Update to their reply:
This response is a perfect example of how this company treats customers, defensive, dismissive, and missing the point. The wording on their website is not clear, and it’s misleading to suggest otherwise. I paid expecting help obtaining my deed poll, not to be charged just for them to tell me they couldn’t find anything.
Claiming the “service was fulfilled” because a quick search was done is not what a reasonable person would see as fair or transparent. Instead of taking responsibility or showing any goodwill, they immediately resort to threats of small claims action, which says a lot about their approach to customer service.
They also claim their threat of legal action was “a factual explanation of procedure, not intimidation.” Yet, their email to me clearly warned that they would “pursue the matter through the Small Claims Court and obtain a County Court Judgment (CCJ) against my name.” That is not a polite or factual explanation, it’s a threat. This directly contradicts what they’ve publicly claimed.
They’ve even tried to twist my words by saying I “threatened to leave a negative review,” when I simply said I would share my honest experience if it wasn’t resolved fairly, which any customer has a right to do. I have added the email I sent where I mention leaving a review, as well as their threat of a CCJ.
They also claim they “offered me a replacement deed poll at a greatly reduced fee,” which is completely untrue. No such offer was ever made in any of our correspondence. If it had been, they’d be able to show proof. Making false statements like that publicly is misleading and dishonest.
Your own email stated that the replacement deed poll would cost £26, after deducting the £20 I had already paid as a search fee. That is not a “greatly reduced” offer, it is simply the remaining balance after using my original payment toward a new document.
Furthermore, you now say it is “not your responsibility to keep track of who I ordered my deed poll from,” yet your own email confirms that you issued my deed poll in 2009. Therefore, the responsibility for holding accurate records and archives lies with your organisation, not me. (Photo’s of their email to me attatched)
Their conduct, tone, and reliance on scripted responses show a complete lack of professionalism and transparency. Their email and public statement contradict each other entirely, and their behaviour towards customers speaks volumes.
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I paid £20 for a Deed Poll archive search. The company confirmed no record existed and then demanded extra money for a replacement. When I asked for a refund, I was met with a dismissive attitude and even a threat of court action over a £20 dispute.
I fully understand what their terms say, this review isn’t about that. It’s about how they treat customers and the tone they use when questioned. A professional company would show some fairness, empathy, and respect instead of quoting terms and threatening legal action.
I’ve now escalated this through Trading Standards and my bank. I’m posting this so others are aware of how the company handles complaints, not because of a misunderstanding, but because of how they behave when challenged.