Purple Brick poor service

Philpepp

Hi any advice would be appreciated. We have been going through a complaint procedure with purple bricks since last year. They gave poor service and communication was virtually non existent from the agents. We have been through the ombudsman and they still feel we owe PB due to the contract,  though uphold our complaints and suggest a small discount. We have to make a decision to accept this or wait to see if PB takes us to court. 

With PB potentially folding, is this likely? They were so poor that we feel agrieved handing over any money. We had to relist with another agent, and did sell, so this would be extra cost....I suppose we are thinking in a predatory way now, due to the PB situation...

JReacher1

Debts don’t tend to disappear when a company folds. Would assume your debt has transferred to strike now. Suspect you’ll have to pay eventually. 

theartfullodger

It's recently sold for just £1. Rather overpriced I thought.

Grizebeck

Only a court can order payment

summer_daze009

theartfullodger said:

It's recently sold for just £1. Rather overpriced I thought.

I disagree. If I was in my local Poundland and saw it on the shelf I would definitely put it in my shopping basket 

eddddy

Philpepp said:

With PB potentially folding, is this likely? They were so poor that we feel agrieved handing over any money. We had to relist with another agent, and did sell, so this would be extra cost....I suppose we are thinking in a predatory way now, due to the PB situation...

As others mention, their business has been sold to Strike. So you now owe the money to Strike. So I guess you will still be chased for the money.

If PB did go bankrupt, an Administrator would be appointed to collect all the money owed to them - including what you owe. (So that it could be distributed to the creditors.)

So your debt wouldn't disappear.

eddddy

.... and also bear in mind the Ombudsman should be more biased towards you than a court would be.


For example, the Ombudsman might order an Estate Agent to pay you compensation for 'Poor Service' or for 'Breaching the Code of Conduct".

But a court won't do that.

In a court, you have to show that the Estate Agent breached the contract, misrepresented something or was negligent. Which could be much tougher.

Jonboy_1984

Administrators are likely to be more aggressive chasing a debt than the original company, they have a duty to fill their boots maximise revenue for creditors, and no need to worry about reputation for further business.

NameUnavailable

PB has been sold (to Strike) for £1 as said, so they haven't folded, the business still exists.

Have PB offered a discount following the complaint and review? If you aren't happy you can let PB take you to court and defend the case then but if you lose you'll have their costs to pay as well as the original debt.

I guess it's a case of how confident you feel.

Philpepp

OK, thanks for the advice.

We were worried about incurring court fees etc, so I guess we'll take the hit and pay the reduced amount. 

Thanks again.

Grizebeck

Philpepp said:

OK, thanks for the advice.

We were worried about incurring court fees etc, so I guess we'll take the hit and pay the reduced amount. 

Thanks again.

No dont do that at this point in time
Court fees on the small claims track are very small
I would wait until you get at least a letter before claim before acting