Be wary of this company (Choice)

Member Name: zanny

Product:	Choice
Date:	07/09/03 (31 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: None

Disadvantages: Everything!, Rude staff

I ordered a suit from Choice in January 2001. It did not fit well and I went to return it via the company's courier service. I could never get through to the courier and left numerous messages to no avail. I called customer services and was told that it was up to me to get through to the courier and that they never return phone calls. I was sent an address label and sent the suit back through the post office and got a certificate of posting. At this time, it was advised on the company's website that you can return items via the post office, but to get a certificate of posting.

Shortly afterwards, I received a statement that I still owed for the suit and called the company. I was told the suit was never received and to send in a copy of the certificate of posting, which I did. I heard nothing more from the company. A bit over a year later, my husband and I received a copy of our credit reports from Equifax and Experian. I was shocked to see that Choice had reported to Experian that I defaulted on my account! However, this was not reported to Equifax at that time.

I wrote a strongly worded letter to Choice and sent in another copy of the certificate of posting, which was sent by special delivery. Shortly afterwards, a collection agency contacted me and demanded the money for the suit! I was told by the collection agency that Choice never told them about the certificate of posting or the letter I wrote and suspended my account until they got an answer from Choice. A few months later, I got a letter from a solicitor demanding payment on the behalf of Choice and then a threatening letter from the collection agency that they were taking me into Hull County Court. I told them to take me into court and sent another copy to the collection agency of the letter I sent to Choice and the certificate of posting, again using special delivery. I also said that I will then sue for expenses and anything else I could get. Shortly after, the collection agenc
y sent me a letter that they have withdrawn my account and have sent it back to Choice.

Recently, I ordered another copy of my credit report and have found that Choice reported to Equifax that I defaulted on my account one month after I wrote a letter to them and sent in another certificate of posting! I had good credit until Choice decided to do this. I was able to get a personal loan and mortgage before this, but have now been turned down for a credit card with my bank due to the information Choice has given. I have written to the credit reporting agencies and included all of my evidence, which is substantial, and asked for the entry to be removed. I have now filed a complaint with the Mail Order Trader's Association.

A company that operates like this is extremely unprofessional. I will never use Choice again and have warned all of my friends about this company. They act like rogue traders and have done serious damage to my credit rating.

Summary: