Company has ceased trading and passed our order to a company we've not heard of

deaston

Several weeks ago we ordered a bespoke kitchen from a company who have made things for us in the past.

We heard today that the company has ceased trading due to ill health and have passed our order to 'their partners':

"Please rest assured that your order is in safe hands and will be delivered as stated the first week of December. You will be dealing directly with our partners xxxxxxxx. The price remains £4,233 +VAT."

There's a chance this company are the people who make them anyway on behalf of the company we were dealing with. But we have no real idea.

What are our rights here? We've not actually paid a deposit but, for it to be delivered in the first week of December, I'm worried they've already started work on it. I don't want to pay over £5k for some cabinets we're not happy with.

steampowered

I think the key concern here is that the contract terms with company 2 might not be same as the contract terms with company 1.

For example, if you were promised a 25 year guarantee, you'd want to check that company 2 will honour that.

If the T&Cs are the same, I can't really see a problem. You could send an email to company 2 asking them to confirm they will follow the same T&Cs/guarantees/warranties etc. if you are concerned.

deaston

T&Cs are a good point, not thought about that.

My biggest concern is more the build quality, wood used, design finishes etc. We knew what the build quality of the old company was like, but what if this new company's build quality isn't what we're expecting?

I've got a feeling, because it's bespoke made to our requirements, we can't just say we don't want it and refuse to pay.

unholyangel

deaston wrote: »

T&Cs are a good point, not thought about that.

My biggest concern is more the build quality, wood used, design finishes etc. We knew what the build quality of the old company was like, but what if this new company's build quality isn't what we're expecting?

I've got a feeling, because it's bespoke made to our requirements, we can't just say we don't want it and refuse to pay.

Speak to them first and see whether they're offering the exact same or not, but if the assignment is detrimental to you in any way at all, you will be able to cancel.

Perhaps also research the company and see if anyone has given them reviews. Just bear in mind people are more likely to complain than praise and that some peoples expectations are wholly unreasonable.

deaston

unholyangel wrote: »

Speak to them first and see whether they're offering the exact same or not, but if the assignment is detrimental to you in any way at all, you will be able to cancel.

Perhaps also research the company and see if anyone has given them reviews. Just bear in mind people are more likely to complain than praise and that some peoples expectations are wholly unreasonable.

I've just had an email back from them - turns out they make the kitchens for the small, family run joinery business that has ceased trading. Now I feel quite cheated by the closed company:

"xxxxxxx have been designing and making solid wood bespoke kitchens for over fifteen years. Our bespoke kitchens service starts with; surveying, designing, manufacturing, finishing and organizing fitting."

It actually just outsourced the manufacturing. Shame. I always thought we were supporting a local artisan.

They've started building the cabinets so I guess we'll just go through with it.