Assistance with unjustified debt collection claims

Questioner

My friend recently started his own business, now that he is registered with the Chamber of Commerce he gets a lot of phone calls from call centers. Now there was one that gave him some kind of advertising and made sure he was findable on the net. He had to pay an amount of 572 euros for that. My friend indicated that he would like to find it on the net, but because he had just started his own business, he had to pay such an amount in installments and that he wanted to do it... Not even a week later, my friend had to pay the full amount and was called all over the place with a request for payment and there was no mention of installment payments. They also said that he had to pay because he had verbally promised. They have now even sent the collection agency after him, but he had only promised if he could pay the amount in installments. My question is, is this allowed?

Lawyer

Unfortunately your friend has discovered what many new entrepreneurs discover namely that you have to pay close attention if you have a company that wants to sell something by phone. My advice never do it just say no and if you are already interested then tell them to send a letter or email with the offer. I advise you to inform the collection agency that your friend never entered into an agreement with the company under which he has to pay €572. You run the risk that the collection agency will continue to threaten you, but do not fall for it.