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Servais Course: Termination of My Contract?

Charlotte2601 -  
 Ms -
Hello everyone!

Like many people, I also got caught by the Servais courses.
I requested the cancellation of my contract a few months ago, knowing that the books are useless, no one called me, not to mention the fact that we are pushed to buy their "courses."
They of course replied that they refuse my cancellation and that I owe them more than €600..
I responded that I would not pay, (I blocked the direct debit), that I could no longer pay and that I was struggling to make ends meet at the end of the month.
The collections service keeps calling me, telling me that at the end of the month my case will be sent outside (I assume to a bailiff, right?) and they emphasized that it will be very SERIOUS.
I'm starting to panic a bit; one thing is for sure: I will not pay! But what can happen after all this? Can I go to court? Can they seize me for €600? Thank you for your answers..

7 answers

  1. chahid
     
    Hello everyone. I'm facing the same problem. I registered in 2017 for Servais courses to become a peacekeeper, I paid €95 for books. The sales representative pressured me to sign the contract and backdate the registration. Two months later, I found a job that suits me and cancelled the automatic payments with my bank four months later (€70 per month).
    Today, in 2020, I'm still receiving threats from a collection agency. I told them off, they didn't get it, poor thing. They're asking me to pay €1,670 within 10 days. Help me please.
    6
    2. Sofia
       
      Hello, I would like to know that I registered for the Servais course at the end of November, but I don't have time to study the courses and I don't understand anything (State Administrative Assistant). How can I cancel my contract? I have been sending them messages regarding the training to get some explanations, but I have not received any response. Thank you.
      0
  2. Jimpix Posted messages 12079 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 391
     
    Hello,

    To consider that books are "worthless" is not a valid reason; that would be too simple.

    Reread your contract and the subscription terms.
    1
    1. Outis
       
      Was the request made clearly?
      That's the most important thing.
      Servais courses are accustomed to this.
      First and foremost, it’s a commercial company that plays on the word 'course'. There can be no teaching due to the lack of teachers. However, the trainers probably have administrative professional experience.
      0
      1. baladur13 Posted messages 47335 Registration date   Status Moderator Last intervention   14 392 > Outis
         
        Hello
        For 7 years... I think everything has been settled...
        1
  3. saise18 Posted messages 1 Status Member
     
    Hello, I have the same problem, could you help me please?
    0
    1. Elma
       
      I have the same problem. Have you found a solution?
      0
  6. Ms
     
    Hello everyone, I registered in 2015, and of course, the salesperson managed to sign me up, but told me that I could cancel at any time with a notice of 3 months. However, after finding a job, I wanted to cancel the contract and to my surprise, I had to pay the full amount. I was harassed by SORREC, even had to deal with a bailiff from Guadeloupe (I live in Réunion). In December 2021, I received a message saying to call back urgently without giving any specifics. Thinking it was my insurance, I called back and ended up with a completely hysterical woman who practically hung up on me. I learned that after 2 years, the debt is time-barred for the consumer. I am ready to go to court and not yield to their pressure; it's a well-oiled machine. I even see positive comments on forums that are clearly from people from the same company. Impressive. These are unscrupulous people ready to take advantage of others' weaknesses to enrich themselves legally. I had canceled by email but beyond the three months like pretty much everyone else. Good luck to everyone.
    0
    1. brucine Posted messages 24914 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 179
       
      Hello,

      The statute of limitations and the nullity of an action by a bailiff or a debt collection agency, as long as there is no execution of a court decision, is another matter.

      However, whether one finds the content of the courses beneficial or not, one is not justified in terminating the signed contract unless: 


      The contract may be terminated by the student, or their legal representative, if, due to an unforeseen event or force majeure, they are prevented from following the corresponding teaching


      Just finding a job does not constitute a case of force majeure preventing the continuation of distance learning aimed at applying for another position.

      https://www.legifrance.gouv.fr/codes/id/LEGISCTA000006166630/2000-06-22/

      Unless invoking a formal defect due to a statute of limitations, if the creditor decides to pursue the matter in court, we will lose unless we can demonstrate that the signing of such a contract resulted from "abuse of weakness," which seems particularly tenuous in this case since it was not the organization that solicited the client or forced them in any way.

      So if the company abandons its claim, that's great, but we cannot support fallacious arguments to claim that it is not founded.
      0
      1. Ms > brucine Posted messages 24914 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        I think this company is ready to go all the way, but I won't let them do it to me. For my part, this dates back more than 2 years. The facts should therefore be time-barred, I believe. And then the local magistrate will decide. But there is no way I will pay... knowing that the statute of limitations for an invoice varies according to the nature of the debtor, whether individual or professional. For an invoice sent to an individual and left unpaid, the creditor has only 2 years to initiate recovery or more precisely, 2 years to file with the competent court if their recovery is threatened.
        0
      2. brucine Posted messages 24914 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention   4 179 > Ms
         
        Hello,

        Unless the bailiffs' action results from a court decision, there is indeed a statute of limitations because the company failed to assert its claim in a timely manner to the court.

        You are even less likely to appeal to the local judge since it no longer exists, that it is not your place to do so anyway, and that if there were a need to approach the competent court, it would require a prior conciliation.

        However, you cannot prevent any potential reminders, to which you certainly have the right not to comply.

        What made me react is thus not the legal problem, but the fact that you mention "abuse of weakness" or whatever: the company's choice not to assert its claim in court exempts you, but it does not change the fact that its claim was perfectly valid since your grounds for termination were not acceptable: that it no longer suits you to pay for a service you believe you no longer need is one thing, but it in no way allows you to claim that the company in question is, for that sole reason, a "bad apple," while it only executed (poorly in our case, and good for you) a contract that bound you.
        0
      3. Ms > brucine Posted messages 24914 Registration date   Status Member Last intervention  
         
        You didn't understand me, the sales rep for the course told me that I could cancel at any time within three months... This would not have bothered me at all, and it still doesn't, but paying the full amount is out of the question. Knowing, of course, that this was specified in very small print at the end of the contract.
        Moreover, I had canceled by email, but they told me that it had to be done by registered mail. So unfortunately, they chose the wrong person with me, being very bad faith. I see they are getting all the negative reviews on forums, are you part of that too? LOL
        0
  7. emilie
     
    Hello,

    I’m in the same situation; I would like to stop their withdrawals, but it’s impossible. They only call if the withdrawal hasn’t happened; it’s complete nonsense... Even when I told them that I could no longer afford to pay and that it was becoming tight... (it's not their problem). So if anyone has a solution...
    0
  8. Cherazad
     
    Hello

    If you have found a solution, please contact me at [Removed by moderation. Personal information or against the CCM charter]
    Thank you
    0