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Furniture firm fails to deliver
ANGRY customers descended on a Salisbury-based furniture company at the end of last week, after rumours circulated that the company was in financial trouble and might not be able to fulfil orders valued at thousands of pounds.
Disgruntled customers of Lifestyle Furnishings, at the Dolphin Industrial Estate, off Southampton Road, have been complaining that goods ordered as far back as last December have so far failed to arrive.
The firm's managing director, Sean Haines,said: "It's true the company has had some financial trouble but we are not just shutting the doors to people and going into hiding. The customers are our absolute priority and we will do all we can to ensure they are satisfied.
"I am in the process of writing to all of our customers with outstanding orders to tell them that their money is safe.
"We have insurance to protect our customers in case the company has financial trouble and there really is no reason to worry.
"Anyone with an outstanding order can have a full refund if they wish or they can wait and we will do our best to facilitate their order as best we can."
But worried customers have said they have requested refunds and are currently still waiting to be reimbursed.
Derick Ransome, a property maintenance worker from Salisbury spent £1,000 on a sofa and two armchairs which were never delivered.
He said: "I ordered a furniture set in December and when it hadn't been delivered in time I phoned to complain.
"I was told that my order was being processed and that it would be with me in a further two weeks.
"That never happened and I asked for a refund of the full amount to be sent to me. The cheque never came and so I came down to the store to see what was going on.
"A thousand pounds is a lot of money and there is also the principle of taking money and not delivering the goods in return, which I find appalling. I just hope that they can find some way to sort this out."
Paul Kent, a scrap metal dealer from Salisbury, who paid for a £600 sofa from the company 12 weeks ago, was similarly aggrieved.
He said: "After phoning to complain that my order hadn't been delivered and being told that it would take another few
weeks, I asked for a refund.
"When that didn't arrive, I came down to the shop to see what was going on. I saw a man in the car park who I thought might be one of the directors but it turned out he was another customer in the same situation.
"It sickens me that something like this can happen and it looks like there are quite a few people have been caught out here."
9:53am Tuesday 22nd April 2008
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CommentPosted by: daya, cardiff on 11:17am Fri 25 Apr 08
Unfortunatly Mr Sean Haines owes thousands of pounds to his suppliers, hence why they can not deliver. His other Store/Company in Warminster has already closed down leaving mass debt too. CCJ's alone stand in excess of 63k. As for Mr Haines insurance claim i would very much doubt that is true and would urge all customers of this Company to get your money back as soon as possible. Dont wait on promises it will not happen i assure you as a former supplier.
Unfortunatly Mr Sean Haines owes thousands of pounds to his suppliers, hence why they can not deliver. His other Store/Company in Warminster has already closed down leaving mass debt too. CCJ's alone stand in excess of 63k. As for Mr Haines insurance claim i would very much doubt that is true and would urge all customers of this Company to get your money back as soon as possible. Dont wait on promises it will not happen i assure you as a former supplier.
Posted by: Eurolord, Salisbury on 6:33pm Sat 26 Apr 08
Do not buy anything from this retailer. I ordered £3000 worth of goods. I was promised delivery in 6 weeks - nothing arrived!!!. I cancelled the order by letter and demanded a full refund, still no reply. Luckily I had payid the deposit by credit card so was able to get my money back. Do not buy from this company.
Do not buy anything from this retailer. I ordered £3000 worth of goods. I was promised delivery in 6 weeks - nothing arrived!!!. I cancelled the order by letter and demanded a full refund, still no reply. Luckily I had payid the deposit by credit card so was able to get my money back. Do not buy from this company.
Posted by: concerned, salisbury on 11:16am Mon 5 May 08
Has there been any progress on this problem ? A friend of mine, who ordered in December, is still waiting for delivery and has not heard from the company. He has not received a letter from Sean Haines and has not received a refund that he requested.
Has there been any progress on this problem ? A friend of mine, who ordered in December, is still waiting for delivery and has not heard from the company. He has not received a letter from Sean Haines and has not received a refund that he requested.
Posted by: hobnob, Sarum on 6:46pm Sun 11 May 08
I had ordered a sofa back in January - today went in to find out what the position was. I was told that the company was now in administration, but that some orders (and I was shown a sheaf of paperwork which included my details) would be honoured by the manufacturer, but that I would be expected to pay the manufacturer directly upon delivery the balance of what I owe. I'm wondering if this might be because the amount still to pay is greater or equal to the real worth of the sofa + delivery? Luckily I had paid less than half of the asking price as my deposit. Apparently the manufacturer will be contacting me next week - we'll see ....
I had ordered a sofa back in January - today went in to find out what the position was. I was told that the company was now in administration, but that some orders (and I was shown a sheaf of paperwork which included my details) would be honoured by the manufacturer, but that I would be expected to pay the manufacturer directly upon delivery the balance of what I owe. I'm wondering if this might be because the amount still to pay is greater or equal to the real worth of the sofa + delivery? Luckily I had paid less than half of the asking price as my deposit. Apparently the manufacturer will be contacting me next week - we'll see ....
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