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Xavier Footwear Limited - in liquidation
GraceCourt
Posts: 335 Forumite
Just a note to warn any potential customers of Xavier Footwear Limited, of 3a Tardebigge Court, Hewell Lane, Redditch B97 6QW, that it has gone into voluntary liquidation. We do not know whether there are any assets.
This is very unfortunate for my 86-year-old mother-in-law, who commenced County Court proceedings against this company in November, to try to recover over £900 in respect of the money that she paid for orthopaedic shoes ordered from them in November 2009, which were originally supposed only to take a few months to produce. The hearing was listed at the Court for 4 April 2011.
She paid nearly £200 for a cast of her feet for a "custom last" for the production of these shoes, and afterwards attended three additional fitting sessions, at each of which the shoes were found to be several sizes too big. On every occasion the shoemaker, David Xavier, undertook to alter the shoes accordingly, but the shoes were still the same (far too big) size each time, and were eventually delivered by post in August 2010 - nine months later! - and still several sizes too big.
The shoes are completely unusable as they don't stay on her feet, and David Xavier refused to make a refund, offering (yet again) to adjust them to fit, which of course in the circumstances was unacceptable.
She has difficulty walking even without the shoes, and is the full-time carer for her 87-year-old husband, who has vascular dementia. In one sense, it's just as well that the company has ceased trading, as hopefully it means that David Xavier will no longer be supplying such shoddy products and charging enormous sums of money for these from those who can ill-afford to lose the money. However, the company still has a web site, and is still listed at www.shoemakers.org.uk, hence this warning.
This is very unfortunate for my 86-year-old mother-in-law, who commenced County Court proceedings against this company in November, to try to recover over £900 in respect of the money that she paid for orthopaedic shoes ordered from them in November 2009, which were originally supposed only to take a few months to produce. The hearing was listed at the Court for 4 April 2011.
She paid nearly £200 for a cast of her feet for a "custom last" for the production of these shoes, and afterwards attended three additional fitting sessions, at each of which the shoes were found to be several sizes too big. On every occasion the shoemaker, David Xavier, undertook to alter the shoes accordingly, but the shoes were still the same (far too big) size each time, and were eventually delivered by post in August 2010 - nine months later! - and still several sizes too big.
The shoes are completely unusable as they don't stay on her feet, and David Xavier refused to make a refund, offering (yet again) to adjust them to fit, which of course in the circumstances was unacceptable.
She has difficulty walking even without the shoes, and is the full-time carer for her 87-year-old husband, who has vascular dementia. In one sense, it's just as well that the company has ceased trading, as hopefully it means that David Xavier will no longer be supplying such shoddy products and charging enormous sums of money for these from those who can ill-afford to lose the money. However, the company still has a web site, and is still listed at www.shoemakers.org.uk, hence this warning.
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Comments
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GraceCourt wrote: »Just a note to warn any potential customers of Xavier Footwear Limited, of 3a Tardebigge Court, Hewell Lane, Redditch B97 6QW, that it has gone into voluntary liquidation. We do not know whether there are any assets.
Just noticed that the failed company's listing on https://www.shoemakers.org.uk appears to have morphed into that of a new company - Xavier & Sons Limited - company number 07486402, incorporated on 10 January 2011.
This appears to be a classic "Phoenix" - although the registered office is given as Royal House, Market Place, Redditch B98 8AA, the address on https://www.shoemakers.org.uk for the new company is the same as that for the company in liquidation. We await details from the liquidators to find out what happened to the assets (if any), but I think we can all guess!
Of course, it will be a matter of consumer choice as to whether or not it would be a good idea to deal with Xavier & Sons Limited... which appears to sell shoes produced, of course, by David Xavier. So, the warning is reinforced... don't part with any money until you have, in your hands, a properly-made pair of orthopaedic shoes with which you are 101% satisfied. Good luck!!0 -
Just as an update, the Webmaster at https://www.shoemakers.org.uk didn't respond to my e-mail, but instead has just removed the reference to Xavier Footwear Limited from the site, replacing it with the details of the new company.
I half suspected that this might happen as shoemakers.org.uk is not a trade association, and does not provide any quality standards or approvals of its members - it is just a collective of independents, presumably for as long as each pays their annual subscription. Surprisingly, I'm not aware of any proper trade association for the shoemaking trade, so I can't recommend any particular way of independently checking the professionalism and/or qualifications of a potential supplier, but certainly, inclusion of a shoemaker on https://www.shoemakers.org.uk gives a customer no assurance whatsoever about anything, it is simply a directory listing, in the same way as (for example) Yell.com might list plumbers or electricians... so choose carefully, preferably following recommendation by a previous customer whose opinion you trust.
Interestingly, shoemakers cannot register with the Health Professionals Council. As I understand it, suppliers of orthotics (including shoe inserts) can be so registered. There is no David Xavier listed on the Council's professional register under any category.0 -
did you not pay with a credit card?0
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CoolHotCold wrote: »did you not pay with a credit card?
Unfortunately, my mother-in-law only has a debit card... she has applied for a Visa chargeback, but... well... as is well-documented on this site, it's nowhere near as certain as exercising Section 75 CCA 1971 rights... :-(0 -
I have always found Xavier and sons to be very helpful and pleasant. From what I have read, he was offering to put the shoes right? Made to measure shoes often do need adjusting, this is why you have them made to measure isnt it? I will continue to take my business to them. You only ever hear complaints on these types of websites. What about the customers who are happy with the service? Finding a skilled shoe maker is very difficult these days.These types of comments do not help small businesses that are struggling in the recession, however you obviously feel very angry and are entitled to air your views. I hope that you manage to solve your problem and that the shoes are able to be adjusted to your satisfaction. When they set up in business again I shall be ordering a pair of boots.GraceCourt wrote: »Just noticed that the failed company's listing on appears to have morphed into that of a new company - Xavier & Sons Limited - company number 07486402, incorporated on 10 January 2011.
This appears to be a classic "Phoenix" - although the registered office is given as Royal House, Market Place, Redditch B98 8AA, the address on for the new company is the same as that for the company in liquidation. We await details from the liquidators to find out what happened to the assets (if any), but I think we can all guess!
Of course, it will be a matter of consumer choice as to whether or not it would be a good idea to deal with Xavier & Sons Limited... which appears to sell shoes produced, of course, by David Xavier. So, the warning is reinforced... don't part with any money until you have, in your hands, a properly-made pair of orthopaedic shoes with which you are 101% satisfied. Good luck!!0 -
customerhappy wrote: »From what I have read, he was offering to put the shoes right? Made to measure shoes often do need adjusting, this is why you have them made to measure isnt it?
He offered to adjust them every time the elderly customer went for a fitting - on each of those three occasions there had been no adjustment whatsoever - and we are talking about them being about half an inch too big... so big, that they wouldn't even stay on her feet!
I would never do business with someone who has "done a Phoenix" to avoid their liabilities - in this case, tens of thousands of pounds were owing to a large number of creditors, including members of staff who weren't paid!
Yes, technically it's legal, but it's a wholly unacceptable way to treat your customers and employees!
All of the information relation to unpaid employees' salaries and trade creditors is published in the accounts filed by the company by the Directors (one of whom was David Xavier) when the company was wound up - a few weeks after the new one was set up!
And I see that "customerhappy" has only made one post - the one above - so welcome to MoneySavingExpert, David Xavier!
Would you trust this man with your money???0 -
What a coincidence, a one time wonder posts on a threadwhere the OP is warning others of the firm0
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I am not David Xavier! Yes this is my first and probably will be my only quote because I am not the sort of person that usually uses this type of site! any one can comment on this site and I am entitled to my opinion as much as you are .I was looking on line for his phone number and found your posting. I felt that people should also see that their are also other customers who are happy with Xaviers services. I can see that you are angry, and find your accusations towards me very upsetting .I am a genuine customer and a genuine happy customer .GraceCourt wrote: »He offered to adjust them every time the elderly customer went for a fitting - on each of those three occasions there had been no adjustment whatsoever - and we are talking about them being about half an inch too big... so big, that they wouldn't even stay on her feet!
I would never do business with someone who has "done a Phoenix" to avoid their liabilities - in this case, tens of thousands of pounds were owing to a large number of creditors, including members of staff who weren't paid!
Yes, technically it's legal, but it's a wholly unacceptable way to treat your customers and employees!
All of the information relation to unpaid employees' salaries and trade creditors is published in the accounts filed by the company by the Directors (one of whom was David Xavier) when the company was wound up - a few weeks after the new one was set up!
And I see that "customerhappy" has only made one post - the one above - so welcome to MoneySavingExpert, David Xavier!
Would you trust this man with your money???
I am also genuinely sorry to hear that your mothers shoes did not fit and that you have not as yet managed to resolve the problem. The rest of the information you have given is no different to any other company struggling and going under in a recession . As I have said before I will continue to order my boots and shoes as I consider them to be genuine and hard working people. Any one else looking to purchase shoes should make up their own minds. One complaint does not necessarily mean that a company is bad.0 -
customerhappy wrote: »I am not David Xavier! Yes this is my first and probably will be my only quote because I am not the sort of person that usually uses this type of site! any one can comment on this site and I am entitled to my opinion as much as you are .I was looking on line for his phone number and found your posting. I felt that people should also see that their are also other customers who are happy with Xaviers services. I can see that you are angry, and find your accusations towards me very upsetting .I am a genuine customer and a genuine happy customer .
I am genuinely sorry to hear that your mothers shoes did not fit and that you have not as yet managed to resolve the problem. The rest of the information you have given is no different to any other company struggling and going under in a recession . As I have said before I will continue to order my boots and shoes as I consider them to be genuine and hard working people. Any one else looking to purchase shoes should make up their own minds. One complaint does not necessarily mean that a company is bad.
oh, cheers - what does that make me then as someone who does post on sites like this.
strange if you order lots off this man that you didn't have his phone number?
suspicious, moi?'We're not here for a long time, we're here for a good time0 -
Shall I now accuse you of being Gracecourt?This seems to be the way this site opperates? Does nobody beleive who we say we are, and intimate that they may also all be liars?oh, cheers - what does that make me then as someone who does post on sites like this.
strange if you order lots off this man that you didn't have his phone number?
suspicious, moi?
It was quicker to look the phone number up online because I was sitting at the computer. I have made my point. As anyone reading about the subject concerned will recognize.0
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