Lapland New Forest Scam. How to get money back...

whitewing

Edna,

I wonder if MSE Martin would be able to send out an email? (It is his forum after all).

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ATTENTION PLEASE! Added mid-Jan 2009: Just as a reminder, the latest Lapland New Forest Refund Guide is here:

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?p=17633351#post17633351

EdnaCloud

Whitewing:- good idea - anyone know his personal email addie?

I also think contacting local and national press is worthwhile, it may or may not be effective but after all it will only take a few minutes of our time.

Edna, off to email all and sundry.

GomerPyle

I don't think any of us disagree EdnaCloud. We just have our own views and comments to add to the discussion and thread.

It's amazing to think that a major UK city can be run like some US hick town with a family having such an all pervading detrimental effect, but I imagine that their fortunes are going to face a downturn as they are exposed as a liability to the honest citizens and traders - and on that point it is interesting that no traders or contractors have joined the discussion, as I imagine that many of them will be losing money over this too.

I do recall, by the way, that one employment agency mentioned that they had had the foresight to get the salaries paid up front. Strange that a small company can see what's coming and a major bank can't.

I have posted comments on a couple of newspaper sites and will do so in many more places on the web. One person responded that I was giving financial advice, but that's tosh, I was just pointing out a right people had which was supported by the FSA - regulatory body to all UK Financial Institutions.

This is the end game and last chance for people to get what they are owed. If the authorities wish to sweep the matter under the carpet, so be it, but our intent would be to only allow that to happen after everyone has had their money back.

I know the FOS procedures, and I can put in complaints on people's behalves and it won't cost anything. It'll take work and effort by both of us but I'm prepared to do it once people have gone through all the correct procedures and we can guide people through them too - but time is running out.

Each complaint costs the company money and they'll have to hire a solicitor to handle technical banking arguments. There's no guarantee of success, but even if I can't win an argument, I like to give opponents a 'bloody nose'.

This company failed as a result of being a one product provider that failed to provide what it advertised, and in spite of wild accusations of media lies, they never took any legal action in support of that ridiculous contention, because they knew it was rubbish. Victor Mears has effectively walked away from the company as it had only one function for him - to pour money into his pocket. If it is left failing to operate in any normal sense like a company, this becomes immediately apparent.

EdnaCloud

GomerPyle wrote: »

I don't think any of us disagree EdnaCloud. We just have our own views and comments to add to the discussion and thread.

Indeed, I just hope we are helping some as there seem to be very few people posting now...

It's amazing to think that a major UK city can be run like some US hick town with a family having such an all pervading detrimental effect,

Sadly I do not think this is unusual - I live in major town and a huge amount of the business is run or controlled by one extended family - and they are 'travellers', it is appalling and a sort of local cosa nostra ring.

but I imagine that their fortunes are going to face a downturn as they are exposed as a liability to the honest citizens and traders - and on that point it is interesting that no traders or contractors have joined the discussion, as I imagine that many of them will be losing money over this too.

well we cannot say for sure they have not, or may have been lurking, but it would have been good to have their input. Ho hum.

I do recall, by the way, that one employment agency mentioned that they had had the foresight to get the salaries paid up front. Strange that a small company can see what's coming and a major bank can't.

I am still flabbergasted that the bank ever entertained this, I have traded for years with nary a complaint but even trying to get credit card acceptance is hard, new bank accounts are a no-no and online payment procesors want (justifiably) a load of documentation before accepting an account, how in hell did this happen?

I have posted comments on a couple of newspaper sites and will do so in many more places on the web.

Good on you, so will I.

This is the end game and last chance for people to get what they are owed.

So we have to 'go for it'.

I do hope claimants are still watching this thread - if so please come out of the woodwork and lend your support and most importantly get those claims in!

rgds
Edna

spark0101

Hi All

Just to let you know I sent a letter using the temp plate letter from this web site to Barclay visa on the 4 December, and today received a reply saying my £100 has been credited to my account

Regards Mark the Spark

EdnaCloud

Good for you, Mark, :T

I'm pleased for you and hope anyone who hasn't already done so follows your example!

rgds
Edna

spark0101

Hi

Thanks Edna

I sent my letter direct to my local Barclay, but the direct address for Barclay visa is DEBIT CARD SERVICES, Northampton NH4 7SG (DIRECT LINE No 0870 010 4503) Hope this is some help

Regards Mark the Spark

GomerPyle

Congratulations spark0101

Every penny you get back, means that Victor has to stump up a little more of his own cash to pay HM Revenue and Customs. I bet they're looking forward to a bumper pay out.

If I'm correct he has one month from the end of the quarter to get his VAT return lodged or they'll start levying fines. It's a matter of record that he has an accountant, so there'll be plenty of money set aside to settle the bill. His bank will have details.

CazandCo_2

Hi all,

Sorry for the delay in writing. Lots going on at the moment.

Here’s an update on our situation. To recap, I am writing on behalf of my mum who bought eight tickets (two family group bookings) to Lapland Newforest on her Halifax Credit Card.

Mum wrote a letter to Halifax enclosing the tickets on the 16th December. Since then she has not received any written correspondance from them, but has spoken to them on the telephone. The have stated that it can take 6-8 weeks to process it and they also said that the fact that Lapland have gone into Liquidation will not affect her particular claim.
She has not paid anything yet. The amount still shows on her statements, but says “Dispute Amount”. No charges will be made while it is like that.
Mum will phone the Halifax again next week for another update and to encourage them to move it along!

Am i right in assuming that people that used Credit Cards should still be ok to receive a full refund even though Lapland Newforest is now in liquidation?

GomerPyle

The liquidation of the company doesn't affect you one jot.

No bank (or their subsidiary) provides a merchant account to anyone they don't feel is up to the task because, the situation is that if they are incompetent, useless or scammers, the bank is putting itself at risk.

It doesn't matter if the company vapourises, Streamline have effectively guaranteed their obligations. This is not a legal definition of the situation, but emphasises that no bank or financial institution should provide this type of facility to an unreliable company. What possessed them ?

When the liquidators step in they may take a different view, however they are left sitting in the mess that Victor Mears has created for them, and will hardly be in a stronger position to refute claims. That's why I have offered to assist people.

I seem to recall that there are time limits on these things CazandCo and that if your bank don't get a prompt reply they can take it that your claim is accepted. Let me look it up and get back to you.

There is no need for anyone to get angry. These rules are laid down to protect the consumer. Once you indicate that you know them - it'll ease things along.