Green Deal warning too late for me!
QI HAVE just read the Which? question letter in my evening paper about call centres phoning people about a Green Deal, which they say is a Government-backed scheme to save money on new windows and other energy saving things. You said this was a load of rubbish as the Green Deal stopped a few years ago (except for those already on it).
Unfortunately, I only read that after one of those calls. I believed what they said and someone came that evening to look at my windows – not great but not falling out of the walls yet.
After nearly three hours, I agreed to pay £5,500 for windows plus £100 deposit.
About 20 minutes later, my bank phoned to say someone had tried to take £5,500 from my account. Carol C
AIF YOU enter into a contract away from the trader’s premises such as in your home, you have a minimum 14 days cooling-off period, within which time you can cancel. The one exception is where the salesperson makes a second visit and you’ve already discussed the contract at your home before later signing it.
You don’t name the company you dealt with but you must have some paperwork. You say you tried to cancel but your request was ignored. It sounds like your bank was giving you a chance to change your mind but if you did not, then you should go to Citizens Advice, a law centre or a solicitor as the double glazing company would appear to be in contravention of the law in not cancelling the contract on your request.
You are unlikely to see your £100 deposit again – especially if you paid cash – whatever the law says. The salesperson commission on £5,500 could be around £1,600 – the £100 is a “consolation prize”.
In general, never sign anything before getting at least three quotes for the work.