2008
Advice for customers of collapsed companies
Consumer Direct North East has issued advice to customers of two double glazing and home improvements companies that have gone into receivership. Budget Windows of Stockton and Pennine of North Tyneside have both ceased trading over the Christmas period and separate administrators have been appointed to try and save the businesses.
7 January 2008
Consumer Direct is worried about their customers who will be at various stages in their relationships with the companies. At one end are those customers who have only recently contracted and have paid a deposit but no work has yet been done. At the other are those who have had the work completed and have concerns about the validity of any warranty issued.
We understand that Pennine customers who have paid a deposit with a cheque that has not yet been cashed will have those cheques returned to them. Customers need to examine all of their paperwork, including the contract with the company and any finance documents. If customers paid for all or some of the work using a loan that the company arranged, or with a credit card, they will probably be able to seek compensation from the finance company for any work outstanding or not satisfactorily completed.
If work has started but not been completed, customers may have to pay for the work carried out so far. Customers in this position should contact the administrators to see what plans, if any, have been made to complete.
If the work has been completed, customers should check any warranty documents. A warranty may still be valid, if it is supported by an insurance company, or other organisation, independent of Budget Windows or Pennine. We understand that Pennine customers will probably have a warranty provided by QANW Services Ltd. Guarantee and customers should contact them on 01292 268 020 to confirm that their warranty is valid.
Customers of Pennine with a deposit concern should call the administrators BDO Stoy Hayward on 0191 215 3000 and ask for customer services. Customers with other concerns should call 0800 225 522. In either case they can write to the administrators at BDO Stoy Hayward, c/o North Tyne Industrial Estate, Whitley Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE12 9SZ
Customers of Budget Windows should contact Ian Green or Nick Reed at PricewaterhouseCoopers on 0113 289 4000 or they can write to them at 33 Wellington Street, Leeds, LS1 4JP.
Customers who would like to discuss their situation should call Consumer Direct on 08454 040506
Further information and advice is available by calling Consumer Direct on 08454 040506
-ends-
Media contact: For further information please call Sue Gungaram, Communications and Liaison Officer (NE) on (01642) 495 681.
Notes for Editors
1. Consumer Direct is a telephone and online consumer advice service, managed by the Office of Fair Trading and delivered working in partnership with Local Authority Trading Standards. It provides clear, practical consumer advice to help consumers resolve problems and disagreements with suppliers of goods or services.
2. Consumer Direct North East, based in Redcar, was launched in May 2006. The service is the latest addition to the Consumer Direct network. There are now eleven regional operations in England, Wales and Scotland.
3. The service is delivered through contact centres across England, Scotland and Wales and is available to consumers via a single, telephone number and the Consumer Direct website (www.consumerdirect.gov.uk).
4. The information and advice helpline is available on 08454 04 05 06 from 0800-1830 Monday to Friday, and 0900-1300 Saturday, excluding bank holidays and public holidays.
5. To call a Welsh speaking Consumer Direct adviser, telephone 08454 04 05 05. Minicom users should call 08451 28 13 84.
6. Calls cost a maximum of 4 pence per minute from a BT landline. Calls from mobiles or other networks may vary. Your service provider may charge a minimum cost per call. The advice and information given is free.
7. Since it was first launched in 2004, Consumer Direct users have saved significant amounts of money through refunds, replacements and repairs. In a 2005 survey, over 86 per cent of callers said they would recommend the service to friends and family.
