Sofaland Ltd gone into administration - where do I stand

[Deleted User]

Hi all

I've recently bought a sofa from sofaland.com in Warrington which is yet to be delivered. After not being able to get on their website today, I searched around on their amazon and ebay pages and noticed that they didn't have any products for sale. I couldn't get through on either of their telephone numbers and emails kept bouncing back. In the end I resorted to finding them on streetview and called the 'Subway' shop on the opposite side of the street who confirmed the shop had closed down. I've since managed to contact their managing director (Michael Savva) who confirmed that the company went into administration last Friday.

Basically, I was wondering where I stand with regards to my order. I paid a £420 deposit on my visa debit card but they insisted that the balance be paid by BACS transfer - £1100 in total.

Thanks

agrinnall

You can try a chargeback for the deposit (which may or may not be successful) but I think for the balance you'll have to join the queue of creditors. It's a pity you didn't use a credit card for the deposit as you'd have been able to claim the whole amount back from the card issuer.

[Deleted User]

That's what I feared. I was under the misguided idea that the Visa debit card provided the same level of protection as a Visa credit card - I know I was wrong now!

Would I need to try and make a claim with the liquidators (if I can find out who they are) but is there any point, I'm sure I'd be a long way down their list.

wealdroam

Deleted_User wrote: »

Hi all

I've recently bought a sofa from sofaland.com in Warrington which is yet to be delivered. After not being able to get on their website today, I searched around on their amazon and ebay pages and noticed that they didn't have any products for sale. I couldn't get through on either of their telephone numbers and emails kept bouncing back. In the end I resorted to finding them on streetview and called the 'Subway' shop on the opposite side of the street who confirmed the shop had closed down. I've since managed to contact their managing director (Michael Savva) who confirmed that the company went into administration last Friday.

Basically, I was wondering where I stand with regards to my order. I paid a £420 deposit on my visa debit card but they insisted that the balance be paid by BACS transfer - £1100 in total.

Thanks

You should read MSE's Administration Help article.

[Deleted User]

Thanks. I've spoken to the bank, hopefully I'll get the deposit back but looks like I'm probably £600 odd down due to the BACS thing

Floydmo93

I also purchased a sofa and paid £900 on visa debit card. I was told the sofa would take 4-6 weeks. When it approached the 6 weeks I rang the office. The staff were rude and in helpful and kept telling me it was down to the delivery firm and they didn't have a number for them .... I mean really!! I found the number on Google and when I spoke to the delivery company they advised my sofa had been put on hold and I would have to ring sofa land. Again I rang and spoke to a very rude unhelpful women who advised me to email Michael the director who only had a email address!!
I decided to go to the shop the shutters were down and the man who sold me the sofa was just about to close. Most of the shop was empty I asked for my money back and he said it was nothing to do with him.
I am so mad I paid for the sofa it was a con they are con men. I spoke with another lady who's daughter had paid a 1000 cash for her sofa and it hadnt been delivered.
My bank are looking into and I have spoken with the insolvency service but they are not registered as being in administration yet.
I really need advise where I stand with getting my money back?

Tigsteroonie

Nothing on Companies House yet. Michael Savva is sole shareholder and sole Director. There was a second director but she departed mid-June.

It can generally take a couple of weeks for Companies House to update but, when it does, the appointed Administrators details are given.

[Deleted User]

Did you get the text message from Michael Savvy earlier today regarding the liquidators contact details? When I spoke to him he said they went into administration on Friday. I spoke to companies house this morning and they said that it sometimes takes a while for the liquidators to file the paperwork and for their systems to be updated. If you paid by Visa debit card you should be able to get a chargeback through your bank. Any amounts paid by cash you'll need to register with liquidators but will probably get next to nothing. If you paid any amount by credit card or credit agreement, you should be entitled to the full cost of the purchase - speak with your card people. I'm looking at losing about £600 which is not great - not happy at all!!

wealdroam

Floydmo93 wrote: »

I also purchased a sofa and paid £900 on visa debit card. I was told the sofa would take 4-6 weeks. When it approached the 6 weeks I rang the office. The staff were rude and in helpful and kept telling me it was down to the delivery firm and they didn't have a number for them .... I mean really!! I found the number on Google and when I spoke to the delivery company they advised my sofa had been put on hold and I would have to ring sofa land. Again I rang and spoke to a very rude unhelpful women who advised me to email Michael the director who only had a email address!!
I decided to go to the shop the shutters were down and the man who sold me the sofa was just about to close. Most of the shop was empty I asked for my money back and he said it was nothing to do with him.
I am so mad I paid for the sofa it was a con they are con men. I spoke with another lady who's daughter had paid a 1000 cash for her sofa and it hadnt been delivered.
My bank are looking into and I have spoken with the insolvency service but they are not registered as being in administration yet.
I really need advise where I stand with getting my money back?

Read MSE's Chargeback article.

I assume you have already read the article mentioned in post #4.

Karen47

Hi i too ordered a settee from sofaland and paid £500 deposit on 7th July i only found out by chance yesterday that it had gone into liquidation as i was trying to contact them about delivery dates,i have been in touch with
Aticus Recovery Limited
1 Hanson Road
Aintree
Liverpool
L9 7BP
t: 0844 887 1480
f: 0872 111 6507
these are the company who are sorting through Sofa land's mess,not sure if you have this info.

[Deleted User]

Thanks Karen, same thing happened to me on Sunday. I've spoken to Dan at Aticus, not much else I can do. I hope you manage to get your deposit back.