No vodka tasting for me!

disgruntled_tenant

Hi,

Firstly let me point out that my user name bears no relevance to this post - it is one that I used for posts a year or so ago!

Back in December 2013 I purchased two 'vouchers' for a vodka-tasting event , as a gift. I paid via paypal. I was assured by the company and their website that there would be many dates to choose from in the coming year. As it was, the dates available were few and far between. I contacted them to enquire, and further dates appeared. I booked far ahead in September this year.

The company 'mistakenly' cancelled this event - I contacted them, asking for a refund, they claimed it was in error, and confirmed that this event was going ahead, and that I would find out the exact location 6 weeks in advance.

Not hearing anything from the company, I rung and emailled, but all went unanswered. I contacted a previous venue who had hosted their events, and they said that the company had 'vanished'.

A few days before the event, I received an email saying that the event was cancelled, to contact point of sale for refund. As I purchased directly from them, I have no way of contacting them as emails bounce, phone numbers no longer work, and from other internet company forums, (not sure if I can name forum, but a large online seller, previously selling vouchers for this company) I can see that others have also had this problem.

Where do I go next? I have submitted a claim to Paypal, but am aware that this is after their 180 day claim period.

Any ideas appreciated! The company is listed on company details websites as 'proposal to strike off- dormant'.

Thanks.

InsideInsurance

How did you fund the payment via paypal? Debit card, credit card, dd?

What is the company's name? How much was the event?

Have you tried contacting the directors of the company?

If the company has debts you can apply to prevent the company from being struck off to allow you then pursue it through the courts for the monies but this isnt simple to do and I would question if its worth the effort subject to the pricing

disgruntled_tenant

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I paid for the 'voucher' via paypal, and the amount seems to have been part funded by funds already in the account, and from a transfer from my current account. The amount was £58.

The company is 'Drinking Classes Ltd'. The company director only has her address as the company address, and this just seems to be a rented address for post collection.

The company appears to have been selling a lot of 'vouchers' for these events via social voucher sites. I booked with them, as I had attended a previous event with them, with no trouble, but this time they appear to have taken my money and vanished.

There does seem to be a reasonable number of other people who are also in the same position, judging by posts on this and other forums.

clairemcbain

Hi there,

I have started a similar post on this called 'My rights after paying deposit and company no longer contactable' which has some information.

In addition there is a discussion on Amazon Local (if you google "drinking classes amazon" it should appear - I would post a link but as a newbie it won't let me!)

I contacted Citizens Advice, who have passed the matter to Trading Standards but there's no guarantee I'll hear back.

My biggest success so far is Insolvency Scotland and Companies House. Insolvency Scotland advised that the company have not registered as insolvent but have applied to be struck off. If they succeed in being struck off, we will have no way to claim our loss however I have been told by Insolvency Scotland that it's possible to lodge an objection to them being stuck off under specific clauses, some of which apply to us (e.g. directors have failed to inform interested parties - we are an interested party as we have paid for services not provided to us).

Insolvency Scotland directed me to Companies House, who responded as follows:

If you wish to make an objection, you will need to provide current documentary evidence of any action that is being taken to recover the outstanding debt. On receipt of this information, I will consider whether your objection can be maintained.
We will accept the following as evidence: invoices, court documents or general correspondence (letters, e-mails) between you and the company showing that you are actively pursuing them to recover the debt. All evidence must be dated within the last 6 months and must show the limited company name.
If no reply is received within 14 days of the date of this letter, dissolution action will resume.
I would be grateful if you could confirm whether you would be agreeable for your identity, as the objector, to be disclosed to the directors of the company.

I am keen to go ahead and action this with Companies House and would urge anyone else with the same problem to do the same as soon as possible. The correspondence e-mail for Companies House is: enquiries at companies-house dot gov dot uk and phone number 0303 1234 500

Hope this helps...
Claire

disgruntled_tenant

There are at least 3 threads discussing this company. Would admin be able to merge them? Thanks

hollydays

http://secure.eventadv.com/RSVP/exhibitor_files/20093240455_RSVP%20PRESS%20RELEASE.doc

”This partnership is allowing us to continue our approach of creating bars that are entertainment features at events” says CocktailStars Kate O’Neil, “We are very happy to be working with Event Prop Hire as we are able to offer the best of both worlds – combining our bar kit and technical expertise to ensure the catering aspect of the bar runs smoothly, into a custom designed set that allows us to enhance the themed entertainment we provide”.

08009561932 is a freephone number she uses for anyone else googling her

From one of the addresses that she was registered with is a link to a company called
https://www.3r-creative-solutions.co.uk
Now at a different address but the director has the same surname as Kate.
E-Mail: roy@3r-creative-solutions.co.uk
Or phone them
3r creative solutions limited




Who claim to carry out problem solving training in Surrey
https://www.problemsolvingtraining.com

clairemcbain

Has anyone had any update on this? We thought we'd got somewhere when the owner called my boyfriend directly... alas I think her promises to solve our problems were ungenuine as we've spent the last few weeks struggling to get back in touch with her - ignored calls and e-mails as per before. Nightmare!