UK Customer Services Mon-Fri 9-5
Finance Options
We can work with finance companies to offer you the best possible If you prefer to spread the cost over 12 months, you can do it without having to pay a penny more than if you paid up front in one go.
We work with interest-free providers - V12 Retail Finance to offer 0% APR over 6 and 12 Months
Frequently Asked Questions
What information does V12 Retail Finance require for the application
Your address history for the last 3 years.
Your employment and income information.
Your bank account number and sort code.
Your email address so we can send you information about your application by email.
What finance does Atkin and Thyme offer
We've partnered with V12 Retail Finance to offer interest free credit (in fact it's applicable on all orders over £1,000). Monthly instalments can be spread over 6 or 12 months and you can find more info on applying on our website.
How do I qualify for 0% APR Finance
To apply for finance with V12 you'll need to be:
- 18 years or older
- In permanent paid employment, self-employed, homemaker, retired and receiving a pension, working student in part time work or in receipt of a disability benefit
- A UK resident for 3 years or more
- Have a debit or credit card in your name, which is registered to your address, to pay the deposit where applicable
- Have a Bank or Building Society current account available – this is required to complete the direct debit instruction
- Have a valid email address to receive the important information throughout the application process, including the signed credit agreement
How do I order, and what happens when I'm accepted
- Add your products to your basket. Remember your basket value must be at least £1,000 for the financing option to apply.
- On the page where you enter in your delivery information and email address, input any applicable discount code.
- Select V12 Retail Finance at the checkout and choose your preferred finance plan. Make sure your billing and delivery address are the same.
- You’ll then be taken to the V12 Retail Finance platform where you can complete your online credit agreement. Please note, you will receive an instant decision.
- You will receive an order confirmation from us, and we'll dispatch your order right away.
Do I pay a deposit
Yes a 15% deposit is required on our V12 Retail Finance plans. For a product costing £1,000 this would be a deposit of £150.
Vulnerable Customer Policy
The purpose of this policy is to ensure that the operations of Atkin and Thyme Limited do not have any negative impact on vulnerable customers.
For the purposes of this policy, vulnerable customers are customers and prospective customers whose ability or circumstances require us to take extra precautions in the way that we conduct business and provide our services to ensure that they are not disadvantaged in any way.
What is a vulnerable customer?
The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) defines a vulnerable customer as "someone who, due to their personal circumstances, is especially susceptible to detriment, particularly when a firm is not acting with appropriate levels of care."
The FCA expects firms like ours to treat customers fairly when we are dealing with people with vulnerable circumstances.
Identifying a vulnerable customer
Our staff are trained to identify vulnerable customers so we can take extra steps to assist outside of our standard procedures. However, it is not always possible to recognise these characteristics. Therefore, if you believe you may fit the criteria for a vulnerable customer, please read this policy and notify us immediately of your particular needs.
Signs we look out for:
• Do they ask us to speak up or speak more slowly?
• Do they understand what we are saying, or do they miss important bits?
• Do they appear confused about what is being offered?
• Do they ask any unrelated questions?
• Do they keep wandering off the point in the discussion and talk about irrelevant things or things that do not make sense?
• Do they keep repeating themselves?
• Do they take a long time to answer questions or say that someone else deals with these things for me?
• Do they have a language barrier?
• Do they say they do not understand their statements, a previous phone conversation or recent written correspondence?
Vulnerability groups
We recognise that certain groups of customers may be vulnerable. Whilst not all customers in these groups may be vulnerable, we will consider a customer's individual circumstances where a potential vulnerability is identified.
These groups may include, but are not restricted to:
• Customers with communication difficulties (including learning difficulties and English not being their first language, dyslexia).
• A customer with a reduction in physical or mental capacity.
• A customer with health issues - illness, whether physical or mental illness, severe or long-term.
• A sudden diagnosis of serious illness to the customer or close family member.
• Personal circumstances of the customer -- factors such as financial difficulties, bereavement, caring responsibilities, or redundancy.
• The customer's age, particularly older and younger people. For example, a younger person may be considered inexperienced and the older person may be less technologically able.
Steps we take if we believe a consumer may be vulnerable:
• We speak slowly, clearly and explain fully.
• We are patient and empathise where appropriate.
• We don't rush, as it may sometimes take the consumer time to get relevant information together, such as account details.
• We keep on the subject under discussion.
• We do not make assumptions about a consumer's needs.
• We clarify understanding at every point and always ask if there is anything else, they would like us to explain.
• We ask the consumer to explain to us what they understand the agreement to be.
• We offer alternative types of communication - phone, post, email, in person.
• We do not make assumptions that the person we are dealing with is sighted, as they may be unable to read or understand serial numbers or account numbers.
• We do not make assumptions that the person we are talking to can hear everything we say as they may have a hearing impairment.
• We always remember that the person we are speaking to may sometimes be forgetful or overly trusting and believe that a sales representative is always acting in their best interest.
• We understand that some people may be lonely and welcome the opportunity just to talk to someone.
• We give the consumer time to explain their circumstances fully and don't interrupt or appear impatient.
• We also listen for what is NOT being said for example lack of questions about price, lack of commitment, timing of responses, and extended silences.
• We always ask if there is a better time to discuss matters, as some people may perform better at different times of the day.
• We ask if there is anyone else they may need to talk to before making the decision.
Training
Customer service team and employees who interact with our customers will have training on how to treat vulnerable people on 29/07/2026 and follow-up training every 3 months. New starters will also have training before interacting with customers, and follow-up training every 3 months
Prior to forming the contract:
• We ensure that yes is a real agreement not just a "giving in".
• We ensure that the consumer demonstrates that they have an understanding of the decision they need to make, why they need to make it and that they understand the consequences of making, or not making that decision.
• We ask if they need to discuss the matter with anyone else, or if they would like us to explain anything else, or if there anything else we can do further to help.
• We are always prepared to repeat anything to clarify understanding.
• We do not assume that they fully understand all the implications of the agreement and explicitly and clearly confirm all the important points.
• We ensure that the consumer is not flustered, agitated or in an emotional state when they make a decision.
• We suggest that they talk it through with someone else and offer to contact them.
when they have had a chance to talk with the 3rd party. If appropriate, we suggest that a third person could be present.
Post Contract:
• If we identify communication needs, we store that information so future communication is handled appropriately.
• We record that we are satisfied that the consumer completely understood everything that was discussed.
• We allow consumers to make a personal declaration about their capabilities or communication needs and store this information.
• Any records that are held are with the full knowledge and consent of the consumer and are deleted when the relationship no longer exists in accordance with the Data Protection Act 2018.
If we identify a person who may need specialist advice, which we are unable to offer:
• We will signpost to the Debt and Mental Health Evidence Form (DMHEF) where appropriate.
We will refer to, or we will seek guidance from, an appropriate organisation such as:
• Samaritans Carers Trust CAB
• Age UK Alzheimer's Society Mind
• StepChange Money Advice Trust MALG
• Macmillan Cancer Support
Sources of guidance we refer to:
• Equality Act 2010
• Mental Capacity Act 2005
• CONC 7.9 Contact with customers (incorporating previous OFT Guidance):
Mental Capacity Guidance
• Irresponsible Lending Guidance Debt Management Guidance
• MALG Consumers with mental health problems & debt MALG 12 steps to treating vulnerable consumers fairly.
Contact Us
To discuss this policy in more detail or to register yourself as a vulnerable customer, please contact us using the information below:
Email – info@atkinandthyme.co.uk
Phone -- 01462 412100
In writing – Atkin and Thyme Ltd, New Inn Road, Baldock, Hertfordshire, SG7 5HG
