Implications of cancelling a contract for made to measure blinds.

Willis75

It probably is a bit of a wierd one. Ordered made to measure blinds for the whole house from a small family run business. So did my daughter. We each have an invoice/ order for the goods. Stipulates only 24 to cancel.

The blinds were to be made and fitted 14 days after the order. 21 days later, no blinds, no contact from the company.

I rang..no one answered. I left a message and a text. I emailed. No response. I then went to the shop to see a message: Temporarily closed. Sorry for any inconvenience.

When the owner came to measure he stated that he was having ‘domestic’ issues with his wife and was in a bit of a state.

I have now checked his/ business facebook page to see the same message about the business being temp closed. This message is 14 days old.

I messaged him again to say that whilst I understand he has personal issues could he confirm if he is able to fulfil these orders. Again, no reply.

How long do I have to wait before messaging to cancel! The order comes to £2000. I need blinds..new house, windows without coverings. At what point can I assume he is not going to supply and I order eksewhere. I am worried that he may have made the blinds meanwhile.

Any legal beagles could advise, please?

ThumbRemote

Have you paid yet, or is it payment on fitting?

Willis75

ThumbRemote said:

Have you paid yet, or is it payment on fitting?

Payment in fitting.

TELLIT01

Write to them giving them 'x' days to supply and fit the blinds.  Emphasise that the contract is for fitting in 14 days and it is now well past that.

Willis75

TELLIT01 said:

Write to them giving them 'x' days to supply and fit the blinds.  Emphasise that the contract is for fitting in 14 days and it is now well past that.

That did occur to me. The issue may be that no one visits the shop to collect the mail.

I am understanding that there are problems, but I do find it difficult to understand why there is no response to say the blinds are being made OR, they cannot fulfill the order. With it being a small business I would hate to find further down the line that they have made them.

Another issue is, unless I order now from another company it will be January before I get blinds. Sick of having paper up at the windows.

ThumbRemote

It's not your problem if nobody collects their mail. All you can do is try to get in touch. You can send the same message by post email and Facebook to try and get in touch. 

If you order now from another company you do run the risk that the original one will try to fulfil the order and you'll have all the hassle of sorting it out. 

I think at this stage it would be reasonable to give them 7 days to get in touch with you, and if they don't you'll consider the contract at an end. You may be able to get another company booked in to measure up this week, ready to give the go-ahead for manufacturing as soon as the 7 days ends.