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Page 6
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Aplin demands commission
Debts force parcel network members into legal battle. Chris Tindall reports.
A COURT BATTLE is looming among West Country franchisees of parcels firm ANC over alleged debts from a Bristol-based company.
But these are denied by mailing house Aplin International, which argues it has a legitimate case for withholding payment.
A franchisee for the express delivery firm complains that Aplin International is refusing to cough up outstanding payments until the dispute is settled, and it has been forced to contact a debt collector to retrieve the money.
Aplin International began trading with ANC Bristol around 18 months ago, then opened up accounts with otherANC branches in the South-west, and introduced clients into the network as well.
However, the relationship soured after ANC's central sales director Martin Davidian met with Aplin MD John Dixon to discuss problems associated with account administration. According to an e-mail Davidian later sent to eight depot principals, he understood that Aplin International was willing to pull out of operating daily parcels and would recommend to its customers to trade with ANC directly. A suggestion that commission should be paid to Aplin International for winning the original business and recommending ANC was turned down by Davidian, who claimed it was not ANC practice.
But this is not accepted by Dixon, who has sent a terminal statement demanding over .£73,000 from all the ANC depots Aplin traded with.
It claims that, for example, ANC Swindon owes the company around £16,000. However, the depot's principal, Julie Cooksley, says the amount owed is almost £23,000 in the depot's favour, because Aplin International has not paid its delivery bills since May. -He's moved the goalposts," she says. "This is not good news at all. At any time it wouldn't be. but we have had a hellish year."
Liverpool-based debt collectors Recovery and Financial confirms it has issued a letter to Aplin on behalf of ANC Swindon, demanding payment within seven days.
Dixon refused to discuss the dispute, saying: "This is entirely confidential and private. It's a civil legal matter and we've got a legitimate claim against ANC."