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French Legal Issues
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24/04/2008, 11:44
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Washy

Joined on 23/08/2004
Corbieres, Aude (11)
Posts 332
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Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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OK the same friend I have been helping sent le a copy of an invoice from www.Help-in-France.co.uk, asking for 60 euros for 2 hours work they say they have done for her.............there is a clause on the invoice stating that non payment will incur interest etc....they quote a relevant law but doesn't say in which country the law is applied. This website displays a french Siret number, but the website is based in the UK, how do I check that this is a bona fide french registered company. I was out yesterday and my friend contacted this company through an ad in Connexions newspaper, I do not think this displays their charges whereas their website does. This has just given my friend a load more stress she doesn't need especially since she has no money at all. Does anyone know how I can check this company out, or has anyone else used them. I do not doubt they are very helpful to people who can pay them, I know my friend would not have continued with the conversation with them if she had known the result would cost her 60 euros so far. They have now made an appointment with an english speaking solicitor, so I wonder if she is getting another invoice for more hours.
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24/04/2008, 12:28
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Clair

Joined on 23/08/2004
------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot
Posts 6,243
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Re: Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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Their T&C say "We will require a deposit of 30 Euros before commencing work on you behalf."
The company is based in France and appears to be legitimate: http://avis-situation-sirene.insee.fr/
Clair, a Real Virtual French Person
La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)
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24/04/2008, 15:47
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Washy

Joined on 23/08/2004
Corbieres, Aude (11)
Posts 332
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Re: Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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Thanks Clair, myfriend's first contact with them was through an ad thatdid not mention fees, she did not have access tothe web site. When she spoke to them on the phone there was no mention of fees or a deposit. Just an invoice by email a short time later. She contacted them and told them she did not want them to do anything else for her and now she has had another message giving her the name of an avocat and a possible time for a meeting locally.We had already looked up that lawyer in thephone book but not yet telephoned. Do you think she is going to get another incoive or are they in some way tied into the lawyer. Panicking now in case there are other invoices to be flying around and the bill for the lawyer will include a commission to the Help in France company. Any suggestions?????
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24/04/2008, 15:59
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Clair

Joined on 23/08/2004
------- Forum Moderator ------- Lot
Posts 6,243
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Re: Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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This is just my personal opinion, nothing else.
Their own T&C say they request an upfront fee before doing any work. If that was not requested, nor was any contract signed, I can't see how they can charge for anything, particularly if your friend does not contact the avocat they suggested. My feeling would be not to get in touch with him, not because of a possible tie-in, but simply because by
following up on the advice, you friend could be seen as making use of the
service they provided.
That could put her in a weaker position should she decide to "ignore" the invoice.
Clair, a Real Virtual French Person
La vérité est si obscurcie en ce temps et le mensonge si établi, qu'à moins d'aimer la vérité, on ne saurait la reconnaître. (Blaise Pascal)
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24/04/2008, 16:32
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Benjamin
Joined on 21/08/2005
Vendée South
Posts 1,563
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Re: Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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Again, only my opinion but if your friend has got a copy of the ad and there are no fees mentioned and they didn't agree to any cost over the 'phone then simply ignore the invoice. Any subsequent threatening follow up, as there well maybe, should be responded to by asking for a copy of the contract that they hold agreeing to charges.
I don't understand why companies with a fairly limited potential customer base try this sort of thing on. If they don't realise the power of the internet and discussion forums like this one then they simply do not understand the damage that they are doing to what otherwise may be a perfectly solid reputation.
Benjamin
Snips, snails and puppy dog tails
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24/04/2008, 16:59
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Washy

Joined on 23/08/2004
Corbieres, Aude (11)
Posts 332
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Re: Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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Thanks Benjamn, just before checking for replies we had in fact worded a letter asking for a copy of the contract etc, enclosing a copy of the ad etc etc. and she has made an appointment with a lawyer, so maybe she can start to get all of these problems resolved.
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France Forum » Legal and Finan... » French Legal Is... » Re: Help in France ? Related to Woofers and other issues in previous posting..........
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