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

violetb_2

I would like to ask all those who have noted that Farepak wasn't the best place to put money whether they have been up in arms about endowment misselling? Similar problem, larger scale except with the expectation that there would be money for nothing at the end of it.

There has been so much done about that - maybe the people who have less but can least afford to lose what they were saving for (in some cases) could gain some sympathy and some help.

Sheryl76

susanmc wrote:

i've read on other posts that all shops have stopped taking Choice vouchers today. This is my first year paying into a hamper for vouchers and its with Park. I think its high street vouchers I've ordered. Does anyone know if these are affected? I think Parks a separate company but wasn't sure about the vouchers. Help!!

Different companies used to "sell" Choice vouchers, shops have stopped accepting these Choice vouchers for months. BonusBond (from Farepk) and Love to shop were two types of vouchers which replaced the Choice once.

Sheryl76

Saint_Chris wrote:

I get high street vouchers with a club called variety so are my voucers ok?

I've also got vouchers with variety, was on their website checking out last night, everythin' seems to be okay .............. so far!!!!!!!!!!

trisontana

violetb wrote:

I would like to ask all those who have noted that Farepak wasn't the best place to put money whether they have been up in arms about endowment misselling? Similar problem, larger scale except with the expectation that there would be money for nothing at the end of it.

There has been so much done about that - maybe the people who have less but can least afford to lose what they were saving for (in some cases) could gain some sympathy and some help.

Would this include Martin who has said he would never recommend these hamper schemes?

I think all of us have expressed sympathy for all the people who have lost, but this is supposed to be a money-saving website and these schemes are poor value for money.

Sheryl76

Theboys! wrote:

To say i am gutted is an understatement!
I feel sorry for my poor agent being left to tell everyone and take the flak.

I'm one of these agents who have to tell people ........ it's not nice at all. One of the worst thing was hearing about it on Radio 2 on Monday, and not informed by who ever is in 'control' if you can call it that, of the situation before it was made public. When Choice vouchers went in to administration at the beginning of the year, at least somebody had the decency to let us know before it was made public knowledge, so we could inform friends who bought these vouchers. I know this, people will definetly think twice about ordering vouchers / gifts / hampers next year from ANY company. I will have to think hard if I will still be an agent for Variety!!!!

michjoe

Sheryl76 wrote:

I've also got vouchers with variety, was on their website checking out last night, everythin' seems to be okay .............. so far!!!!!!!!!!

I think all the other Christmas savings companies are also going to lose out as a result of this, I won't trust any of them. I say if it can happen with Farepak just like that who says it won't happen with the rest of them.

zsazsa_3

chrisandrob wrote:

Just been to tell the last of my friends this morning that she is getting no vouchers this year,feel like I've had a kick in the stomach
All my orders are for vouchers ,snobody ordered hampers ,I think a lotof peeps use these companies mainly for the vouchers theses days
never again !!!

Everyone except my neighbour who is 72 and recently widowed ordered vouchers. My 72 year old neighbour had ordered her turkey and grocery hamper and £100 worth of vouchers. It broke my heart telling her what had happened and broke my heart further when she said with tears in her eyes "it is not your fault" - god i know it aint my fault but you dont half feel responsible in some way

I am a single mother of 2 young kids and a student I have lost £400 in vouchers. My parents who are retired lost £200 and my brother (in a wheelchair due to losing leg to cancer) and his wife - they have 2 kids - £400 also :mad:

zsazsa_3

Optimist wrote:

You get in touch with the admistrators, however you will be an unsecured creditor and there are lots of people ahead of you in any claim on the assets of a company in administration. Inland revenue, Staff, Banks etc

After the Enterprise Act 2002 preferential creditors like the inland revenue are now scrapped I believe - mind you there will be 101 and more secured creditors before us :mad:

xxdougiexx

Farepak's majority shareholder Stevan Lloyd Fowler, of Tower House, Kirklees Hall, Clifton, Brighouse, was also the director of another 87 companies.
He has a 58 per cent stake in Farepak, a company started in 1969 by Bob Gilodi Johnson.

So where are you now Mr finger in so many pies Fowler ?????

I am devastated having struggled all year for nothing !!!

zsazsa_3

opaque wrote:

They used to be. Kleeneze and Kitbag were sold off earlier this year, probably to help shore up Farepak.

Actually if you do a search you'll find out Kleeneze and Kitbag were acquired on 13 October (the very day the administration order was issued to Farepak) by Fingel Limited for £34,000,000! They also acquired another 2 subsidiary companies at the same time but did not want Farepak