Who Do I Report A Company To?

[sairk]

Hi I placed an order for a custom made bed in February and paid quite a substantial deposit. They have since came up with excuse after excuse as to why they have not finished my bed or why they can't deliver it on the days they promised.
They assured me it would be delivered AGAIN today but have not been in touch and are not replying to my messages. They have never asked for my address so I know they are not coming.
I have to assume that they have never intended on making me a bed and have taken my deposit and ran.
I have tried looking up the business address but it appears they are not registered as a business.
I need to try and get my deposit back and report them so they don't treat anyone else like this.
Please could someone tell me where to start I have no idea.
Thanks

[Cloverjo]

Try Trading Standards.

[murraymints]

Agree first stop trading standards ....if you go through local council switchboard...that's where mine is anyway....they can tell you if there have been any other complaints against this company ....they will advise on course of recovery, most likely small claims court action and the correct procedures to follow....

[Peter Pedant]

It looks as tho you are going to have to sue by yourself in the small claims court.

to get your money back. CAB may help - there are a lot of threads on this on this site.

Mine on 23rd Sep was censored for some reason

Search on this site for Peter Pedant Statement

(that would be for statement of claim)

or Buenchico Small Claim recorded delivery

( which gives a step by step uncensored process)

You start off with a 'letter before action' - BC gives a template which basically says pay up you B+stards or I burn you
( you can see why mine was censored)

[sairk]

Thanks guys

[hc4361]

How did you pay the deposit? If you paid it by credit card you have rights under s.75 of the Consumer Credit Act. That means that you can get your money back from the credit card company if the deposit was greater than £100.

[ummmm]

I don't mean to go off topic (I don't have a CC) but do the CC company then chase the debt?

[murraymints]

Peter...nothing quite like saying it as it is ! Lol

[murraymints]

Ummm the cc legal dept takes it up....I've done this myself with visa..they pursued someone on my behalf ,after reimbursement, and got dosh back eventually...

[hc4361]

Yes, they do, ummm.

It is fantastic for the buyer - you can get your money refunded relatively quickly but not so good for the retailer who could be at the receiving end of fraud. If the credit card company believes the buyer the payment will be reversed.

It is very well explained here:
http://www.barclaycard.co.uk/business/existing-customers/chargebacks/

[ummmm]

Cheers, I might get one for larger purchases.

[hc4361]

I use a credit card for every large purchase for exactly that reason.
There is an anomaly that is advantageous to the customer. If the goods or service costs at least £100 you need only pay a small deposit on your credit card to get full cover.
So you buy an item for £1000 and pay a deposit of £20 on your credit card, the rest in cash or on your debit card. The item never arrives. You can claim the full £1000 from your credit card company.
This applies if you buy the item from overseas, too.

Martin Lewis has a great article, naturally. :D
http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/shopping/section75-protect-your-purchases

[Peter Pedant]

dont feel bad Sairk about CCs

The one I was involved in (and was censored) - the site had a non working CC option and so one was forced to do the cash card bit.

[sairk]

Thank you again. Unfortunately I paid by bank transfer and have been told this may be more difficult to get back. I've contacted citizens advice who will get back to me next week and hopefully help me.

[CokeTulip]

If its a Scam - it might be and they may be acting as supplier to others too - their local Chamber of Commerce may have been tipped off and some COC's work very closely with the police and get alerts about scams and broadcast them to their members.

They hate businesses on their patch doing things like this - and they may just be able to give you some information.