Brighthouse Fact Sheet

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Revision as of 18:36, 11 April 2008 by Lefty (talk | contribs) (Brighthouse Stores (formerly Crazy Georges) Fact Sheet)

Brighthouse Stores (formerly Crazy Georges) Fact Sheet

Introduction

This fact sheet has been produced to help anyone who may be having problems with the high street retailer BrightHouse. It is the result of many months of research (including the writers becoming customers of BrightHouse themselves) and experiencing, first hand, an inherent culture of social-discrimination, arrogance, lies, obstruction, rudeness, and even aggression towards customers.

By unravelling a complex system of financial exploitation (aimed at some of the least well-off in society), this fact sheet also makes essential reading for anyone who is – or anyone planning to become – a customer of BrightHouse.

BrightHouse were asked to review this fact sheet, and comment on its findings. The company did so, and has made the following statement:


“Thank you for giving us the opportunity to comment upon your consumer advice document.

You may be unaware that just over two years ago, a new Chief Executive, board and top management team was installed at BrightHouse. Since then the team has implemented a number of changes throughout the business. These are designed to:

Provide an open, transparent and competitive product and service offering to our customers

Strive to make BrightHouse an employer of choice, recruiting from within the communities we serve.

Act as a responsible corporate citizen, and "put something back" into the community.

Our store managers and colleagues throughout our business are strongly supportive of these programs, and strive to operate to their spirit and intent.

Accordingly, there are a number of substantial inaccuracies and incorrect assumptions contained in your consumer advice sheet. For example, your sheet comments upon the BrightHouse price for an HP Pavilion Laptop compared against the high street norm. We have been unable to test the price comparison because the model number given is not specific enough and it is no longer a current line.

However, BrightHouse is proactive is sustaining market competitive cash prices for our products. Moreover we are sure you will appreciate that in drawing product price comparisons, in addition to the cash price for the products, one should seek to take into account for all the companies in the comparison, factors such as:

The cost of a credit or HP agreement

Extended warranty or similar
Delivery and installation charges

We hope that this has clarified the position and will be reflected in any subsequent consumer advice relating to BrightHouse that you subsequently publish in the public domain.”


Although the statement (above) mentions “a number of substantial inaccuracies, and incorrect assumptions”, other than the price match example (which has now been updated to reflect a current model) no other specific examples were given.

However, BrightHouse did supply an appendix containing more detailed information on their policies and operating practises. These points are reflected throughout the following chapters, particularly when BrightHouse company policy appears to contradict our findings.

1 – HIRE PURCHASE AGREEMENTS

When you enter into an agreement with BrightHouse, you are entering into a HIRE PURCHASE or CONDITIONAL SALE agreement. Hire purchase agreements are governed by THE CONSUMER CREDIT ACT 1974 and goods being purchased are subject to the SUPPLY OF GOODS (IMPLIED TERMS) ACT 1973 (see below). You will be expected to make weekly (or monthly) payments IN ADVANCE for the duration of the agreement – which can range from 52 weeks to 156 weeks depending upon the product. Ownership of the goods remains with BrightHouse until the last payment is made. You DO NOT own the goods until then. You cannot sell them or dispose of them in any way.

However, this does NOT mean that BrightHouse can just stroll into your home and remove their goods if you get into payment difficulties. Unless you have actually consented to their removal, BrightHouse cannot legally remove (re-possess) them until they have:

a) Issued you with a default notice (in writing)
b) Given you an opportunity to put matters right (at least 7 days)
c) Applied for (and been granted) a court order

These issues will be explained in more detail in a moment, but it is important to remember that: AT NO TIME CAN ANY EMPLOYEE (OR AGENT) OF BRIGHTHOUSE FORCIBLY ENTER YOUR HOME

If you do get into payment difficulties, the first thing you should do is try and address the problem yourself. You should do everything you can to bring your account up to date. If you simply cannot afford the regular repayments, you should decide whether you actually need the item(s) you are paying for, and seriously consider returning them.

The store will very quickly contact you by telephone. You can expect a phone call if your payment is just one day late! Brighthouse have also been known to phone around the names you have given as references and turn up unannounced at your home. They will bombard you with all sorts of “threats” ranging from insisting on a set time to pay - to instant repossession, but you should simply ignore and disregard anything BrightHouse say to you unless it is in writing. Any kind of aggression or confrontation should be avoided at all times

Strangely, and with complete disregard to Office of Fair Trading guidelines (reproduced below), BrightHouse have an active policy of forcing you into further arrears and debt. They will NOT accept part-payments or allow you to reduce any arrears by paying a little extra for a few weeks. In fact, they will also make the FOLLOWING week/month payment due, making it even harder to “catch up” and bring your account up to date. You will also incur a weekly “penalty charge” (currently £2.70 per agreement).

For example, let's say your weekly payment is £25.00 (3 typical agreements - fridge, washing machine and TV), the punishment for being just ONE DAY LATE will be a required payment of £58.10. Eight days late and it becomes a staggering £91.20.

An extract from the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) guidelines regarding the collection of debt:

Physical/psychological harassment 2.5 Putting pressure on debtors or third parties is considered to be oppressive. 2.6 Examples of unfair practices are as follows:

f. pressurising debtors to pay in full, in unreasonably large instalments, or to increase payments when they are unable to do so g. making threatening statements or gestures or taking actions which suggest harm to debtors.

By missing just one payment, your arrears can quickly spiral out of control. Before you know it, you can find yourself in serious debt – and the debt will only increase week by week. It won’t be long before BrightHouse threaten to re-posses their goods. This will be in the form of a written default notice.

In this situation, you should consider writing a letter similar to this one:

(Send recorded delivery to head office, and copy to your local store)

Account(s) number(s) XXXXXXXXX

Dear Sirs

I am currently experiencing some financial difficulties and, as a result, have fallen behind with my weekly payments to BrightHouse.

I am receipt of a default notice for £XXXX

I do not wish to return the goods voluntarily, and as I cannot afford to pay this amount in one instalment, I would like to offer the sum of £(reasonable amount) per week on top of my regular weekly payment of £XX to clear my arrears over the next XX weeks. This payment plan can start immediately.

I have made this proposal (and made an offer of payment) at my local store, but my payment was refused. I was told that BrightHouse will not/cannot accept “part payments”. This “policy” only places my account(s) further into arrears and invokes further penalty charges. I find this both immoral, unfair and in direct contravention to OFT guidelines regarding the collection of debt.

Naturally, I hope you will accept my offer (above) and allow me time to bring my account(s) up to date in both a fair and affordable way. Of course, by accepting my offer, and by me maintaining regular payments (on time) you agree NOT to apply any further “penalty” or “late payment” charges to my account(s).

Please confirm in writing your acceptance or refusal of my offer in order for me to make the necessary payment arrangements, or to prepare for my defence in the County Court as appropriate.

Kindest Regards

YOU

cc - BrightHouse local store your local Trading Standards (this never hurts)


If you have paid more than one third of your agreement total, BrightHouse must seek a court order before they can re-posses their goods – which are now considered as “protected goods”. (Note - if, after one third of the agreement total has been paid and BrightHouse do re-posses their goods without a court order and against your will, then Brighthouse are in breach of their agreement and you are entitled to claim back all payments made previously on it.)

Even if you have NOT paid more than one third of your agreement total, BrightHouse must still seek a court order (return order) to re-posses goods from your home - even then they cannot forcibly enter. They can, however, re-posses their goods if they are in a public place.

If BrightHouse do decide to apply for a re-possession order (or return order), you will be notified of the hearing date and you will have the opportunity to put your case forward in court. If you want to keep the goods (and continue with your agreement) you must show the court you can still afford the repayments, and you should make a reasonable offer to reduce your arrears. The court will make a judgement and, if acceptable, order BrightHouse to accept your offer.

If you have paid more than half of the instalments on your agreement you may, if you wish, return the goods voluntarily and without any penalty.

More often, and as an alternative to court action (BrightHouse don’t appear to like going to court), you will probably get the offer of an account re-set. This entails signing a new agreement, which takes your outstanding balance, PLUS your arrears and starts “fresh” with a BRAND NEW agreement spread over a slightly longer period.

You should think very carefully before agreeing to this, because you risk losing all the rights you have accrued regarding repossession and early settlement, making it easier for BrightHouse to repossess their goods should you get into difficulty again.

If you do decide to accept an account re-set, insist the store manager (and you) sign the following covering letter and ensure it is stapled to your new agreement along with a copy of your ORIGINAL agreement...

Original agreement number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

New Agreement number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Date

Updated agreement to reflect Account Re-Set

IMPORTANT Payments made previously on this agreement (XX payments to date representing XX of the total amount payable) are to be reflected, and form part of, any revised agreement.

All rights under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 regarding, in particular, “early settlement” and “repossession” as set out in section J of the original agreement remain intact and continue uninterrupted into any revised agreement.

Signed - YOU (Print name)

Signed - Store Manager (for and on behalf of Caversham Finance trading as BrightHouse) (print name



Here are the complete terms and conditions applied to a standard BrightHouse Hire Purchase Agreement

Please note. These files are NOT hosted by CAG.

BRIGHTHOUSE HIRE PURCHASE TERMS AND CONDITIONS

OK, now a couple of things spring to mind... Firstly BrightHouse have recently been awarded "corporate membership of the Plain English Society", I'm guessing that these contracts weren't part of the appraisal process!!!

And secondly, customers are expected to have fully understood all the terms and conditions in the agreements they sign at the point of sale...

"STATEMENT: All charges, terms and obligations in every agreement we make with our customers are explained in easily understood language in a personal presentation in store before the agreement is signed. We then test customers on their understanding of the agreement..."

What do YOU think?

2 – “OPTIONAL” SERVICE COVER (OSC)

BrightHouse “Optional” Service Cover (OSC) agreements are underwritten by Brighthouse parent company, Caversham Finance, and are added to your hire purchase agreement as an additional weekly payment.

“…Our optional service cover gives you the added benefit of a full service package and the ability to return your product at any time, without penalty...”

You should cancel any “Optional” Service Cover policies you have now! Because:

a) You can return the goods, if necessary, without penalty if you have paid more than half the agreement total. You do not need an expensive insurance policy in order to do this.

b) The service cover was most likely applied automatically without giving you the option to choose whether you required it or not, and

c) the service cover is extremely over-priced (and totally unnecessary as you already have statutory rights), plus it represents very poor value for money when compared to a typical manufacturer’s own extended warranty as the example below shows…

Hewlett Packard Extended Warranty - Available upon registering a new Hewlett Packard product or at the end of the manufacturer’s 12 month guarantee period

A single one off payment of £88.99 which provides an additional 2 years of cover to the initial 12 months guarantee period, giving a total of 3 years cover. This cover includes collection and return, all parts and labour and a brand new replacement product if any repair is not completed within 28 days

Caversham Finance (Trading as BrightHouse) “optional” service cover

104 weekly payments of £5.77 (total £600.08) providing service cover for the 2-year duration of the agreement. (As Hewlett Packard guarantees all new products for the first twelve months regardless, this figure only represents one year of actual extended service cover. The cost of this cover is extortionate and, quite simply, cannot be justified.

Of course, “Optional” Service Cover isn’t really service cover at all. As we’ve already established, all new products are subject to a 12 months manufacturer’s warranty, (which, of course, is in addition to your statutory rights – more about that later…) and any volume purchaser like BrightHouse will be able to negotiate massive discounts with outside service agents for any repairs that may occur at other times. No. “Optional” Service Cover is really a thinly disguised payment protection plan that protects the interests of BrightHouse and NOT you!

BrightHouse also appear somewhat confused over the word “optional”. According to their own terms and conditions, “optional” service cover is an “option” to purchase at the time of the initial agreement, and cancellation thereafter will require 7 days notice. However, BrightHouse staff will tell you that “optional” means the option not to purchase the service cover can only be exercised at the time of the initial agreement and, furthermore, cannot be removed thereafter!

This is total nonsense. Service cover is optional and can be removed. Of course, any attempt remove it will invoke fierce resistance from BrightHouse! Local store managers, under pressure from their area managers, will have stringent sales targets to meet, and the revenue generated by “Optional” Service Cover policies is vital to them.

You should also be aware that BrightHouse has the right to terminate your "Optional" Service Cover policy with just 7 days notice to you. They have been known to apply this clause if an item is deemed “beyond economic repair” leaving you considerably out of pocket (and left with nothing) when this happens towards the end of an agreement. In contrast, a typical manufacturer’s own extended warranty would, at least, result in a refund of the premium paid.

To remove optional service cover from your agreement(s), put a request in writing to your store (and to head office). Once this has been done the store has to comply with your request. Use a letter similar to this one:

Item Description/Account Number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Dear Sirs

I am writing to give the required 7 days notice, as detailed in my agreement(s) that I wish to cancel all "optional" service cover on the above product(s). To simplify matters, I have today (date) presented a copy of this letter to the store manager of Brighthouse (Branch), which has been duly acknowledged, so 7 days notice shall commence at the date of this letter.

As stated in my agreement:

“Your Obligations: Optional Service Cover Section C (b) The service cover premium is renewable each time your regular instalment is due under the agreement. If the premium is not paid Service Cover will lapse.

Section H (3) This policy shall continue in force until you give seven days notice…”

I shall, therefore, be making my next payment on (day) at Brighthouse (branch). This payment will not include "optional" service cover.

I understand that I may be required to sign a revised agreement. I will only do this on the firm understanding that all payments made previously on this agreement are reflected in any revised agreement. I do not waive any of my rights under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 regarding, in particular, “early settlement” and “repossession” as set out in section J of the original agreement.

Kind Regards You


You may also like to quote this extract from a transcript of the BBC 4 programme, “Money Box.”

BrightHouse is the trading name of a company in Reading, Caversham Finance Limited. It refused requests for an interview, but in a statement said:

STATEMENT: All charges, terms and obligations in every agreement we make with our customers are explained in easily understood language in a personal presentation in store before the agreement is signed. We then test customers on their understanding of the agreement. The optional insurances offered and accepted by this customer were clearly explained and the customer had every opportunity to cancel either at the start of the agreement or at any time during it…


In much the same as an account re-set (see above) the removal of Optional Service Cover will usually result in a new agreement having to be signed. This is because the weekly premium for it is incorporated into the weekly payment schedule.

If you do have to sign a new agreement, and because you risk losing all the rights you have accrued regarding repossession and early settlement (as explained earlier), insist the store manager (and you) sign the following covering letter and ensure it is stapled to your new agreement along with a copy of your ORIGINAL agreement...

Original agreement number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

New Agreement number XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Date

Updated agreement to reflect removal of Optional Service Cover

IMPORTANT Payments made previously on this agreement (XX payments to date representing XX of the total amount payable) are to be reflected, and form part of, any revised agreement.

All rights under the Consumer Credit Act 1974 regarding, in particular, “early settlement” and “repossession” as set out in section J of the original agreement remain intact and continue uninterrupted into any revised agreement.

Signed - YOU (Print name)

Signed - Store Manager (for and on behalf of Caversham Finance trading as Brighthouse) (print name)


The OSC is available in Adobe PDF format for easy download (opens in new window). If you would prefer a copy in MS Word, PM Lefty and he'll get it to you.

Please note. These files are NOT hosted by CAG.


OPTIONAL SERVICE COVER Terms and Conditions

Interesting read this one. No mention anywhere of returning your product at any time. It is just a simple (non insured) service contract. (Plus it's totally worthless because BrightHouse can simply end it if they feel like it!)

3 - DAMAGE LIABILITY COVER (DLC)

BrightHouse “Damage Liability Cover” (DLC) agreements are, once again, underwritten by Brighthouse parent company, Caversham Finance, and are added to your hire purchase agreement as yet another additional weekly payment.

This insurance policy (around £250 on a £800 cash price product) is loaded AUTOMATICALLY and will only be removed if you can supply proof of "suitable" home contents insurance. (BrightHouse reserve the right to determine what is and what is not "suitable". In fact, very few home contents policies will specifically include items subject to a hire purchase agreement.)

You are led to believe this insurance covers the product for damage, theft, fire, flood etc. However, unlike "real" home contents insurance it WILL NOT provide you with a replacement product should it become necessary (not even like-for-like) and will only, at best, release you from your agreement with BrightHouse - who, ultimately, benefit from the policy. You end up with NOTHING!!! Furthermore, in the event of a claim, the store manager will have the final say as to whether the policy should apply. He may, for instance, decide the goods where stolen or damaged because you didn’t secure or look after them adequately.

Most people - even those who live in "high risk" insurance areas - can insure the entire contents of their home for less than BrightHouse charge for Damage Liability Cover on a single item!

Basically, “Optional Service Cover” (above) and “Damage Liability Cover” is just one big payment protection policy split into two (thus disguising its true purpose) and, typically, BrightHouse staff will rely on a customer’s lack of knowledge and understanding when applying it. The two policies combined – and based upon a typical £800 cash price product – will eventually add around an extra £850.00 to your agreement.

By their own admission, BrightHouse claim that around 90% of their customers have Optional Service Cover and Damage Liability Cover incorporated into their agreements.


The DLC is available in Adobe PDF format for easy download (opens in new window). If you would prefer a copy in MS Word, PM Lefty and he'll get it to you.

Please note. These files are NOT hosted by CAG.


DAMAGE LIABILITY COVER Terms and Conditions

More interesting reading... Now we know why BrightHouse, as a company, doesn't appear to be regulated by the FSA! DLC policies are underwritten by Caversham Insurance (Malta) Ltd (a sister company of Caversham Finance, which owns BrightHouse!)

Watch out for the policy excess on portable equipment, and if your goods are ever stolen they won't pay out unless there was forced entry!

4 – LATE PAYMENT CHARGES

Brighthouse impose a penalty charge of £2.70 (per agreement) for late payments – even if only by one day! This may, on the surface, appear quite reasonable until you consider this is a WEEKLY charge and is applied to all agreements individually. (Most customers will have more than one agreement. For instance, a typical bed will be spread over two separate agreements. One for the frame and one for the mattress.)

This equates to a monthly charge of more than £11.00 per agreement, and assuming an average customer may have 4 separate agreements, this quickly becomes a monthly penalty charge of around £50.00. (This makes the banks and their highly publicised penalty charges look like angels in comparison!)

Punitive penalty charges are illegal in common law. Losses for breach of contract must only reflect the actual loss, and not be a way of profiteering. In much the same way as customers have challenged banks and had their bank charges refunded, people have also succeeded with claiming penalty charges back from Brighthouse.

5 – YOUR STATUTORY RIGHTS AND THE SUPPLY OF GOODS (IMPLIED TERMS) ACT 1973

Even if you do not have “Optional” Service Cover on your agreement(s), and the goods develop a fault, don’t be fobbed off with any rubbish that repairs have to be paid for and the responsibility lies with you. Regardless of how old your product is, and assuming it's been used correctly and in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions, then BrightHouse have a LEGAL duty to comply with the SUPPLY OF GOOD (IMPLIED TERMS) ACT 1973 and either refund, replace or repair (dependant upon how old the goods are) as necessary.

Contrary to popular belief, your basic consumer rights DO NOT expire after 12 months! A new product should be of "satisfactory" quality, "fit for the purpose", "free from defects", "safe" and "DURABLE." The act relies on how a "reasonable" person would define "satisfactory" - and (in the case of a freezer, cooker or high end electrical product) a "reasonable" person would expect a new product to last considerably longer than 12 months! High-end electrical products and most domestic appliances should have a useable life expectancy of anything between 4 - 18 years!!!!!

Your rights under the SUPPLY OF GOODS (IMPLIED TERMS) ACT 1973 can last for up to six years!

It is worth noting that BrightHouse frequently supply second hand goods. Of course, they prefer to describe them as “quality refurbished”, but the bottom line is they will be used, re-possessed or repaired products – often up to 3 years old. Your rights under the SUPPLY OF GOODS (IMPLIED TERMS) ACT 1973 are somewhat more limited when it comes to second hand goods. You should, therefore, refuse to accept any goods from BrightHouse unless they are clearly described as “new” on your agreement.

You are perfectly within your rights to do this.

6 – YELLOW MONEY

Brighthouse have a system they call “yellow money”. How it works is like this: When you make a payment you are encouraged to round up and leave any excess (your change) in your account. This amount is then added to “yellow money” – a separate account in your name. These amounts can soon add up. Brighthouse DO NOT pay you any interest on this money – however, you CAN withdraw it at any time!

Brighthouse claim to have in excess of 100,000 customers – and plan to open around 15 new stores next year! If every one of those customers just had £1 in there “yellow money” account that is £100,000 of “free” money that Brighthouse can invest – yielding some £10,000 a year in interest FOR THEM!

7 – CONCLUSION

BrightHouse target the poor. Fact! They also know that 100% of their customer base is “sub-prime” – people who can’t get credit by other means. They rely on a typical customer being unaware of their consumer rights, and unlikely to “rock the boat” and jeopardize being accepted for credit. BrightHouse fully understand this – and that’s how their business works. The company clearly aims to exploit the most vulnerable and ill educated in society and, once signed up to their extortionate credit agreements, treats them with utter contempt and with absolutely no concern for their financial well being.

During our research, we frequently encountered contempt and rudeness from all sections of BrightHouse. From till staff, to store and regional managers, through to customer service advisors and senior managers. Questions were evaded, or we were lied to. Phone calls were never returned. Emails were ignored. Problems were disregarded, and any pleas for help with arrears or payment difficulties were met with a total lack of sympathy and steadfast refusal. But all of this is hidden behind a very polished corporate image, backed up by carefully chosen high profile charity causes, and very slick cross-media advertising campaigns.

Therefore it comes as no surprise that BrightHouse recently embarked on a 12-month deal to sponsor the TRISHA GODDARD show on (channel) five. Research conducted by AMS Media concluded that 70% of TRISHA GODDARD’S audience match the company’s "typical" customer profile. Interestingly, a recent independent report also revealed that 70% of BrightHouse customers are totally dependant upon state benefit.

Perhaps what is needed is a drastic overhaul of the government’s “social fund” system? A fair and affordable credit system for people denied access to mainstream credit. Not grants, not means tested loans or handouts, but affordable (base rate interest) finance with repayments deducted straight from benefit. Surely this is better than watching £150 million drained annually from the benefit system by venture capitalists like Vision Capital - the owner of BrightHouse?


Useful contact information re: Brighthouse

Now then, we all know that Brighthouse has a culture of rudeness and ignoring requests for information, customer service, advice etc. This goes all the way from till monkeys, through to store and regional managers and right up to customer service advisors and SENIOR managers. Nobody EVER calls you back or returns your calls or emails... (infact most emails bounce back)...

A little research using the WHOIS register reveals that Brighthouse (Caversham Finance) own many web domains...

For their regular website they use:

http://www.brighthouse.co.uk/ (no email facilities)

http://www.brighthouse.info/ (no email facilities)

Interestingly, the "customer service" page on their website offers NO facility to make contact by email - although it does say "call, email, pop in store!"

It also gives their customer service department address as:

BrightHouse Customer Services

16 Grampian Court

Almondvale South

Livingston

EH54 6QF

0800 5780717

This is NOT Brighthouse head office, and my guess it's just an "out-sourced" call centre.


Their REAL head office (and REAL customer service department) address is:

Chiltern House,

Marsack Street,

Reading RG4 5AP

01189 466000


Brighthouse also own these additional web domains:

http://www.cavershamfinance.co.uk/ (parked)

http://www.cavershamfinance.com/ (parked)

http://www.cavershamtrading.co.uk/ (parked)

http://www.cavershamtrading.com/ (parked)

Incidently, Caversham Trading Ltd is the company they use to buy/lease retail property which it then rents to Brighthouse Ltd

Now then, if you want to contact anyone at Brighthouse by email you can forget ANY of the web addresses above. For head office email they use:

http://www.brighthousestores.co.uk/

All operations staff have email accounts in the format of:

SURNAME.FORENAME AT BRIGHTHOUSESTORES.CO.UK