Ripped off. Is this fraud?

[yerbamate]

On the 26th Oct 2009, I ordered some earrings on line from a company called subsee.co.uk. I have never received them, and despite lots of emails, have never heard from them. I tried calling the telephone number supplied, but that was unavailable.
I know all about distance selling regs, but it seems that trading standards and this regulation has no power. So this means that they can go on taking peoples money at will!!
They are also charging VAT, which is questionable as to whether they are entitled to do.

Anyone who has any constructive comments, will be very appreciated.
Thank you.

[ChuckFickens]

try calling them

SubSee Ltd
43 Hutton Close, Crowther, Washington, Tyne and Wear, NE38 0AH, UK
Phone: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
Email: [email protected]

[KaptKopter]

That phone number is a dead number

[carrot99]

Have you tried the following numbers/email

Subsee
Phone : [phone]
07860 301041

43 Hutton Close, Crowther, Washington, Tyne and Wear NE38 0AH

Website Link : http://www.subsee.co.uk
Email : [email protected]

[ChuckFickens]

oh,

In that case as answer one said, trading standards and the police!

[yerbamate]

I have tried all the above on numerous occasions.
I believe this is very suspicious, does anyone agree?

[Sandy-Wroe]

Did you use a credit card to pay for the goods? If so, you might be able to get a refund from the CC company.

[Buenchico]

It might not be fraud. It could simply be that the company has gone (or is about to go) bust.

The website (and the associated records on Nominet and the Companies House website) don't ring any of the alarm bells which many 'iffy' websites do. (Dodgy websites tend not to show a postal address, which is illegal for UK web traders. They also tend to be registered to private individuals who claim to be 'non-traders' in order to keep their identity secret. There's no such subterfuge with Subsee Ltd, which has been in existence for 10 years).

Subsee Ltd is probably a one-man business, quite possibly run from a home address. Its website is registered to another company, JFS200 Ltd, which is run from the same address. The owner's name appears to be G. Riddell. If you've been unable to contact him on 0191 417 4050, try phoning 0191 419 0086 (which is listed as a contact phone number for JFS2000 Ltd).

If you still can't contact the company, send a letter (addressed to the Company Secretary) to the address shown on the website. Ensure that your letter is dated and clearly shows the company's name and address, as well as your own. Send the letter by recorded delivery (keeping a copy), demanding a full refund of your money within 7 days, and stating that you'll commence legal action if payment is not received. If no payment is received, use HM Courts Service's online claim service to try to get your money back:
http://tinyurl.com/5kwx6

Chris

[Ramsbottom]

The website itself doesn't ring any alarm bells and the business is registered with Companies House (Company No. 05339360).

I have to check whether you have actually been charged for your purchase, as their terms and conditions state that they will not do so until the item is ready for dispatch. And I would expect them to send a confirmation email when they charge your charge and dispatch the item. Has this been done?

[yerbamate]

Thank you to everyone for your brilliant response. I am working my way through all the advice you have shared. You are all stars.

[grasscarp]

Just to let you know, I had a similar experience with a company registered in USA. My credit card company refunded the money straight away. Never heard any more, except that by googling I found loads of people have been done by the same company, so put my experience on a few websites. The internet is not policed and these very dodgy companies continue to advertise.