Press releases
18 October 2006
Consumer Direct's Advice to Farepak Customers.
Customers and agents who have lost money as a result of Farepak Food and Gifts Ltd going into administration have a right to claim against the company, but they should be aware that their claims may take some time to be processed with no guarantee of reimbursement, advises Consumer Direct.
Customers and agents are advised to send notice of any claim by post to Farepak Food and Gifts Ltd – in Administration, King’s Wharf, 20-30 Kings Road, Reading, Berkshire RG1 3EX, by email to customer.claims@farepak.co.uk or by fax to 01793 606057.
Customers should include the amount of money claimed, when and how it was originally paid, and any copies (not originals) of payment receipts.
Carol Brady, Operations Manager from Consumer Direct said: ‘We have received many calls from Farepak customers who want to know if they can get their money back. While we would encourage people to claim if they have lost money, we also want to ensure that people understand that there are no guarantees of reimbursement.
‘When companies go into administration customers are deemed to be unsecured creditors and are therefore potentially at the end of a long list of other creditors who are paid first. Only after these payments have been made (and if there is any money leftover) can the administrators consider reimbursing affected customers.’
The Joint Administrators have informed customers that the company is unable to deliver any orders for hampers, vouchers or gifts. In addition, they have posted some important advice for customers and agents:
- No further money should be sent to the company. Any documentation should be retained at the present time and not sent to the company.
- No further money should be given to any Farepak agents.
- Any money collected by agents from customers which has not been paid to the company should be returned to customers and their payment book signed to show the money has been returned.
- Customers and agents with Direct Debits should cancel any Direct Debit instructions with their bank.
- The choice vouchers which some customers may hold will not now be honoured. These should be included as part of the claim to the Joint Administrators.
For further details and instructions on where to register a claim for your loss go to the company website at www.farepak.co.uk. or contact Consumer Direct on 08454 04 05 06 or visit the website at www.consumerdirect.gov.uk.
NOTES
- Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service managed by the Office of Fair Trading. It offers consumers clear, practical and impartial advice and information.
- Consumer Direct has around 350 trained advisers in 11 centres based in London, the South East, the South West, the East of England, the West Midlands, the East Midlands, Wales, Yorkshire and the Humber, the North West, the North East and Scotland.
- The information and advice helpline is available on a single national telephone number - 08454 04 05 06 from 0800 – 1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900 – 1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
- A Welsh-speaking Consumer Direct service is available on 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
- Calls to the Consumer Direct 0845 numbers are charged at no more than four pence per minute from a BT landline. Call charges from other landline providers or mobile phones may vary. Please check the rate with your phone service provider.
MEDIA enquiries:
Frank Shepherd: 020 7211 8133
