HELP! I think I've been ripped off.

astralbee

Washing machine broke, I'm short on cash, so I went for the cheapest machine that KELKOO found for me. I've used Kelkoo loads of times at the recommendation of MSE and always found reputable companies.

I used my debit card - please don't remind me that it is best to use credit cards for internet purchases, I know, that was stupid, but I cut up all my credit cards so I don't have one. Anyway, the amount I authorised was £175 but two days ago I found they took £250, and still no washing machine.

I emailed their customer services who said that they would tell their finance dept. and that the machine would be delivered in a week.

Today I get an email which basically says that the company (domesticappliancesdirect) has had its assets seized by its bank and cannot fulfill any orders. Their bank has told them regarding refunds that customers should contact their own banks. I called my bank (Natwest) and they said there is nothing that they can do. I thought that surely the fact they took more than the amount I authorised constituted fraud and they could act, but Natwest say that once you give your card details you enter an agreement for them to debit any amount!

Where do I go from here? There's a good reason I don't have any credit cards. I can't afford to lose £250.

AB

Proc

astralbee wrote: »

There's a good reason I don't have any credit cards. I can't afford to lose £250.

Oh the irony.

I guess you would need to contact the creditors and see if they can issue a refund.

astralbee

Some posts later than mine have had dozens of replies so I'm quite sad that nobody has any really solid advice for me.

I tried calling CAB, but their phones are just busy all the time. I've emailed them and got an auto-reply that says they may take up to 4 days to get back to me. I know they are a charity and all, but its a bit rubbish when the only organization that might be able to help me takes longer to reply than a dodgy business that may be in receivership.

I should just add that the reason I don't have any credit cards is not because I can't get credit. I am debt free, unless you count my mortgage which has never ever been late. I just hate credit cards and as soon as I paid them all off about 2 years ago I cut them up and vowed never to use one again. I can see I will have to rethink that if I am to do any online shopping in the future.

Well seeing as I have been good enough to warn you good moneysavers about dealing with Meifang Chen Limited trading as domesticappliancedirect.co.uk, is there anybody who has been through similar that can advice me on the likelihood of getting a refund?

AB

NeverInDebt

If you did pay by debit card and it was Visa only you are covered

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/7593369.stm

A Visa debit card offers significantly better protection for shoppers. Their scheme is called Visa Debit Chargeback and any bank that issues a Visa debit card has to comply with the scheme.
You can claim money back if the goods you buy are damaged, or the product or services are not delivered.
There is no limit on what you can claim. But you have to claim within 120 days of the date you expected the goods to be delivered or the firm going bust.

Optimist

You are not alone there seems to be a lot of complaints about this company on the internet.

I note the message about the bank seizing their assets is on their website http://domesticappliancedirect.co.uk/

I'm assuming it means they have been forced into administration.. I would contact them for the address of their administrators as you are now a creditor.

You can as previously suggested try the cashback route assuming your card is a Visa one. If it it Maestro the rules are not as broad.

Good luck

MYLITTLESISTERLOLA

I would ask your bank to try a chargeback as you have not received any goods ( I'm quite surprised they haven't suggested it )
Have you tried consumer credit counsel ( I got advise from them when Land of Leather went bust )
Don't apologize for not having a credit card, I'm sure more poeple wish they didn't have cards ( with massive balances ) Live and learn
HTH
MLSL

Amistoso_2

I'm really sorry your having trouble getting a refund,
I had a bit of a drama with this company last year, I also found them on Kelkoo and ordered a dishwasher and an oven, money for both was taken from my CC straight away then nothing was forthcoming, I called and e-mailed them and was told that they do not deliver to my area!!! had I not contacted them then they would still have my money and I would still be without my appliances. It took me about 3 weeks to finaly get them to agree to refund my cash and then another 10 or so days for the money to appear back in my account. Not surprised they have gone bust with customer service like that!!
I wouls also request a chargeback from your bank, I think it may be your only chance of getting your cash back if they have gone into administration.

grayc_2

Hi there

Warning to all

There is evidence that fraudulent card transactions are being made in relation to this company.
My partner ordered a hoover from this company a month ago, which never arrived despite payment without any explanation other than an email stating 'processing'.
Her account was accessed and a further £599 withdrawn without her knowledge or consent.
I have researched some on the web and despite the company claiming going into administration their website is still up and running and i have come across numerous cases of other customers this september 09 experiencing unauthorised and fraudelent use of the card they used for payment.

1. Check your bank statements carefully and report immediately anything strange on your account
2. Inform friends and shopping search engine websites that the company is ripping people off
3. try to get a refund from your bank / credit card
4. Also i question the integrity / security of their sister website authorising card transactions
5. report the company to trading standards, as some have already done. There is weight in numbers

good luck!

gray