VT as it complied with CCA 74. He would not answer, so I asked again. This went on for a while. He then advised that to collect the car would cost £200 - to which I advised Glyn that SFM were not allowed to charge a collection fee in my opinion - and I would drop it off locally - if he'd just tell me where. Anyway this went on for a bit until he got a bit 'shirty' so I asked to speak to complaints. James in their complaints dept was just as inept, and again kept saying that the way the VT was dealt with was 'company policy' and it was also in my HP T&Cs which I had signed up to. At this point, I asked him if he believed that SFMs HP T&Cs took precedence over CCA 74 - he wouldn't answer.
Anyway, I am now waiting for the forms, so we will see what that brings. I have also asked for a copy of the call.
The car is 9 years old. In reasonable condition - recently valeted. I will be taking lots of pics!! My mate owns a garage, so it is going to sit there until we can hand the car over.
Oh, and I am about to cancel my DD...and email them to update my GDPR to email and post only.
I'll update this post once I get to the next stage.
BACKGROUND: I wasn't looking to purchase a new car but on doing a Clearscore search, was offered a really good APR compared to my current deal, so decided to pursue at a similar level to to my current deal. Having VT'd before, I have a little experience so feel confident in doing so. I prepared my letter using the Legal Beagles template and emailed a copy to their Customer Services. I immediately got a reply back to say that they could not deal with my account via email - and to call them. I didn't - and simply sent my letter via 1st Class Recorded Delivery. It arrived today.
Today I got a call from Glyn. Now I totally appreciate that he is simply doing his job and following company procedure but it became very clear that SMF would only accept my VT on receipt of some signed forms. At that point, they'd send out a VT Confirmation Letter (sound like 'acceptance' letter to me). I reminded Glyn that as I had complied with everything under Section 99, my VT was on record and I was under no obligation to sign any form or even send it back. I asked him what would happen at this point. He advised that if I didnt sign and send the letter back it would go to a manager or collections. I then asked Glyn if he understood that I didnt need SFMs approval of my VT as it complied with CCA 74. He would not answer, so I asked again. This went on for a while. He then advised that to collect the car would cost £200 - to which I advised Glyn that SFM were not allowed to charge a collection fee in my opinion - and I would drop it off locally - if he'd just tell me where. Anyway this went on for a bit until he got a bit 'shirty' so I asked to speak to complaints. James in their complaints dept was just as inept, and again kept saying that the way the VT was dealt with was 'company policy' and it was also in my HP T&Cs which I had signed up to. At this point, I asked him if he believed that SFMs HP T&Cs took precedence over CCA 74 - he wouldn't answer.
Anyway, I am now waiting for the forms, so we will see what that brings. I have also asked for a copy of the call.
The car is 9 years old. In reasonable condition - recently valeted. I will be taking lots of pics!! My mate owns a garage, so it is going to sit there until we can hand the car over.
Oh, and I am about to cancel my DD...and email them to update my GDPR to email and post only.
I'll update this post once I get to the next stage.
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