Complaints procedure

 

Our aim is always to provide an exceptionally high level of service to all of our customers.

Where customers feel they have cause to raise a complaint it is important to us that these aredealt with objectively, fairly and within an acceptable time frame.The following procedure explains how we deal with complaints, our commitments to you andwhat redress you have if you think your complaint has not been resolved to your satisfaction.

If you have a complaint about any aspect of our service then we would like to hear from you.

How to tell us if you have a complaint

To help us investigate and resolve your issue as quickly as possible, you can contact us bytelephone or in writing. The most appropriate person will handle your complaint in the quickestpossible time.

Our complaints contact details are:

email [email protected]
calling us on 01782 562246
or write to us at Independent House, Apedale Road, Rowhurst Industrial Estate , Newcastle-Under-Lyme, ST5 6BH

What information do we need to address your complaint?

To assist us in resolving your complaint efficiently it would be helpful if you could provide thefollowing information:

  • Your full name and preferred contact details
  • Your order or vehicle registration number
  • Full details of your complaint
  • Copies of relevant paperwork
  • Photographic evidence of any complaint relating to vehicle damage/defects where applicable
  • What you expect us to do to put things right
  • Any other information that you think may be relevant

Please note: If you appoint a third party to act on behalf we cannot discuss any aspect of yourcontract with them until we receive your permission in writing or from your personal emailaddress or in writing to the above address.

What we do if we receive a complaint from you

Any complaint, verbal or written, will be allocated it to the most appropriate Complaints Handler.We will always try to resolve your complaint immediately. However, sometimes this may not bepossible. In all cases we will implement the following process:

Complaint Process

  1. Your case reference will be your order number
  2. We will give you the name and title of the person handling your complaint
  3. We will send you written acknowledgement within 3 working days of receiving your complaint
  4. Make contact to seek clarification on any points where necessary
  5. Fully investigate your complaint with reference to other AVM departments, AVM staff and thirdparties where relevant
  6. Keep you informed and fully updated regarding any progress
  7. Discuss with you our findings and our proposed response
  8. Our aim will be to send you our final written response within ten working days but no later thaneight weeks as required by the Financial Conduct Authority

Adviser or Provider

Customers sometimes express dissatisfaction to us about their product provider/funder. In thisscenario, we will establish whether your complaint relates solely to the advice or service given byAdept Vehicle Management or the service/performance of your funder/product provider or vehiclemanufacturer. If unclear, this should not delay investigation and regardless of cause we willproceed with our own investigation. Your case manager will review this matter and take thecomplaint directly to the third party, if appropriate, in consultation with you. In cases where thirdparties have clearly caused the issue we will refer the matter promptly to the third party, providingyou with a written explanation of why we have done so and their contact details.

Investigation

  • Deal with complaints promptly and fairly
  • Give complainants clear replies and, where appropriate, fair redress

Eligibility

It is Adept Vehicle Management Limited policy to treat all complainants the same, however,certain types of complaints fall within the scope of FCA rules and consequently within thejurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service.

FCA Complaints Rules

  • Complaints made by, or on behalf of an eligible complainant; Eligible Complainants areessentially individuals and certain small businesses
  • The Complainant must relate to the provision of or failure to provide a financial service or aredress determination and;
  • The Complainant must allege that they have suffered, or may suffer, financial loss, material distress or material inconvenienceFinal ResponseThis will set out clearly the Adept Vehicle Management Limited decision and the reasons for it. Ifany compensation is offered a clear method of calculation will be shown.

    Where appropriate we are required to include details of the Financial Ombudsman Servicetogether with the BVRLA (British Vehicle Rental & Leasing Association) Conciliation Service inthe final response. If dealing with an eligible complainant and a regulated activity, we will:

  • Explain that the complainant must refer the matter to the Ombudsman within six months of thedate of this letter or the right to use this service is lost
  • Indicate whether we consent to waive the relevant time limits

Complaints settled within 3 business days

Complaints that can be settled to your satisfaction within 3 business days can be recorded andcommunicated differently. Where we consider a complaint to be resolved to your satisfactionunder this section, we will promptly send you a Summary Resolution Communication, being awritten communication from us which:

  1. Refers to the fact that you have made a complaint and informs you that we now consider thecomplaint to have been resolved to your satisfaction;
  2. We will tell you that if you subsequently decide that you are dissatisfied with the resolution of thecomplaint you may be able to refer the complaint back to us for further consideration oralternatively refer the complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the BVRLA ConciliationService (depending on the type of complaint)
  3. Indicates if we consent to waive the relevant time limits, (where we have discretion in suchmatters)
  4. Provide the relevant addresses of the Financial Ombudsman Service and the BVRLAConciliation Service
  5. Refer to the availability of further information on the website of the Financial OmbudsmanService and the BVRLA Conciliation Service

Closing a complaint

We will consider a complaint closed when we have made our final response to you. This doesnot prevent you from exercising any rights you may have to refer the matter to the Financial Ombudsman Service or the BVRLA Conciliation Service.

What to do if you are not happy with our decision

If you have a regulated consumer credit contract arranged by us and are not satisfied with ourFinal Response, you may be eligible to refer the matter either to the Financial Ombudsman or tothe BVRLA Conciliation Service.

Financial Ombudsman Service

If relevant then you can refer your complaint to the Financial Ombudsman Service – you must dothis within six months of our final response. When we send you a final response, we will alsoprovide you with a copy of the Financial Ombudsman Service’s explanatory leaflet.

We will co-operate fully with the Ombudsman in resolving any complaints made against us andagree to be bound by any awards made by them.

You can contact the financial Ombudsman at the following address:

The Financial Ombudsman Service
Exchange Tower
London
E14 9SR
Tel: 0800 023 4567 (free for most people from a fixed line) or 0300 123 9123 (cheaper for thosecalling using a mobile) or 020 7964 0500 (if calling from abroad)
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.financial-ombudsman.org.uk

BVRLA Conciliation Service

As a Leasing Broker member of the British Rental & Leasing Association (BVRLA) you orNationwide Vehicle Contracts LTD may refer any unresolved disputes to them.

The BVRLA is approved by Government as a Consumer ADR body under the Alternative DisputeResolution For Consumer Disputes (Competent Authorities andInformation) Regulations 2015.

The BVRLA Conciliation Service will investigate potential breaches of the BVRLA Code ofConduct and will aim to resolve matters using information presented by both parties to thedispute. Any information requested from Adept Vehicle Management Limited will be sent to theBVRLA within five working days. Based on the information available, the BVRLA will provide bothparties with its findings and recommendations.

The BVRLA aims to resolve complaints through their Conciliation Service within 30 days andmembers must comply with the Conciliation Service’s findings.

You can send any complaint to the BVRLA in writing via:

Details should be submitted by email to: [email protected]

If you do not have access to email, details can be sent by post to:

British Vehicle Rental and Leasing Association
River Lodge
Badminton Court
Amersham
HP7 0DD

If you have any questions relating to Adept Vehicle Management Limiteds’ handling process,please contact on 01782 562246 or email [email protected]