Farepak in administration: What to do? (Merged Thread)

burbs_2

max06 wrote:

Did M & S and Debenhams not wonder why no orders had been placed, I would have thought that as it would have been a huge order that both companies would have sales people calling farepak and encouraging them to take their vouchers and asking why none had been bought so far.

If this is the case why did they not raise the alarm!

In all honesty it is not M&S or Debenhams problem or place to raise the alarm. They would have probably have been a bit miffed but doubt they felt the need to dig deeper into Farepak.

All this is very unfair to all those who have lost money and there seems to be a few skeletons in the cupboard but i do think a lot of "facts" stated are hearsay and gossip rather than hard fact. I think it will be a long while until the full truth and extent of this disgusting episode is known.

catznine

This is shocking news! Years ago when my kids were small I used to save with a hamper company as it saved me a lot of time and hassle and guaranteed some food in the house! They didn't do vouchers then just food and drink. I no longer do this mainly because I am on a special diet for health reasons but my heart goes out to all of you who have been affected by this cruel blow so close to Christmas.

I feel especially saddened for the agents who are getting the flack for someone elses negligence! Please don't be so hard on yourselves, you have been hurt by this too and I am sure most people realise that.

I know I would also be devastated if it had happened to me and I feel a lump in my throat thinking about you all. All I can do is send virtual (((((Hugs)))) and positive thoughts that this mess can be sorted out for you.

My Mum used to say that Christmas comes around whether you are ready and have money for it or not, it is time with the people you love that matters. She often had very little money but used to buy an extra tin or two for the Christmas shelf each week. The best Christmas I remember as a kid was a most unlikely one where my Dad had not been paid due to an admin error at work. We had to go stay with my Grandparents as Mum and Dad couldn't even afford the heating but everything was home made with love and care (all the decorations, food and pressies which were mainly hand knitted scarves :rolleyes: ) We played card games and charades etc and Mum was so pleased and surprised when I let her know years later that this was the Christmas I most remembered and enjoyed.

Catz x

toozie_2

Firstly can I point out the reason why I became a Farepak agent 15 years ago, this may help the one or two on here who don't understand the concept. I was a stay at home mum of 2 girls under 2, husband on a low wage, mortgage to pay etc. Remember 15 years ago, there was NO benefits for low wage earners. I tried to do all sorts of small things to bring money in, one becoming a Farepak agent, friends in the same situation saved for vouchers with me, and I got some commission at Xmas, which I counted on to help buy presents. As I my circumstances got better, started a part time job, I continued with farepak as my customers were happy.

One of my customers is a single mum of 3 young kids, her ex husband has gone to live overseas in order NOT to pay maintainance, she has no parents or immediate family. She struggles from week to week, and is also paying off debts her husband left her with. Now imagine, she'd been saving for Xmas in a special bank account and the washing machine dies, the Xmas savings are the only avalable monies. What does she do? Dip into this account, so she can wash the kids clothes, hoping to pay back later in the year before Xmas...which would be nearly impossible for her. Now I have managed to lose £500 for her through Farepak, and boy do I feel SICK, can't sleep, keep thinking its not true, and totally responsable that I took her money and the money of 6 other customers-who are all my friends, and literally threw it down a drain.....or into the pockets of the directors, who may be sitting on a sunny beach in the Carrrabean as we speak, just to get away so they don't have to listen to the flack. My friend and single mum of 3 hasn't had a holiday in 4 years, and even then it was just a camping holiday.
She just keeps telling me its not my fault, which I know, but I still blame myself. her attitude has been that she's healthy, her kids are all lovely ,happy, and well, and they have a roof over their heads, coats on their backs and food on the table, so not to worry-when she tells me this, I cry even more.

I have lost £450 myself, but if I could get my customers money back, I'd gladly lose mine forever. If we ever have something from the administrators, my share I will divide between my customers/friends. My 15 year old youngest daughter "kevin at times" has said without prompting that she wants less for Xmas, and her birthday soon after, and her and her sister have decided not to buy each other an Xmas pressie but buy me a bigger one instead with their own Saturday job money. Boy, did I cry again, I'd far rather have nothing.

I'm glad I got that off my chest, off to watch GMTV now, believe there will be quite a bit more coverage again today.

(((((((((((HUGS TO ALL WHO HAVE LOST MONEY)))))))))))))))))))

Tildy_2

anyone just seeen GMTV a guy on from HITA and they first knew of their financial difficulties back in June then could not produce their accounts on time in August. Also said at the time he did not think the public had a right to know.
Well yes we did, all our money has been lost if that stupid man acted earlier a lot of heartache would have been saved. I bet he has a good christmas not like the rest of us. I am contacting HITA now to air my point.

Theboys!

I have just seen it on GMTV and i am sure someone mentioned ring fencing?
Not sure if i've got that right! can anyone tell me what it means?
Thanks.

Dumyat

ring fencing is when assets or money are protected in some way. I think they were saying surely the money payed in by customers should not have been involved in the rest of the businesses. ie it should just have been held "safe"

I've heard the term used in company pension schemes where the money paid in was actually "used" by the company and not held safe.(as in the famous Maxwell pension scam)

Smashing

Theboys! wrote:

I have just seen it on GMTV and i am sure someone mentioned ring fencing?
Not sure if i've got that right! can anyone tell me what it means?
Thanks.

It's when a certain amount of money is isolated and protected from any outside risk.

Theboys!

dogrose wrote:

ring fencing is when assets or money are protected in some way. I think they were saying surely the money payed in by customers should not have been involved in the rest of the businesses. ie it should just have been held "safe"

I've heard the term used in company pension schemes where the money paid in was actually "used" by the company and not held safe.(as in the famous Maxwell pension scam)

Thanks both of you for answering that for me

sandhabibi

I too am an agent but still had my own order, Monday was a hard day dealing with the fact my xmas was ruined and then having to go inform my customers too.Still now I'm feeling sick about it.They all realise it is not my fault but as previous posters have said you feel responsible as they were paying you the money.
As for the people that say should have used a saving account, If I had done this my balance would also now stand at £0.00 as I've struggled this yr with paying for extra costs like car going wrong, washing machine breaking etc, it's too easy to withdraw savings money. If a member of yr family got knocked down in the street would you turn around and say they shouldn't have been in the street?! I think not.
Those of us effected which is in the high 10000's be strong.
Gmtv in a few minutes is talking on subject again.

michjoe

Imagine if it was us that owed Farepak money, it would be a different story then wouldn't it. The MD's with £2million homes that were just shown on GMTV should be made to sell those off right away. All I can say is they can run but they can't hide forever!!!