MSE News: Comet in administration

richard-

LISAM696969 wrote: »

Hi I bought a laptop from comet yesterday with 25% of it is a hp and i specifically asked for the fastes processor as my husband has no patience no norton anti-virus to be installed and also if had windows 7 as windows 8 seemed a little unfamilair to try to show him how to use a laptop i was told that yes it did and that no norton anti-virus was on it and that this was the latest fastest processor on getting home and speaking to a friend who is a computer whizz it has an itel core i5 which is nowhere near the fastest processor , norton anti-virus is installed and it is windows 8 it says no refund on the door of comet i paid by credit card is there anything i can do , thanks , lisa

The processor is pretty good i5 is a fast processor for a laptop. People want version 8 now, it is possible to downgrade to 7 free - you will need to look into it

flyforfun

Aj71 wrote: »

Just tried to spend voucher we got from 3 when we upgraded our sons phone. Apparently these are not valid.
What's the difference and does it matter where they came from?

Check the back of your card and see if it says "corporate gift card" on it.

I'm not certain, but I'll speculate two issues.

1. The companies got these at a discount. My company uses a staff benefit company and we can purchase a range of vouchers with anything up to 10% off. So while you think you have a £100 voucher, Comet may only be getting £90. I rekon if the liquidators allow them to be used they will be redeemed with a "haircut" on them.
2. I wonder also, going on press reports, that the corporates may not have paid for them, yet. They may be on monthly billing perhaps but if they are on redemption, Comet have got nothing and it means they will need to chase for the funds. If a liquidator is trying to raise as much money as quickly as possible, they're not going to want to wait months to settle these accounts.One of the posts from an above mentioned their insurer asking for the card back and sending them a cheque. This could either be they haven't paid Comet for the card or it could simply be a good will gesture by the insurer.

dingle01902

Been to the store twice yesterday first at 9am to be told sale starts at 13:00. Went back to find blanket 10% discount but with 20% on a handfull of items.

Called back in today and asked what was on biggest discount to be told integrated appliances 30%. As I was after a cooker, I started checking out the prices using my mobile only to find that even AFTER the 30% is knocked off I can still buy the same models elsewhere for much cheaper, and from a company that isnt going bust!!

I guess it shows how much Comet have been ripping off customers for years if their liquidation prices are still higher than other companies NORMAL prices!!!

KTF

dingle01902 wrote: »

their liquidation prices are still higher than other companies NORMAL prices!!!

Did you really expect it to be anything different?

The vast majority of the stock will have been claimed back by the manufacturers now anyway and/or non existent in the first place as Comet couldn't get credit to get the stock anyway.

flyforfun

flyforfun wrote: »

Check the back of your card and see if it says "corporate gift card" on it.

I'm not certain, but I'll speculate two issues.

1. The companies got these at a discount. My company uses a staff benefit company and we can purchase a range of vouchers with anything up to 10% off. So while you think you have a £100 voucher, Comet may only be getting £90. I rekon if the liquidators allow them to be used they will be redeemed with a "haircut" on them.
2. I wonder also, going on press reports, that the corporates may not have paid for them, yet. They may be on monthly billing perhaps but if they are on redemption, Comet have got nothing and it means they will need to chase for the funds. If a liquidator is trying to raise as much money as quickly as possible, they're not going to want to wait months to settle these accounts.One of the posts from an above mentioned their insurer asking for the card back and sending them a cheque. This could either be they haven't paid Comet for the card or it could simply be a good will gesture by the insurer.

There is a link here which clarifies which are gift cards/vouchers that are and aren't being accepted currently. Corporate ones are clearly listed with a big cross through them.

flyforfun

dingle01902 wrote: »

Been to the store twice yesterday first at 9am to be told sale starts at 13:00. Went back to find blanket 10% discount but with 20% on a handfull of items.

Called back in today and asked what was on biggest discount to be told integrated appliances 30%. As I was after a cooker, I started checking out the prices using my mobile only to find that even AFTER the 30% is knocked off I can still buy the same models elsewhere for much cheaper, and from a company that isnt going bust!!

I guess it shows how much Comet have been ripping off customers for years if their liquidation prices are still higher than other companies NORMAL prices!!!

The only people rushing to Comet will be those like me with Gift Vouchers/Cards - well I would be if they were accepting mine. :mad:

MavisTheMaven

stdani wrote: »

staff have been told nothing as to whats happening either - which is a worrying time for all concerned as u can imagine

Let's remember this if we have any issues and go in there to complain. Let's be nice to these people who are about to lose their jobs before Christmas, this situation isn't their fault and they certainly don't need any earache from us to add to their hell.

wooley232

I need some advice please bought and paid for a freezer end of October paid using Visas debit card. As my item was out of stock Comet informed me that it will not be delivered to me.Have been to the store cannot cancel order,cannot take anything of same value, cannot have my money back. Spoke to bank who requested a letter from Comet stating that freezer was not going to be delivered. Manager in shop refuses to provide letter. Customer services head office are saying that they have been told by administrators that they are not allowed to provide letter. What can I do?

rickbonar.

naveedh wrote: »

That is a very good and effective suggestion rickbonar. Use you primal instincts and go into the store and use threats of violence against members of staff who have no control over the situation expecting them to give you something they can't. Very clever! :sarcasm:

Even if you've used a debit card, so long as it is a VISA, you can still file a chargeback claim. Uninformed staff in bank branches may tell you otherwise however having persisted with Halifax, they sent me chargeback forms for an issue I had last year and I managed to claim a charge of £95.

When a company is in administration it is illegal for them to take cash out, even for outstanding orders. Hence comet are only offering exchanges on faulty goods. My advice to you would be, if you haven't been refunded for an outstanding order and they've confirmed you won't receive it, request for an exchange and buy something else. I know this probably sounds silly but this way you will have something back rather than nothing.

Well it worked for me!

I thought the guy said they'd taken his money and he'd been told they weren't sending him anything!

A few years back I had a similar problem with a company called "computer world" (although i had in this case a faulty item) ... by the time you've kicked over two or 3 machines and products .. they get pretty nervous and pay up.... especially as it looks as though you may wreck their shop and goods if they don't.

Mind you I am a rather large guy that might also have something to do with their final helpful co operation.

xmagic_dustx

My Dad ordered a fridge and a washing machine on Comet's website.

About four days later, once more reinforcing the wonderful luck that we have, heard that Comet were going into administration. Went into a panic as we assumed they would not be delivering the items. Then saw on the FAQ page of the website that they would be delivering items if they were in stock.

Lo and behold, nothing came. No phone call, no e-mail from Comet to let us know that the delivery would not be fulfilled. My Dad waited in all day in vain for nothing. Went to the bank, who advised him to go to the nearest Comet store, which he did - it's miles away at an out of the way retail park - and was told that they knew nothing and he would have to call customer care.

Woman on customer care line told him he'd have to write to the administrators - as though he were being oh so unreasonable in asking for money back for goods which have never materialised - explaining the problem and telling them he wants a refund. He went on to tell her that it's daylight robbery without a mask, etc. She went on to complain to him about losing her job and how some people might not be able to pay their mortgages, etc. Feel bad for her, but she told him this in such a retaliatory way as though this were his fault that I was a bit irked by it.

It's a lose-lose situation for all concerned anyway really. He paid with a Visa Debit card though, so hopefully he'll manage to get the money back. As for the possibly soon-to-be-ex-Comet staff, I hope they land on their feet and find something else.