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Deposit paid for furniture - consumer protection

We put down a deposit on some furniture for a place in Spain about three years ago. The development was delayed and our property is only now ready for completion. I have recently been told that the company we purchased our furniture from is very unstable. They have axed 75 of their 100 staff and closed some showrooms in spain, although we purchased in England. No one seems to answer their telephones - Spain or England. I have heard horror stories of people paying the balance for their package upfront and when/if delivered is not complete, or shoddy workmanship in putting up curtain rails etc. I really do not feel safe in handing over the balance of my order to this company. I'm not too bothered about losing our deposit, as that against the balance is very small. In the companies Terms and Conditions it states 'All exchanges and cancellations are subject to seller approval'. If I cancel my order where do I stand, can they persue me for the balance. This is a case of a company on the brink and I can't find out anything on the internet.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

Natie

Comments

  • scullster
    scullster Posts: 324 Forumite
    a) Was the transaction (deposit) over the counter or by phone / internet - if the latter, read up on Distance Selling Regs - I think (though check with other posters) that you are entitled to cancel and seek a full refund providing the goods are not being custom designed / manufactured.
    b) otherwise, I don't think you have any rights to cancel if you suspect the company is in trouble. If the company was to fold and you paid the desposit by credit card (personally I'd ensure the lot was on the credit card but that matters less these days I believe), you could then claim against the credit card company when the goods are not delivered.
  • phlogeston
    phlogeston Posts: 228 Forumite
    Natie wrote: »
    I'm not too bothered about losing our deposit, as that against the balance is very small. In the companies Terms and Conditions it states 'All exchanges and cancellations are subject to seller approval'. If I cancel my order where do I stand, can they persue me for the balance. This is a case of a company on the brink and I can't find out anything on the internet.

    Pay the balance off on a credit card. This will make the CC company jointly liable for any non-delievery / faults - FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT!

    Therefore, if the funiture company goes belly up, you claim the entire amount from the CC company.

    Yes, it is true. No, I haven't made it up!
  • Natie
    Natie Posts: 2 Newbie
    Thank you both for your replies.

    Phlogeston, someone else suggested this but I was told that if the Credit Card Company found out that there may have been financial issues with the company and I was aware of them, I would not be covered.

    Scullster, the transaction was made in cash person-to-person at their warehouse.

    Thanks again,

    Anita.
  • phlogeston
    phlogeston Posts: 228 Forumite
    Natie wrote: »
    Phlogeston, someone else suggested this but I was told that if the Credit Card Company found out that there may have been financial issues with the company and I was aware of them, I would not be covered.

    That is tosh.

    If they have financial issues, the credit card companies should not be allowing them the facility. If they are allowed a CC facility then the CC company assumes joint liability.
  • scullster
    scullster Posts: 324 Forumite
    phlogeston wrote: »
    Pay the balance off on a credit card. This will make the CC company jointly liable for any non-delievery / faults - FOR THE WHOLE AMOUNT!

    Therefore, if the funiture company goes belly up, you claim the entire amount from the CC company.

    Yes, it is true. No, I haven't made it up!

    Am I right in thinking that the CC company would be liable for the full amount, not just the CC transaction amount - I think it cropped up recently with holiday firms going bust, say for instance you'd paid the deposit on CC, but the balance on debit card or cash, you could make a full recovery for the total from the CC company?
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