Accountant claiming tie in period

[tiggat]

Hi,

Just posting to ask if anyone has any experience with an accountant they've wanted to leave claiming a tie in period?
I signed up to a new accountant called Clear Accountancy Solutions, after a month of trying and failing to get information or advice out of them, and generally getting bad information, I emailed them to say I wanted to end the service, they then said I had signed up to a 6 month tie-in period, which I dispute as I cannot find any record of my giving consent to such a thing. It appears there may have been a pre-ticked box on their website when I put my details in, has anyone else had any similar experiences?

Thanks

[northernladuk]

You should have had some documentation when you signed up. Have you read through it all carefully?

If you can't find it ask them to provide a copy of them with their T&Cs.

[eek]

The website form is very clear you sign up to a 6 or 12 month contract.

So I don't think there is anything you can do except remember do your research before hand next time

[tiggat]

You should have had some documentation when you signed up. Have you read through it all carefully?

If you can't find it ask them to provide a copy of them with their T&Cs.

Their terms and conditions state : "services must not expire before the date that falls 12 months from the commencement date"

The website form is very clear you sign up to a 6 or 12 month contract.

So I don't think there is anything you can do except remember do your research before hand next time

I don't think they can argue a pre-ticked box constitutes consent to the tie-in.

[northernladyuk]

Their terms and conditions state : "services must not expire before the date that falls 12 months from the commencement date"


I don't think they can argue a pre-ticked box constitutes consent to the tie-in.

You could try to argue that their failure to provide an acceptable level of service is a material breach of contract, and then invite them to sue.

[ContrataxLtd]

I can't believe they are arguing over 6 months fees with a client who wants to leave because of poor service (from the sounds of it). Surely the best thing to do is just end the engagement, provide the transfer information (probably very little) and just close the file and be done with the hassle?

Martin
Contratax Ltd

[northernladuk]

I don't think they can argue a pre-ticked box constitutes consent to the tie-in.

But many sites have a tick box that says you agree to their terms and conditions so I think they can.

You will also have signed it as well.

[l35kee]

I can't believe they are arguing over 6 months fees with a client who wants to leave because of poor service (from the sounds of it). Surely the best thing to do is just end the engagement, provide the transfer information (probably very little) and just close the file and be done with the hassle?

Martin
Contratax Ltd

That might be their business model.

[billybiro]

But many sites have a tick box that says you agree to their terms and conditions so I think they can.

You will also have signed it as well.

If the checkbox is pre-ticked, you've got a much better leg to stand on. The law is quite clear about requiring you to explicitly opt-in (i.e. by default the checkbox is unchecked and you have to explicitly and very physically check that box). I've known of a few cases where a pre-ticked box did not stand up when push came to shove and it was argued against.

[tiggat]

They are now saying they will waive the six month tie in as "good will" and I will pay them for one month.