Buying goods from online companies that are categorised as dormant

HUMBUG

unholyangel wrote: »

Would never happen. For one, a lot of government have an interest or connections with those in business. Second, it may stop consumers purchasing from a company that could have otherwise been saved (and also the jobs of those who work there). Third, a quarter of our retail sales goes to one retailer - who are based in luxembourg (amazon) so are not subject to UK law, how would you force foreign companies like amazon to comply?

And lastly, consumers don't even do the basic checks that are available at present. They order from .co.uk websites thinking the .uk means its a UK company - even where no address, phone number, company registration number or vat number is given. Often the websites specifically tell them the business is located elsewhere yet consumers still miss it. They wait until they've actually sent an order before searching for reviews of the company.


A credit report wouldnt necessarily be useful. A one man band for example might have equal liabilities and assets - but given a company only files their accounts once a year and relies on the books being accurate......its not really anything steadfast to go on. I've seen companies with dodgy books but they arent actually picked up until they're audited.

Many thanks - yes paying by paypal doesn't provide section 75 protection and I wasn't too keen to pay by credit card over the phone. You might be right about them using a previous limited company name . I won't mention the golf company by name but the 'Dormant' one in companies house has Ltd after it while the one on the website doesn't - but same director involved in both. So how can one check the authenticity of a non-limited company?

unholyangel

https://www.companiesintheuk.co.uk/

Is he a director for any other ltd companies? If you don't already have somewhere to check, the link above will tell you. Along with the status of those companies along with capital and other last filed accounts info like assets minus liabilities to give you an idea of their solvency.

But definitely, report it. If he's trading legitimately under another limited company then he has nothing to worry about. Although his company registration number should be displayed on the website (along with registered address) in accordance with e-commerce laws.

InsideInsurance

The most obvious question, are you sure its that company you have actually paid/ are dealing with?

I could own the website, GolfClubUpgrades.co.uk but having nothing at all to do with Golf Club Upgrades Ltd. It could be I do have something to do with it but am operating my site as a sole trader before starting the company but have registered it for protective reasons. It could be I am actually Golf Club Upgrades AG in Germany but have opened a .co.uk domain to leverage EU cross border trade laws.

What is the website address?

unholyangel

I already asked that

OP says its the same guy involved with both limited company and the website company. Which (imo) makes it likely they are one and the same.

bap98189

A dormant company is one that has no significant accounting transactions during the reporting period. It is perfectly possible that the company was dormant until 12 months ago, and then started to trade. Their status as shown on the Companies House register would not change until their next set of accounts were due to be filed.

Are you sure the company you looked up on Companies House is the same one you are dealing with? It is quite legal (and fairly common) for a company to trade under a name that is different to their actual registered name. You should check that the company numbers match.

As for Trust Pilot, all they do is publish reviews. I really doubt that checking the legal status of the parent company that owns a web domain is anything they are concerned with.

InsideInsurance

unholyangel wrote: »

I already asked that

OP says its the same guy involved with both limited company and the website company. Which (imo) makes it likely they are one and the same.

Not necessarily, as per my prior post it is possible for a sole trader to register a company for future use and continue to trade as a sole trader.

Assuming the website is obeying the proper rules it should clearly identify which legal entity users are entering into a contract with and thus it would clear up the sole trader -v- ltd etc type issues.

HUMBUG

Many thanks all but my golf clubs arrived today. The weird thing is the courier wouldn't take all my clubs that were agreed in part exchange. He said his box was too small and if he collected them unboxed , he would be liable for any damage.

So it looks like this company and director are just using the trading name of his old dormant Ltd company (but without the Ltd as their website name).

Quite relieved to tell the truth and probably the last time I conduct a transaction like this again.

unholyangel

If the LTD company have never traded at any time....he could just be a sole trader who registered the ltd name so that no one else could. Of course that would also mean he's personally on the hook for any liabilities rather than it being limited to company assets.

HUMBUG

1. Didn't want to see photos of my clubs before offering 'part exchange' for some clubs I wanted off their website.
2. No processes in place to offer to me some discount code so I could buy the clubs direct off their website using their secure 'Safe Payment Methods' .
3. Even after I paid the balance by bank transfer they did not remove the clubs from their website until I chased them to do so (before some third party also paid for the clubs that I'd already bought).
4. Their courier company (I had to pay the £10 courier charge on behalf of this golf company) had computer problems so were unable to forewarn me by email/text that they were arriving on a specific date and time.
5.The courier company arrived with my clubs but were expecting me to box up my clubs (this was never mentioned on the golf website). I didn't have a box. So they re-used the box my clubs arrived in , but this was too small to accommodate my 2 sets of golf clubs and other clubs (that I'd agreed in part exchange).
6. The courier dropped the iron set into the box while it sat on my concrete porch (an ugly thump was heard). He refused to take some of my other clubs as he said they would be liable for any damage if they were 'unboxed'.
7. Fortunately , I had taken photos of the clubs before I handed them to the courier and emailed the golf company's helpdesk to forewarn them that the courier may have damaged some of the irons. That they had refused to take all my clubs and that they may wish to arrange another collection. They agreed to ask the courier to do another collection tomorrow and I said ok.
8. Now the director of 'Dodgy Golf 'company says that I need to pay an extra £10 because he had only agreed collection in a single box.
9. Now I'm really annoyed because that was never mentioned on their website - it said they would collect the products for a £10 charge NOT per some standard size box that they had agreed with their courier company.
10. Further , on closer inspection of the delivered clubs , one club had a dent in it. The description on their website classified the iron heads as in good condition without any nicks or chips - ' Misrepresentation' .
11. Needless to say, I am absolutely irate with 'Dodgy Golf'' and their imbecilic director . He knew how many clubs I was part exchanging and requests a slimline box that can only accomodate 10 clubs rather than the agreed 18. He makes the mistake, offers little in terms of efficient internal processes and wants to make his own customers pay for his errors. So for the sake of £10 he is unwilling to pay for, he is prepared to lose many potential orders when I write a review of my experience on Trustpilot. Looks like desperation stuff to me!!! Maybe I was lucky to receive any clubs at all. Phew!!!

wealdroam

I think I would be saying to "Dodgy Golf" something like:

"Your courier decided he couldn't take all your clubs with him. Your remaining clubs are still with me awaiting your collection. Please arrange an appointment with me for collection and note that I will not be paying anything further."

This may be one time when paying by bank transfer was useful... at least he doesn't have card details he can charge the second collection to.