Realiam / Scatty Squirrel - Has anyone bought anything from them?

LutonGirl

Has anyone out there in MSE Land used a website called Scatty Squirrel run by a company called Realiam Ltd based in Henley On Thames? My sis ordered some furniture back in February and despite a few emails with updates, now can't get any response from the company.

With hindsight she knows she was foolish to buy from this site - no address or phone number for communications!

We traced the address through Companies House and I helped her write a 7 day letter before action. (With advice from similar situations on this forum) She also cc'd the letter to Oxfordshire Trading Standards and called them yesterday, but they haven't got back to her yet. No one was available to take the call.

Before she initiates some sort of small claims action, has anyone any experience of this company or does anyone have any advice on how to go from here.

Thanks in advance.

paddyrg

General terms and conditions

This site is owned and operated by Scattysquirrel.co.uk, Gelderd Point, Gelderd Rd, Leeds, LS27 7JP. Email: sales@scattysquirrel.co.uk.

Alternative address - is it even the same company? No mention of Realiam, so check up before getting heavy?!

But Realiam Limited don't look too hopeful... (from companieshouse)

The latest Annual Accounts submitted to Companies House for the year up to 30/11/2011 reported 'cash at bank' of £830, 'liabilities' worth £8,884, 'net worth' of £-5,756 and 'assets' worth £3,080. Realiam Limited's risk score was amended on 05/09/2012.

gb12345

paddyrg wrote: »

Alternative address - is it even the same company? No mention of Realiam, so check up before getting heavy?!

I would say it is a different website - the OP mentions her sis buying furniture - this site appears to sell storage jars.

Edit: Scrap that - a search of realiam ltd scatty brings up this page http://www.scattysquirrel.co.uk/privacy--cookies-16-w.asp which does mention Realiam Ltd.

gb12345

@OP - How did she pay? Rather than small claims, which will be a waste of time due to the state of the company, she would be better off going for a chargeback/S75 (as applicable) for non-delivery.

LutonGirl

Thanks for your help. Unfortunately, when she tried to pay online by card, the facility wasn't working, so she contacted the site by email and was advised to pay by bank transfer, which she did. The name on the bank account was Realiam, hence the trace to Henley on Thames.

When she told me what she'd done, alarm bells rang loud and clear.

Trading Standards has now been in touch and advised her to send a letter requesting a refund citing breach of DSR. We'll see how she gets on.

I take it the chargeback through the bank isn't possible. Section 75 only applies to credit cards doesn't it?

I wondered if the company had ceased trading and that would account for the non-communication, so I sent an email through the site requesting some info on something random and lo and behold, got a response from the same person who has since stopped communicating with my sister.

We'll have to see the outcome of this next instalment, but if you do have any more advice, I'd be really grateful to receive it.

Thank you.

battleborn

Sounds like they have gone BUST!

gb12345

LutonGirl wrote: »

I take it the chargeback through the bank isn't possible. Section 75 only applies to credit cards doesn't it?

Bank transfers are basically unreversible - should have been an immediate red flag when they asked for payment like that.

They are a Ltd compnay, so chances of getting anything out of them is virtually nil I'm afraid.

paddyrg

However, if they're trading whilst knowingly insolvent they can get into a LOT of trouble, so keep on digging!

LutonGirl

Thanks for all your responses. I have no idea why she thought the bank transfer would be a good idea, she's normally not so giddy, but she'd just got a brand new house and her head was all over the place. I think this may end up being an expensive error.

Will continue to dig until she hears back. She's away at the moment so not able to see what's arrived in the post.

I will let you know how it pans out and thanks again.

bessybunter

Have you any update or joy? I have an order of approx £145 placed on 03/05/13 and it hasnt arrived. Ordered with debit card and received despatch email about 1week later than no goods so emailed query 2 weeks in...they responded saying they would trace package and resend goods...now not responding!

gb12345

bessybunter wrote: »

Have you any update or joy? I have an order of approx £145 placed on 03/05/13 and it hasnt arrived. Ordered with debit card and received despatch email about 1week later than no goods so emailed query 2 weeks in...they responded saying they would trace package and resend goods...now not responding!

Contact your bank and tell them that you want to do a chargeback on the basis of non-delivery.