Powerhouse Gone Bust.

claire23

Hi All,

Not sure if this thread has been started elsewhere (did search - couldn't see anything)

Anyway a warning to all Powerhouse customers. I read the paper today which said the Scottish stores have all been closed. I hope no-one is going to have serious problems with this as regards orders etc.

(incidentally we bought a product from Comet last year and the salesman informed us then there was a rumour Powerhouse were going bust!)

Claire

*Louise*

Yep - my mum used to work for them, so I got the info from her.

Apparently they didn't even tell the staff in advance - when they got to work they were handed their redundancy cheques and asked to leav through the rear door, where there were 2 Lorries waiting to take away all the stock.

Not sure where people will stand with regards to garantees, etc....

pavlovs_dog

our local was closed "for a stock check", so it doesnt bode well!

BFG_2

If you've paid for and not yet recieved your goods (and if indeed they have gone bust) then you may or may not get your money back.

If you paid cash - wave goodbye to your money, it's gone
If you paid on CC - reclaim money from CC provider under Section 75 (of Consumer Credit Act 1975??)

This is the MAIN reason why you should always use a cc for purchases over £100 - this protection is excellent, especially if buying stuff with a long leadtime (sofas, carpets, some electricals).

stugib

Just did a search on Google News and found this: http://tiny url.com/8pkuk which says they had a 39% decline in sales in the last quarter of last year but posted good Xmas sales. They've identified 31 loss making stores, 3 of which they've closed already, though that now looks to have been updated in other reports (http://tiny url.com/d2lel) which say they've closed all 31 of their 'discount' stores, which included all the Scottish ones. They've now got 53 left out of the 139 they had in 2003.

But they haven't gone bust and they seem to be making positive noises about their remaining stores, though there never seems to be anyone in them when I've been past several of them around the country.

You might have a long drive to take things back if you're in Scotland though



P.S. If you want to see the articles remove the space in 'tiny url' - they're safe, honest! I'm not going to post long, wrapping URLs.

Fondue_2

Thanks for that stugib. I bought a cooker from them in the Xmas sales (stupidly on my debit card) and thought I was going to have to write off £520! That's quite a relief...

Fondue_2

Quick update - have just spoken to Powerhouse. The Stockport store (where I bought my cooker) ceased trading on Weds so they have to re-order from the manufacturer for delivery but they are honouring orders. Presume the same will apply to warranties, etc.

Ed_Stirling

'Powerhouse' seem to be famous for this... They went bust in 2004 - a convenient way of getting rid of debt and any customer responsibility - and soon relaunched as New Powerhouse... more recently becoming Powerhouse again. Maybe different owners but same 'ineffective' management seemingly!

I got caught out on a 18 month old Servis washing machine which died on me (another story of !!!!!! poor customer service). Money down the drain, with no comeback...

Beware...! And when Powerhouse comes back to life in a few months, don't say I didn't warn you! Serial administration fodder!

trickytrolleys

Ed_Stirling wrote:

'Powerhouse' seem to be famous for this... They went bust in 2004 - a convenient way of getting rid of debt and any customer responsibility - and soon relaunched as New Powerhouse... more recently becoming Powerhouse again. Maybe different owners but same 'ineffective' management seemingly!

I got caught out on a 18 month old Servis washing machine which died on me (another story of !!!!!! poor customer service). Money down the drain, with no comeback...

Beware...! And when Powerhouse comes back to life in a few months, don't say I didn't warn you! Serial administration fodder!

Thank you! For a minute there I thought I was going mad as I was sure Powerhouse went bust years ago!

ManAtHome

And Time/Tiny computers as well - heard their main warehouse was trading again...

Fondue - if your debit card is a VISA one, you get similar protection to CC (contact your provider).

withabix

They went bust and were bought off the administrators by another company.

They aren't much cop - came bottom in Watchdog's best/worst high street shops this week didn't they?