Virgo Healthcare Nottingham - on Watchdog

ston27

my brother ordered a shower commode on 9/11/2010,he gave the salesman a cheque for 470 pounds,they cashed the cheque on the 12/11/2010,he also gave him a voucher for 5 pounds.the salesman was a big fat bloke.A week later my brother get letter thanking him for order and he would get the commode in two to three weeks,3 weeks later got a phone call saying they would deliver the commode the next day. next day arrived no delivery rang them up they it was damaged so they would have order another one from germany.so we waited rung them in january 2011 they had be sent the wrong one from germany so they had to order another one.we waited till march 2011 we rung them they said they were having a delivery on march 21/3/11.so we rung them on the 24/3/2011 no reply.rung them about twenty times on 25/3/2011 no reply,rung 28/3 no reply.rung again today 29/3 a message says this number is unavailable.what should we do now:mad:

ston27

was the salesman a big fat bloke

trumpton

Hi Ston 27 - you need to contact Trading Standards through the Consumer Direct website:

Call an adviser for help or advice: 08454 04 05 06
8am to 6.30pm.

My advice would be to tell them that you wish to cancel the order and want a refund. Ask Trading Standards to pursue the refund for you.

Hayes7888

Just to update you all -

A BBC Radio consumer show has been investigating this for me.

It appears, after them contacting Trading Standards and also Derbyshire police - The company has vanished from their premises and have also cleared out their warehouse.


The last time I managed to get hold of them was 23rd March but since then, nothing.

I have been informed by the BBC that their are customers owed thousands of pounds by this company.

I have the salesmans name if anyone would like to know - It seems it could be the same person.

I will see if I can upload the Radio show to the net so I can share it with you.

Cheers,

Pablo_Oplywiss

Pablo_Oplywiss wrote: »

My in-laws have been duped for a substantial 5 figure sum for a bathroom by Lifestyle which is never going to happen. Tomorrow is the 12 week anniversary of signing the deal, so we already have various bodies on their case.

Our suspicions were aroused the day we were passing their place - the guy doing the measurements was days late, & got there in the dark with his dolly bird in his van.

Watch this space.

As per the last post, I've been chasing for 2-3 weeks now hearing empty promises from 1 particular individual. With PC Ensor's advice, I've been diplomatic & constructive, but on calling again this morning the line is dead. There is no protection here for the vulnrable consumer like my 80's blind & disabled in-laws.

trumpton

Time and time again the same people are setting up companies, targetting the elderly with these pressure-selling scams. They fold then start again. It really is time that these matters were treated as criminal fraud rather than breaches of consumer law. Absolutely shameful in my opinion that we do not protect the elderly from these serial criminals.

Wardy1

Looks like Lifestyle Long Eaton have moved their activities into Warwickshire. My 84 year old mother bought a stairlift, grab rail and a lifeline alarm for £1500. They said the stairlift was one that was incorrectly made and was sitting in their warehouse, delivery would be around 4 weeks. April 1st was the monthly date and when she tried to ring them got the message "This number is not available". We are about to contact Trading Standards as to what we can do.

Wardy1

Just to let everyone know the Sales Rep's "name" was MARK SPAIN. BEWARE OF THIS MAN HE IS DESPICABLE

judith029

just discovered that my 80 year old parents have been conned out of £500 for a customized chair.I am so angry that their trust should be abused and their confidence knocked in such a heartless way.my dad is going to check with his bank to see if the cheque has been cashed but as it 3 weeks ago that they made their order i don't think he will be lucky. i will be contacting trading standards asap.

Pablo_Oplywiss

Pablo_Oplywiss wrote: »

As per the last post, I've been chasing for 2-3 weeks now hearing empty promises from 1 particular individual. With PC Ensor's advice, I've been diplomatic & constructive, but on calling again this morning the line is dead. There is no protection here for the vulnrable consumer like my 80's blind & disabled in-laws.

Update. Consumer Direct advised me to send a recorded letter citing breach of contract. Letter arrived back intact this morning marked 'addressee has gone away'. In-Law's bank less than sympathetic in attempt to freeze interest on cash they borrowed to pay for this.

Next step I believe is the small claims court - if the owners of the business have gone AWOL I can see what joy this will bring. In my opinion it's a criminal matter in theft, as they had no intent on delivering.

It's possible I've tracked one of the individuals down to his golf club, which could be a fun day out! Seriously, I'm sure some of the consumer rights programmes will be interested in this.