not-so- greatcurtains

mushtiff

Anyone else had problems with greatcurtains.co.uk, also trading as Econermine and Fine Furnishings Direct? Ordered curtains 7 weeks ago, & told delivery would take 4-5 weeks. But I can't get any reply to my requests for an update, despite sending lots of emails and leaving messages on their voice mail. Though the sales line gets an answer, they say "we know nothing about orders, but we know they're having a high volume of calls" and are no help at all.
When ordering, they seemed very good, replied quickly to emails, sent samples, and rang back to answer queries. Now, it's a blank wall. I am worried something's wrong with the company, and would definitely say steer clear of them. Anyone else got any experience of them?

DiSallis

I have exactly the same problem with this company.

Ordered 3 pairs of curtains on 6th September, delivery promised 4-5 weeks, paid £600 with the order, then - silence.

After 4 weeks, received letter advising that they were out of stock of material for 2 pairs (which they must have known about earlier than this). I phoned about the 3rd pair and was told they were about to be despatched and I would receive them 19th/20th October. But since then, nothing has arrived.

It's now 9 weeks since my order, their phone is now never answered in person, just 'leave a message or email us' - which they ignore, they have never replied either to my phone or email messages.

I hope this is just because they were overwhelmed with orders in September following their 'half price linings' offer - but if so, why can't they just send a standard email telling me this?

I wouldn't advise anyone to order from this company at the moment without thinking very carefully first.

Fire_Fox

Stop telephoning or e-mailing, write a letter before action.

JBAL

Glad I found this thread. I began to think it was just me having problems. Ordered two pairs of curtains on 10th August and paid just over £1,200. Told would be 4-5 weeks but within 3 weeks had a call to say the batch of fabric they had was flawed and they had to send it back to the supplier and were waiting on another delivery. Did call two or three times after that with updates and at that time also answered their phone. I did manage to speak to someone a couple of weeks ago but all I got was "I'm sorry but it is very busy just now can I call you back later this afternoon". Surprise, surprise I'm still waiting. Have since left three telephone messages and emailed twice. I note the comment about writing a letter. Has that prompted any response or just a suggestion? Interested to hear from anyone else with similar problem particularly if the issue has been resolved.

[Deleted User]

Sounds ominous

I have used econermine several times in the past 20 plus years and they were always good and very prompt and that is whay they had repeat orders from me. The service you are getting now would ring alarm bells and I am hoping that you paid via credit card, just in case

mushtiff

Interested to hear it isn't just me. I've just spoken to a Which? lawyer, who advises sending a letter recorded delivery making Time of the essence of my contract with Econermine. This means I am giving them 2 further weeks to complete my order, after which I will rescind the order on the grounds that taking 10 weeks to fulfil an order they said would be completed in 4-5 weeks is not reasonable. In theory, I am entitled to a full refund if they don't send the goods. Fortunately I did pay by credit card, so can pursue a refund that way if Econermine don't pay up. Hope that's the case for others in a similar situation.

chetty

Similar story of NON-DELIVERY by Econermine (greatcurtains.co.uk).
£460 paid end of July. Promised for 10th September. Told they were "busy" and would be early October. Still nothing. Trying to get my money back.
Would not use this bunch again.

PatsyAnn

I've had the same problem. Ordered curtains in August sale, was then told that the fabric would be delayed. Heard no more so have been trying for over a week to contact the company. "Customer Services" number always goes straight through to answerphone, and I've had no reply to my e-mail. Finally got hold of helpful assistant in Sales Dept (they DO answer!) and was promised I'd be phoned back. Nothing so far so am taking it up with Trading Standards (these days you have to do this via Citizens Advice Consumer Helpline - a pity you can no longer speak to Trading Standards direct) and writing to Econermine making "time of the essence".....and copying it to my credit card company.

kermitfrog

Isn't it strange that five new members have joined MSE just to slag off this company. Makes you wonder whether the OP felt the the thread wasn't attracting enough attention.

kirkby_iron

No, I am sure that the posters are all genuine.

The truth of the matter is that the company previously provided excellent service but the current Directors have been extremely incompetent and run the company into the ground.

No accounts have been posted, HMRC owed a small fortune etc., etc.

kermitfrog

kirkby_iron wrote: »

No, I am sure that the posters are all genuine.

Oh, well, if you say so then it must be true, mustn't it?