To report their business???

[iloveberries]

I used a small business for a £200 project.

They did an awful job and I complained and they offered to give the money back. The money never materialised and they have no refused to give the money back.

I don't know how to handle this. Part of me thinks I should just let it go but £200 is a lot of money.

I have tried to find their business online but apart from a Facebook page there is no record, no company accounts, no record of registration etc. I don't know if they pay tax - or even if you need to if you're a small business!

I don't want to write them a crappy review on their business Facebook page but I am really annoyed that they've taken my money, done a crap job and then said they'll refund then changed their mind.

Small claims court?

I don't know if I can do that... Would it end up costing me?

I was thinking of reporting their business as I'm pretty sure they don't pay tax. But I don't know if there is any exemption on small businesses and tax?

Report to whom?

Most of that Company registration stuff applies to Limited Companies and Partnerships but not sole traders.

They should pay tax on earnings like anyone - you could try "shopping" them to HMRC if you like but given their lack of interest in my sister's ex who is a self-confessed and very proud tax dodger and benefit cheat, I wouldn't hold your breath.

If you want your £200 you could use small claims as suggested but that may or may not work - even with judgement in your favour (which I got once) it's hard to get them to pay up.

If you paid by credit card, the card company is jointly liable - Section 75

Small claims is £25 if you do it online -

www.gov.uk/make-court-claim-for-money/court-fees

I used to work as a sole trader and so none of my accounts were public and I was not listed with Companies House. Is there a Ltd at the end of the company name?

No...

I'm so angry they just now aren't replying to me. I don't want to go and write rubbish reviews on their Facebook page but don't know what to do

Small claims takes a vey long time.. I am going through a claim at the moment and it has taken nine months to get to having to be notofied of a court date..
and before you get somewhere, you will need to go to court.. there are extra costs that appear as time goes on.,

it may not worth the cost per hour of your time to go through the whole thing for just £200.

get advice from c.a.b.

I don't understand why you are unwilling to write a review on their FB page?
If what you write is honest and shows up their business to be crappy or rubbish, then that is their fault not yours!
You'd be doing a favour to any other potential customers who might also get ripped off.
It seems like a FB review may be your only effective recourse in any case, based on what pp's have said. Do it!

I will probably write the review but it's a friend of a friend's business so a bit awkward. I genuinely don't want to be difficult but I don't really know what else to do

I would message through Facebook to ask for the money to be paid as a matter of urgency as you'd rather not have to write a bad review and pursue it though the small claims court.

Could you pm them saying you'll write an honest review if they don't cough up?

Yes - I could do both those things. I just feel so awkward because it's a friend of a friend but it is business I guess....

The last couple of times I have PMd them they have just ignored me

Judge Rinder?

Business is business. Your friend might feel awkward, but is that worth being £200 out of pocket?

Friend-focused option: tell friend and ask their advice on how to handle it.

Businesslike option: contact business, threaten with small claims court and bad Facebook review, if no satisfaction then follow through on that.

Unless your friend referred you to the business in the first place I'd go for the second one personally.

Spoke to my friend who was of the mindset that "business is business" and what they'd done isn't good....

Well crack on with it then.