How to recognise a dodgy company

EmilyG2010

I recently ordered a product online which did not turn up. My account was debited for the goods regardless and the company were subsequently uncontactable. I've a learnt the lesson that I need to be more cautious.

I am about to buy a bed. I've found the perfect one on a site called 'grand furniture'. Grandfurniture.co.uk. This is the trade name for a company called Royale Comfort Limited

I've done some google searching on the company and found the following information

Business Overview

Royale Comfort Limited is an Active, non trading business incorporated in England & Wales on 24th February 2011. Their business activity is recorded as Retail Sale Via Mail Order Houses Or Via Internet. Royale Comfort Limited is run by 1 current members. 1 shareholders own the total shares within the company. It is not part of a group.

The latest Annual Accounts submitted to Companies House for the year up to 29/02/2012 reported 'cash at bank' of £0, 'liabilities' worth £0, 'net worth' of £0 and 'assets' worth £0. Royale Comfort Limited's risk score was amended on 27/10/2012.

Company Register

Status Non trading
Registered date 24/02/2011
Company number 07542096
Type Private limited with Share Capital
Country of registration GB

Previous Names

No previous names.


Company Accounts

Category Dormant
Date filed up to 29/02/2012
Next due date 28/11/2013
Year end date 28th February
Auditor Name Not provided

Annual Returns

Date filed up to 24/02/2013


...

To me this rings alarm bells. Am I wrong?
The company have got back to me by email but I can't reach them on the phone.

Thanks for any help people can give.

bod1467

"Non-trading" and "dormant" would ring alarm bells for me. Plus they don't list their business address* on their website (required by law?) and they don't list their VAT reg number.

*Whois says:

48 Kings Terrace
Birmingham
West Midlands
B14 6TR
United Kingdom

gb12345

EmilyG2010 wrote: »

I recently ordered a product online which did not turn up. My account was debited for the goods regardless and the company were subsequently uncontactable. I've a learnt the lesson that I need to be more cautious.

I know that this isn't connected to your original query, but how did you pay for the item that didn't turn up?

If you paid by card and it is more than 14 days since you ordered then you can ask your bank to do a chargeback on the basis of non-delivery.

EmilyG2010

thanks gb I initiated this today. I paid with visa debit

I'm wondering whether to risk it with the bed if my bank can credit me back if the bed doesn't turn up...

EmilyG2010

actually used a company that I found through this site many people have had similar non delivery problems with - should have googled first!

gb12345

EmilyG2010 wrote: »

I'm wondering whether to risk it with the bed if my bank can credit me back if the bed doesn't turn up...

Is the bed over £100 and do you have a credit card?

If so pay with the card and you will have Section 75 protection if the company fails to deliver.

EmilyG2010

£400, just a debit card..

jm2926

bod1467 wrote: »

*Whois says:

48 Kings Terrace
Birmingham
West Midlands
B14 6TR
United Kingdom

Which Google streetview shows as a house.

Why are you so keen to buy from this company instead of a national chain or local business that you have heard of? If it is because the price seems really cheap that would be another indicator that it's a bad idea.

EmilyG2010

thanks JM. I want a bed in a particular colour and have only found it with these people. £400 for this type of bed seems mid range price. The alternative is to have it made specially and paying £1600 for it.... hence why I am willing to take a risk. I've only found out that my bank can refund transactions today but have not seen this happen yet. Guess advice is I should leave it. I can't find any online reviews.

paddyrg

The details above aren't necessarily bad - the records often take a while to be updated, annual returns are just that, it's quite possible the companieshouse records are fully in order.

The details on the site are not encouraging, no address, no VAT number despite VAT being mentioned in their terms.

jm2926

EmilyG2010 wrote: »

thanks JM. I want a bed in a particular colour and have only found it with these people. £400 for this type of bed seems mid range price. The alternative is to have it made specially and paying £1600 for it.... hence why I am willing to take a risk.

Do you have a link to the bed? Maybe we can find one elsewhere for you?