Mum-of-two claims she was chased for washing machine repayments by BrightHouse staff ‘while in labour’
Kelly Greenwood, 28, took out a BrightHouse agreement in 2011 - she claims that staff rang her to chase repayments while she was in labour
A FORMER salon owner claims she was chased for repayments for washing machine by BrightHouse staff "while in labour" with her son.
Kelly Greenwood, 28, from Burnley, took out an agreement for a Hotpoint Aqualtis with the company in 2011.
Today, The Sun launches its Stop The Credit Rip-Off campaign to help the millions of families who are struggling with rent-to-own or doorstep lending debt.
The mum-of-two turned to the rent-to-own firm after losing her salon business due to poor health.
In total she paid £1,286 for the machine. You can buy a similar model on the high street today for £550.
"I was at a really low point when I went to BrightHouse," Kelly told the Sun. "I'd just lost my salon business because I couldn't work due to my endometriosis.
"I'd been given an old washing machine by a friend when I moved in but it had broken down.
Why we want to Stop The Credit Rip-Off
WE never want you to pay more than double the amount you've borrowed - whether it's for a new sofa or a loan to help pay your bills.
That's why The Sun has launched a campaign calling for a cap on the total cost of rent-to-own loans and doorstep lending at double the original price or loan amount.
A similar cap was introduced for payday loans in 2015 and since then the number of people struggling with unmanageable debts to those lenders has more than halved, according to Citizens Advice.
People on the lowest incomes, living in the poorest places, are paying a poverty premium - up to 7 million people have resorted to high-cost credit, according to the Department for Work and Pensions.
People whose wages or benefits don't stretch far enough need to borrow from rent-to-own or doorstep lenders to help pay for things such as an unexpected bill or to furnish their homes.
These come with exorbitant rates of interest - more than 1,500 per cent in some cases of doorstep lending.
It is scandalous that one mum who borrowed cash to help keep a roof over her family's head ended up paying back over THREE times the original amount.
It's time to stop the credit rip-off.
Here's what we demand:
Rent-to-own
- Cap on all repayable costs at double the item list prices (including fees, add-ons and interest)
- Ban on incentives for all sales staff
- Ban on discounts for existing customers to tempt them into more credit
- Companies to publish example interest rates and costs on all payment options
Doorstep lending
- Cap at double the original amount borrowed
- Stricter affordability checks
- Ban on discounts for existing customers to tempt them into more credit
It's time to Stop the Credit Rip-off.
"I was desperate and I couldn't afford to buy a new one. I couldn't manage without.
"My pride was so dented to have to go there and I felt ashamed."
At the time, Kelly and her partner Scott were living off an £108 a week income while she was on benefits and he was at college.
Kelly added: "I've never dealt with anyone so rude in my life. Every single week they would call me at 9am in the morning before I had even had a chance to pay, asking me 'are you paying today?'.
Have you ever had a problem with a rent-to-own firm or doorstep lender? Tell us your story! Email: Money@the-sun.co.uk
"Sometimes they'd even call me the day before and leave a voicemail.
"BrightHouse even rang me five or six times when I was going through a really long labour with my eldest son Harry, who is now five."
"I ended up borrowing from family to pay it off because the stress was too much."
"They are a disgusting company to deal with, I'd never do it again.
"I'd rather do without than have those constant threats that if I missed one payment they would take the washing machine."
It is not clear if staff knew she was in labour and BrightHouse says it worked hard with her so that she could keep the item.
Last year, the business was ordered to pay £14.8 MILLION pounds to 249,000 customers after the financial watchdog found it had treated them unfairly.
A spokesperson from BrightHouse said: "BrightHouse was authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority in February after making substantial changes to the way we operate, including introducing more stringent affordability checks.
"We don't loan money but instead offer a flexible and affordable way for families to get the everyday products they need. For example, we can fit a brand new washing machine into a home for just £3 a week.
"We are proud to offer a service to people with low incomes and poor credit histories; the people others are unwilling to serve.”
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