MSE News: Missing cash fears after Focus DIY administration

asbokid

jobless101 wrote: »

As of yesterday 5 pm Kingfisher aka B&Q our buying 31 of the stores providing all conditions are met!

Thanks for the update, jobless101.

Is there a list of the 31 stores that B&Q intends to buy? Is your store one of them?

Any more rumours about The Range taking on the leaseholds for some of the Focus stores?

I am sure the people at the top must have known something was going on but they did not tell the GSMs (general store managers) until 9am on Wednesday

The writing was on the wall for Focus some years ago.

When Cerberus, private equity vultures and specialists in distressed business, bought the chain for a quid, that was a clear sign that Focus had gotten very sickly. See: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.php?p=43418556&postcount=38

In August 2009, Focus entered into a Company Voluntary Arrangement. The CVA allowed it to shed the onerous rents it was paying to some of its landlords. The company then negotiated new leases. That gave Focus a temporary reprieve which saved it albeit briefly from immediate administration.

How long have you worked for Focus? And with the benefit of hindsight, what were the signs that the chain was doomed? Lack of marketing spend? Lack of in-store promotions? Poor product range? Low quality stock? Low stock levels? Difficulty with suppliers? Recruitment suspended? Poor working environment? Pension scheme suspended? Tough refund policies? Other sharp practices? Despondent management?

http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/5a388b74-90ca-11de-bc99-00144feabdc0.html

John_Pierpoint

B&Q's criteria included - not competing with existing B&Q stores.

My nearest Focus is Benfleet,

:wave: Benfleet - have you got any closing bargains?

Good old Woolies sold me a supply of something at a bargain rate, (about 66% off) and I am just running out now.

I was most impressed overhearing a manageress and some liquidator person discussing how the clearance was going - I thought "she knows what she is doing and understands retail - I do hope someone realised how good she is and puts her back to work pronto."

Send me a PM;)
I'll copy it on here when I get back:D

mdeluk

Hi,

We bought a kitchen on Tuesday, however we got the 0% interest free credit agreement with it. There seems to be no information about what to do with this, as we are trying to cancel but are finding it very hard and not sure what to do.

Does anyone have any ideas? Does Section-75 apply to this?

Thanks

Mankysteve

John_Pierpoint wrote: »

B&Q's criteria included - not competing with existing B&Q stores.

So that will be all there stores then. There a focus on the other side of the road from my old store. there were absoultley no composition at all.

gribb99

I ordered and paid for a midi compact shed and two outside bunkers (made by KETER) on 2/4/11. Eventually I discovered part of the order had arrived at the beginning of May, but that they (Guisborough Focus staff) were waiting for the complete order before contacting me for collection. As soon as I was aware of what was happening I tried to collect what was in stock, only to be refused my goods (6/5/11). I was given a phone number (0161 333 2863) which turned out to be the Focus administration hotline - left a message to return my call(some chance). On phoning my bank (Santander), I was advised that I should contact the administrators asking for my goods or full recompense, giving them 30 days grace. If no reply or a refusal is forthcoming my bank will then start the chargeback proceedure.
However, I got a phone call on Saturday morning (7/5/11). 'If you want what we have in stock of your order, come and get it'...... I did.
If you have any paid for goods that are in store I would go back and try again, the assistant said they are changing the rules all the time. By the way, I bought some padlocks for the sheds and I still got my pensioner's discount.

aldredd

gribb99 wrote: »

I got a phone call on Saturday morning (7/5/11). 'If you want what we have in stock of your order, come and get it'...... I did.

That's good news

Hopefully it was merely the administrators holding everything for a few days so they could asses the situation before hand.

DES1001

Focus has not ceased to trade and customers will be able to continue shopping at Focus stores across the UK.

Changes to store refund, customer order process and customer vouchers – update 6 May 2011
Following our appointment as administrators on 5 May 2011, the following changes to the way in which we administer refunds and customer orders have been put in place with immediate effect:

New customer orders

• At present no new customer orders can be placed for any goods to be ordered to store or home delivery, whether in stock or not.

Existing customer orders

• Goods for existing customer orders may only be collected from store if the customer:
  • Has paid for the goods; and
  • Holds a valid receipt for those goods; and
  • Has been advised by the store that the goods are in stock and have been reserved for customer collection.

• Goods for existing customer orders where a deposit has been paid may only be collected from the store if:
• The customer has been advised by the store that the goods are in stock and have been reserved for customer collection; and
• The deposit paid is not more than 5% of the purchase price; and
• The full balance of the purchase price is paid.
• At this stage we cannot deliver goods where customers have placed orders for home delivery.
• At this stage we are unable give a refund on any outstanding customer orders.

Please advise us in writing at the address below of any outstanding orders that you have.
Customer returns

• Goods purchased prior to 5 May 2011 are only eligible for a like for like exchange, up to the value of the goods. This excludes customer orders for uncollected goods for which no exchange or refund can be given)
• Goods purchased from 5 May 2011 onwards are eligible for a like for like exchange, no refunds can be given unless goods are faulty.

Vouchers

• No new vouchers will be available for purchase.
• Existing vouchers will continue to be accepted as a method of payment.

eddiemacthedog

Must admit, i was in my local store yesterday and there was no reductions in stock etc, closing down sale blah blah!

aldredd

eddiemacthedog wrote: »

Must admit, i was in my local store yesterday and there was no reductions in stock etc, closing down sale blah blah!

Yup, because at the moment, they're not closing down - they're being ran as a going concern with a view to finding a buyer for the business. (Breaking up the business if required, such as B&Q buying 30 odd stores)

shykins

the stores B&Q are buying are dorset and northern ones, tending to be larger ones with mezzanine floorings. word is they also buying Witney and haverhill stores. the essex ones arent on the list