Park Hampers? Safe or not?

Michelle3366

I would also like to save with Park but abit scared. If I paid monthly with my tescos credit card on line if anything should happen to Park would I be able to claim the money back?

Iamstressed

Michelle3366 wrote: »

I would also like to save with Park but abit scared. If I paid monthly with my tescos credit card on line if anything should happen to Park would I be able to claim the money back?

Very Safe!

• CODE OF PRACTICE.

http://www.getpark.co.uk/AgencyOnlineWeb/getting-started/member-of-cpa.jsp

Declaration of Trust has been designed to increase protection for customers' prepayments in the event of Park Group going into administration or liquidation before the customers have received the products they have paid for.
http://www.getpark.co.uk/AgencyOnlin...st-summary.jsp

mpazza

Park made it through the last recession in the 80s probably one of the few big employers left in Birkenhead during those Boys from the Black Stuff years! Mind you we had YTS then so most of the employees were on £35 a week!

DCFC79

zenseeker wrote: »

I think, on balance, that I will consider setting up a bank account and saving in there, I'll just have to try to control myself and not draw out any cash throughout the year. It's a shame that you can't set up an account with a kind of lock on it so that you cannot draw any cash from it until a certain date.

that was my idea i posted on the first page, i personally dont use park and i dont think i will,

ikkle87

Zen can you not get an advance notice account. My nan has one for her xmas savings and she has to give a weeks notice before she can go in branch and withdraw money x

MCGONIS

Hi. I had lost £450 when Farepak failed. I sent a cheque each month for £50 when the statement arrived. However on two paticular months I phoned and paid £50 with my Visa Debit Card. I was refunded the two card payments by my bank under a chargeback scheme that protects visa cardholders. So I just wished I had used my card every month. That has put me off writing cheques forever! Anyway, some people like/rely on these hamper companies, others don't. If you feel you need to use them, just always pay by visa card if you can. It's an extra level of protection should anything go wrong before you get your goods/vouchers. Hope that helps!

RHemmings

Iamstressed wrote: »

Very Safe!

• CODE OF PRACTICE.

http://www.getpark.co.uk/AgencyOnlineWeb/getting-started/member-of-cpa.jsp

Declaration of Trust has been designed to increase protection for customers' prepayments in the event of Park Group going into administration or liquidation before the customers have received the products they have paid for.
http://www.getpark.co.uk/AgencyOnlin...st-summary.jsp

I'm not so sure. While two of the three directors of the trustee company are independent of Park, presumably it's Park that appointed them. And look at this:

This means that the level of protection for customers is likely to vary at different times of the year.

and

If the company ceases to operate its business for any reason or goes into administration or liquidation, the available trust funds will be returned to the customers by the trustee subject only to the payment of specified administration costs.

What are these administration costs? It doesn't say.

And there's also no guarantee that I can see that if the company goes into administration that you'll get your remaining money refunded before Christmas.

Looking at their catalogue, the prices seem very high. For example, an Encore electric guitar package is £139.

http://www.getpark.co.uk/AgencyOnlineWeb/catalogue/C11/5155/Audio-Visual/Guitar---Encore-Electric-Guitar-Package.item

Yet, here it's only £109.

http://www.guitarbitz.com/encore_guitars.htm

A Yamaha keyboard is £149.99

http://www.getpark.co.uk/AgencyOnlineWeb/catalogue/C11/5153/Audio-Visual/Keyboard---Yamaha.item

But, here it's only £116 + £9.99 postage http://www.rockingrooster.co.uk/product_info.php?PID=1736

Generally the whole thing looks a bad idea to me. If there was a government backed scheme, and a guarantee that you'll get your money back in full before Christmas, then that wouldn't be so bad. But as it is, I don't think it's a good idea.

I think the idea of depositing money in an account with a relative holding the bankcard is a better one.

Nisamy

I orderd a hamper and a lap top form Park Hampers. I was paying money to an agent who WASNT paying it to Park Hamper. Park Hampers tell me that its nothing to do with them. They are just the supplier of the goods, the agreement i signed is between me and the agent, not me and Park Hampers. They have contacted the agent and have told me that they have cancelled my order and i will recieve vouchers for (only) the money that has been paid in. . They didnt tell me how much or when i will recieve them. Also i think they might send them to the agent to pass on. Hang on, shes already stole my money so now they are going to give her the vouchers. . Apart from that i didnt pay money for vouchers so im contacting Office of Fair Trading for help. . Just letting you know that if the agent robs your money then PArk Hampers will wash their hands on you

Nisamy

I phoned Park Hamper today pretending to enquire about being a new customer. I asked them if i pay money to an agent and it gets stolen do they (Park Hampers) compensate me ? They said "no ! Its between you and the agent, the agent is self-employed, we only provide the goods". So i said "Great, sign me up and ill get a few orders and rob the money" he said "I wouldnt do that if i was you". I said "well why not ? because you wont do anything about it !!!". . . Stay clear is my advice !!!