Betta Living/Shawbrook issue given Betta Living in administration

emmakatefletcher

I was due my fitted bedroom delivered tomorrow and only found out they'd gone into administration when I rang the delivery company this morning to find out what time they were coming!

We've paid the full amount bar fitting (only ordered on 24 October), and feel like they've taken the money fraudulently. I was told by the delivery company that Betta Living have been taking orders with no intention of manufacturing them!

Have contacted BBC Watchdog already.

SLloyd82

We had our Betta Living kitchen fitted in September and have been waiting for certain parts that arrived either incomplete or damaged ever since. We (ironically) recieved the last part we had been waiting for on Friday and then learned about them going bust on Monday when I tried to call to book a fitter to come back. I have had a quote today of approx £120 to fit the parts and am not expecting to get any money towards it given the situation. Our kitchen was paid for by bank transferred deposit and the rest is on credit with Shawbrook. By the sounds of it, we've got a lot more than some and other than losing out on any guarantee, we'll have a finished kitchen. I wonder if, given that the fitter was paid by Shawbrook paying the money back to us and us paying it to the fitters, we might be able to claim something from Shawbrook. Any thoughts?

Sands830

I am in the same situation as most people on here. I had signed a contract with Betta living for bedroom furniture delivery and installation. I had paid a deposit and a credit agreement with shawbrook. I was expecting delivery today, but when none arrived, I tried calling them, Nebraska navy then came to know. That they have gone bust. I emailed frp advisory- no reply yet and to shawbrook who were non committal and said they were waiting for administrators to tell them what is happening. I then read the small print of the credit agreement with shawbrook and this is what I understand.

1. Section 75 clearly applies to us- I saw it in the small print of the agreement.
2. If the administrators agree to deliver the goods but are unable to install, I can refuse to have the goods as my contract was for delivery and installation, and I can express my dissatisfaction at the quality of the service and use section 75 again.

This is my understanding. I may be wrong, but after reading up section 75 and the contract I feel much more relieved. I was pancking this morning when I came to know that the company has gone bust!

Simonesanders

If Beta Living go under Shawbrook are liable for the guarantee and the other stuff, I have got damage to my wardrobes and it looks like we will be claiming off them. Covered under section 75 for finance just like a credit card.

TW4T50N

So our goods were due for delivery on the 11th November and the refund of the funds for paying the fitter were due that day too.

Knew something was up when I checked my bank in the morning to see the balance hadn't been transferred. Then received a missed call from a Manchester number (assumed it was Betta Living) that day. Returned the call to get the automated message informing me that they had gone into administration - it all started to make sense. Good obviously didn't turn up that day either.

I got a letter from Shawbrooks dated 4th November informing us that the funds had been cleared to Betta Living. Whilst this was fine if all was fine and dandy, they have now transferred the funds BEFORE delivery of our goods and services.

It states in two places of our contract that the funds would not be cleared until AFTER delivery of service and goods. I believe this constitutes a breach of contract? Currently we are now liable for a 3k loan and have nothing to show for it.

I have read a fair few people are also in the same boat regarding early clearance of funds and non-delivery of goods and services. Has anyone started to make headway with a Section 75 claim with Shawbrooks?

We have currently raised a complaint of breach of contract with Shawbrooks whilst we find out what is going on with our furniture.

Orders before 9th of November may be sat at their warehouse/distributor. Called Wards of Wednesbury (wowlogistics.co.uk, 0121 568 8277) to see if our goods were released from factory and they don't have them, making less sense of the funds clearing before delivery of goods and services.

I have heard if Wards do have your goods, you can get them delivered for £350 or collected for £150 - Betta Living owes for the storage of the goods and they are passing that cost onto us, the customers.

Please provide any update or feedback regarding the early payment and lack of goods with Shawbrooks as I'm currently struggling with coming to terms about owing 3k for absolutely nothing.

richrich70

We are in the exact same position as you. Our furniture should have been delivered on the 8th November for fitting on the 11th. The first we knew of them ceasing trading was when we phoned to enquire what time the delivery was going to be. Firstly went straight on to our bank and cancelled direct debit and wrote a letter to Shawbrook stating that they were in breach of contract due to the monies to Beta Living being released on the 1st November prior to receipt of goods and before they ceased trading on the 4th. As yet Shawbrook have sent standard letters and not replied directly to our letter. We have also been informed via the administrator that a company called "We Fit" have purchased the order book and can deliver and install our furniture, however, WE FIT are owned by the ex-management of Beta Living, which we will not be contacting as they sound as corrupt as Beta Living and Shawbrook. We would hope that Shawbrook realise they have breached their contract and cancel the contract, if not, then we will be getting a solicitor involved.

richrich70

Emma, have you had any feedback from Watchdog? We were hoping that a stern letter to Shawbrook expressing their breach of their own T&C's would be enough for them to confirm that the contract was null and void, however, this doesn't appear to be the case. We would be very interested in any developments with the Watchdog route.

DCFC79

richrich70 wrote: »

Emma, have you had any feedback from Watchdog? We were hoping that a stern letter to Shawbrook expressing their breach of their own T&C's would be enough for them to confirm that the contract was null and void, however, this doesn't appear to be the case. We would be very interested in any developments with the Watchdog route.

I would contact Watchdog yourself rather than wait for an update from another poster.

Mr_Tibbs007

Another furious ex Betta Living customer - today we had the call from We Fit who have taken the order book from Betta Living with the same Company Director. Have already paid Betta Living £2000 for bedroom cupboards "We Fit " want the remaining balance up front immediately £700 and this bit is amazing quote " in order for us us to complete your order and deliver it we need an extra £300 on top of your agreed contract price with Betta Living -feel this is blackmail and they are hoping we will go ahead so we don't lose the lot - we feel between a rock and hard place - we know nothing about We Fit have no contract with them not signed anything with them as the Betta Living contact is now worthless - why would we trust them and give them more money with no goods to show for it ??- will say to them if the don't drop the extra £300 and agree to the balance on completion we are going to walk away..... furious :mad::mad: