Solar Panels

[Caran]

In August I ordered Solar panels from a company called Awe Energy. I cancelled the order four days later and asked for a refund. To date I have not received it. I have phoned seven times so far, been fobbed off each time. Someone promises to call me back but never does. I have contacted CAB and they will call me next week. What would you do?

[lcg]

find out where their offices are and pay them a visit in person.....and create merry hell! works every time x

[Dizmo]

Write to them first before you go steaming in there like a bull in a china shop. Ensure you take a copy and send the original first class signed for.

[Caran]

They are based in Sheffield and I am in Gloucestershire so a bit far to go. In any case there is never anyone there except the poor devil who answers the phone. Everyone is either on holiday, training or out in the field selling.

[Dizmo]

Caran give me £5 for my bus fare, £20 fees and I'll go down and break their kneecaps.

We all know I live in sheffield and I'm not afraid to admit it!

[Dizmo]

Middlewood Road, jesus. You've lost your money. Make that £50 fees.

How did you pay? Please tell me via credit card.

[Caran]

I have written to them twice and have had three letters from them. The last one one 16/9 promised a cheque in 7/8 days.

[Prudie]

^ that's not a bad idea. A bit of googling shows it runs from a private house, has no reviews and their website looks like schoolboy's attempt. How did you find it cara when you're so far away?

[Dizmo]

You know I would actually be willing to go to their office on your behalf. I actually think I need to do something like this to get my edge back.

I'm not just joking either. If you want you can use me as leverage. Tell them you have a 'relative' that lives in sheffield (specify Dinnington if tha' wants) and if they don't send the cheque, 1st class same day then after 3 working days you will send them (me) around to pick it up personally and they are not happy.. Might be the edge you need to get them to cough up.

[Caran]

There was a full page ad in the daily express, looked quite an impressive ad.
I paid a deposit of £834 by a Visa Debit card.

[Caran]

Thanks for the offer Dizmo, I will bear that in mind.

[Dizmo]

Caran. I'd do it too and there is no danger for you as I could send the cheque to friends address if you didn't trust me. Technically you'd have nowt to lose. Obviously I'd have to conflab with you over email and at least get your name lol.

I can just see me walking into the office (house as it is) and saying; "right then chump, tha ows caran some dosh na pay up or a'l shut thi up"

No but really I am up for it. I would obviously be professional though.

[Buenchico]

How did you place the order? By phone? Online? By calling into their office? As the result of a doorstep cold call? By inviting their rep into your home with an appointment?

Not all of those situations have a 'cooling off' period. (For example there's no such period if you called into their office or invited a rep, by appointment, into your home). You might be stuck with the contract and (unless they fulfil their side of it within a reasonable time) be unable to get out of it.

However I must admit that I'd be worried about doing business with any firm whose 'terms and conditions' page looks like this!
http://www.aweenergy.com/tandc.php

Even so, my own next course of action would be to send a written demand for repayment of my money, together with a threat of legal action, following the procedure I've explained here:
http://www.theanswerbank.co.uk/Law/Civil/Question1273520.html

Your letter should be addressed to:
The Company Secretary,
Awe Energy Ltd,
20 Paradise Square,
Sheffield,
S1 1UA

That's the registered address for the company but I'd also send another copy to:
The Company Secretary,
Awe Energy Ltd,
212 Middlewood Road,
Sheffield,
S6 1TE

[hc4361]

Great terms and conditions on that website. :|

Read this about Visa Debit Chargeback and act quickly - there is a 120 day time limit.
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/visa-mastercard-chargeback

Report to Sheffield Trading Standards as well.

[hc4361]

Dizmo, you may be well intentioned but you are not being helpful.

[Dizmo]

I thought my website design was terrible but who ever built that had some serious issues.

[Dizmo]

hc4361: you're right. It doesn't help the fact that after looking at the photo of the two people on the website and realising that I know 1 of them and the other lives not very far away I'm kind of more anxious now. My apologies if I've been out of order. Sorry.

[Caran]

I did invite the company into my home. When they sent me confirmation of the order they also sent a cancellation form. I cancelled within the right period. I have had a letter confirming my cancellation and promising a cheque in 7/8 days on 16/9. Non forthcoming as yet.
I will look into claiming cash back from the bank, thanks for that info Chris.