bebe-amor, I paid for pram, never received, no answer

The_Hobbits

We ordered £1,600.00 of nursery funiture on the 6 Jan 09 and have unfortunately suffered like so many others. After weeks of frustration we were assured by one of the managers just last week that all would be resolved today. On looking at the website this morning it states that Bebe-Amor has now gone into liquidation.

If you are still awaiting contact the details are below.

The Liquidators are going into the warehouse this morning to assesss if anything can be retrieved and will be given out on a priority basis.

XL Business

Tel: 01274 870101
email: [EMAIL="rebecca@xlbs.co.uk"]rebecca@xlbs.co.uk[/EMAIL]

GOOD LUCK

angela_m_3

I have just spoken to the liquidators XL Business who haven't even been officially appointed yet! I can't believe that I've lost my money, I paid by debit card at the end of last week, I was completely unaware that anyone was having problems with this company. My bank didn't seem at all optimistic that I will receive my money back, it's disgusting what Bebe Amor have done, to pregnant women as well.... as if we haven't got it tough enough already.

andyj2

Just emailed the Liquidators with the details of my order.

They are going into Bebe Amor today, to conduct a full stock check, and they will then be able to see if they can 'satisfy' any outstanding orders from the stock.

If not, we will be added to the Creditors list....... which basically means you'll be lucky to get anything out of them.....

Jen-Spencer

S12MJA wrote: »

I've just put it down to experience and will never ever buy anything on my debit card again. I will always use a credit card in future.
Fortunately, we've only lost £240, it could have been a lot worse. I have just re-ordered the items I wanted from Mothercare, never again will I deal with small web based traders, I'll only ever use large multiple retailers in future. (at least you hear when they're about to run into trouble)
I only hope Mr Green (Who was a director with bebe amor) and runs 2 other companies, has lost all of his other business interests too, because frankly, the way he has carried on, is nothing much short of theft.
Somehow I doubt he will have to pay much at all, and he'll carry on trading under some other name, ripping many others off too.

I so feel for everyone who has had the hassle from this awful so called company. On the credit check facility, Steve Green is showing as the only director now, the other two have been taken off, so it just shows they knew what they was ALL upto! Nothing short of daylight robbery!

Fingers crossed for you all trying to sort out your orders

SUZY84

I too have been done! made payment of £250 on the 13/02/09 - for Loola pram & carseat!!! Did not arrive - tried calling all week but no answer. I paid on debit card covered by VISA - contacted bank and hoping to make claim!!!! Also emailed liquidators details of order and keeping fingers crossed - nothing more we can do! Totally gutted - baby due very soon - by trying to save a couple of pounds its ended up costing double!!!! keep forum posted if anyone gets any luck!

hollydays

S12MJA wrote: »

Basic business accumen and an ability to deal with customers and suppliers, surely thats a winning combination?
However, taking money, not sending goods and then not answering the phone nor replying to emails isn't ever going to be part of a succesful business plan is it?

But getting the stock on time and having the money to pay the suppliers is the issue.

Not answering calls is apparently what most businesses do when they start to get into trouble.

As for business acumen-well rbs don't have that do they..

marcandal

S12MJA wrote: »

It has made me realise there is an opening for a web based store selling items at a reasonable price but with great customer service too.
Two left feet seem attrocius too, are there any good independent baby stuff retailers out there?

www.theinternetbabyshop.co.uk

KelKerris

I guess the only lucky thing we did was order via Bebe Amor's Amazon.co.uk storefront. Amazon are being a real pain -- only when they don't deliver or answer my emails by the stated delivery date on their screens can they do anything -- at least there is a protection and guarantee via Amazon for customers who bought that way. It will take a while, but I am confident the money will get back to me somehow.

But what about people who bought directly from Bebe Amor? How on earth can it be legal to take money from people just hours prior to going into liquidation (which is what happened to us -- we ordered + 7 hrs later they were out of business), and they knew they could neither fill the order nor return the money?! How is that legal?

walter_scott

It is very sad indeed to read of the unhappy experiences of these unfortunate customers and it brings the nursery trade and on line retailing in to disrepute. The people who allow this to happen (apart from the shop proprietors and they way they run their business ) are the major UK nursery brands, Mamas & Papas , Maclaren , Dorel, Silver Cross etc and many other trade major suppliers all household names. They have all recently (or are in the process of doing so) banned sales of their new products on what they call "third party "web sites ie Ebay and Amazon..Those people who continue to stock their products on these sites have their accounts closed. They site all sorts of spurious reasons for this action - lack of security, returns policy, payment methods etc. But you can have all the payment security in the world (whats wrong with Paypal) but if someone is selling goods he cant provide or doesn't have then you still lose your money!
In fact the safest way for consumers to buy new goods is through an established business via for example Ebay who have a clearly defined policy through their payment system Paypal if goods do not arrive, are faulty or not as described and all Ebay shops have to have a returns policy on the sales page. Paypal will act and take back payments from sellers unless they meet the clearly defined criteria and they take the purchasers problems most seriously. The action of these household brands in stopping third party sites does absolutely nothing to help the consumer but only helps the companies and their own ability to maintain prices and distribution methods to suit themselves - its certainly not done to protect the customer.
One only had to look at BBC 1 on Monday March 2nd when the Watchdog programme reported on the countless problems people have experienced with "Two Left Feet" - enough said. What could clearly be shown in the back ground but various displays from Mamas & Papas a company who orders there staff to go to this store to work there merchandising at weekends!! No sign of protecting the customers interests but many protecting M&P's own commercial interests. The directors of M&P obviously don't either watch Watchdog or choose to ignore what is said about one of their major retail/internet outlets that they are happy to supply, promote and endorse by supplying their own personnel to! .It is also worthwhile noting that all adverse comments about Two Left Feet no longer appear on various consumer blogs (including this one ) as TFL have had them removed saying they are written by there competitors not unhappy customers- yet you only had to see the TV programme to realise that there are very many unhappy customers.
Be assured the "anti third part site" action by these major companies in the nursery trade works against the consumers interests both by maintaining prices, defining distribution methods and deciding how, where, when and at what price goods are sold. One of those companies banning Ebay sales continues to list goods on Ebay themselves saying that their listings are all returns, seconds or display goods oh yes pull the other one!! Until these major companies deal with the real problems in the nursery trade rather than playing lip service to it and return to allowing their goods to be sold openly in a free market there will continue to be problems. I doubt this unhappy experience with Bebe Amore will be the last. Caveat emptor as the saying goes let the buyer beware.

Ivory_Tinkler

Sorry Walter, have to disagree with you about ebay. There are too many rogues willing to take your money and run on there. For small items and second hand stuff it's quite good but for expensive items, I really don't feel safe in parting with my money on there. I'm guessing from your post that you have been affected by these rules from the manufacturers?

It doesn't matter where you shop at the moment, be it online or bricks and mortar, with the amount of businesses going bust there will be others that lose their money and not just on nursery equipment.