I purchased an Alarm system via Security Direct, they came to my home and demonstrated the system and we said YES, the then asked how would you like to pay, by bank card was my reply. "Do you have a Corte Ingles card" they asked "Yes" was my reply "but I never use it".
Then i was convinced to enter into an agreement with Corte Ingles and Secuirty Direct, 3 month interest free payments then only 34 euros per month for the alarm service again taken from my card.
A call was made to Corte Ingles and I confirmed my deatils.
Alarm Installed and all happy.
I waited for the contract, and wait and waited, no money was taken from my bank account and still I waited.
I sent some emails, no reply so I waited.
Then disaster struck, during the wild fires on the Costa Del Sol, i fell and broke my foot and leg, wheelchair bound and in pain, suffering the effects of the fire and injury and not being able or drive or walk I forgot about El Corte Ingles and Security Direct, until a letter arrived from El Corte Ingles informing me i was in arrears, I checked with my bank and yes no payments taken, also still no contract from them!
I explained I was in a wheelchair as was not able to get to a bank but could I pay the arrears over the phone by debit or credit card? the answer was NO, you must come to a Corte Ingles store, I explained I was in a wheelchair and this was not possible. But as soon as I could I would visit a store.
Many emails sent by me and NO replies from them!
More emails asking for a contract still no reply.
Then a call after a long chat the person informed me that Corte Ingles understood my problem and I could start a new agreement at the end of Oct, Nov & Dec, again interest free and all would be fine. They had been taking 34 euros a month from my account for the alarm service so I have no idea why they had not taken the cost of the alarm as well?
When i was able to hobble on crutches I made my way to the Corte Ingles store in Mijas Costa, and the lady called Madrid and they informed me there was no agreement and I must pay interest on arrears. I complained but got just a stoney look. So I paid under protest.
Then I had a call from a very rude man telling me that I must pay everything today, so I said no problem credit for debit card? we cant take those you must go to a store. again i explained that i was due more hospital treatment and I was still not able to drive. NOT IMPORTANT was his reply.
At that point I said I would to go to the press and to publish my story, a few minuets later another call from a very nice man, "NO PROBLEM we will make a new agreement" so all was well.
The end of November I paid another payment so 2 down 1 to go.
Then Security Direct phones and a very RUDE lady informed me that I was in arrears and this was a problem, I explained the story and she informed me that Corte Ingles had not passed any money to them.
yesterday 10th December a very nice lady from Security Direct informed me that Corte Ingles had taken my money and had passed nothing to Security Direct and were refusing to speak with them.
So I have been paying Corte Ingles for an alarm system and they have not been passing the money to the alarm company and I am now in arrears with the alarm company.
Is this a normal way for El Corte Ingles to operate?