to request a refund? Please read

[MilaV]

I hired a mailbox from interpostbox.com for a period of 6 months, to use an address for my home-based business. Allegedly, I had access to the mailbox 7 days a week, but for some reason, they completely shut their store for two whole weeks without sending notice to their clients and didn't even pick up the phone in that time. That means that for 2 weeks I couldn't get my mail and didn't know if I would ever. When I called other branches, they said that they had no liason and that they were separate business.

Well yesterday they finally opened again. I went there to recover my mail and asked them what had happened, but I got no explanation apart from that they had had problems with the council. The person in the desk apologized, but I told him as politely as I could that that wasn't enough. I said I didn't trust their service any more and that I wouldn't be using it, and asked for a refund of the money I had already paid (around £200). He said that wasn't posible. I asked him to speak with his manager about it, and he said he would do it, but won't hold my breath hoping to hear from them

What would you do? Is there anywhere I can file a formal complaint about this?

I think you are reasonably entitled to expect a refund for the 2 weeks that your mail was unavailable as a start. If you wish to cancel the contract because of the poor service you probably need to check any documentation that you signed at the time to see if there are any get-out clauses or hints that the service may not be available occasionally. If it is a franchise operation, you could try the parent company.

Thanks for the advice. Is there any organism, like an organization that defends the customers rights, where to complain?

First of all, talk to the manager yourself, don't rely on that person to do it.

Second of all, if it was my company I would refund you a pro-rated amount for the 2 weeks and probably let you out of your contract, but not refund the whole amount. I am assuming you were happy with them until they shut for 2 weeks, of course!

Contact www.consumerdirect.gov.uk . I think you should be refunded two weeks and you should be allowed to leave your contract and get a refund for the remainder of that contract.

There's Trading Standards if you think a product has been missold or misrepresented. Small Claims Court. You could try CAB for advice.