All Rounder Cricket in administration but still taking orders and money.

[caringcarer]

My foster son saved his pocket money for about 5 months, added all of his birthday money and I added £200 as part of his big Xmas gift and birthday gift. Total cost was £456 for a Kookaburra cricket bat, knocking in service and a Kookaburra cricket bag. Cricket is his life. It is what makes him want to get up every day. Now I get an email saying they are in administration but still trading. I don't know how they can do this? I Just thought with the cricket season approaching to warn others not to use this scam company. I have asked bank to do recharge but I'm not hopeful of a refund or gaining the cricket bat as now claiming to be in administration. Avoid this company at all cost.

I believe they can trade under the control of the administrator if only to clear stock at best available value.

Think Comet (electrical store) for one example.

Did you pay with a credit card? If so you should be able to claim your money back.

If they have the bat/bag in current stock you should get it - but if they have to order it from Kookaburra then maybe not

I would get on the phone to them first thing tomorrow. They have gone into into administration (it’s been published but you wouldn’t know to ever check) but can at the moment still legally trade to sell off their stock and realise as much cash as they can from the stock they have possession of.

but don’t hang about in calling them and if you are close enough to one of their shops it maybe worth seeing if you can collect the bat if they have one as administrations don’t tend to go on for too long

It’s rubbish luck - if he can’t get the bat it might be a long shot to call out to Kookaburra on socials to see if they might help? Or TMS podcast or other cricket companies?

Being in administration is not the same as the company being in liquidation. Administrators will continue to keep the business running for as long as they can, often until the remaining stock is sold.

A business in administration which is continuing to trade is not a 'scam' company (as you put it), it is perfectly legitimate and has been ascertained to be the best option for all concerned.

Contact the company and ask what is happening with the order.

I’m so sorry. I don’t know where you live but for future, if you’re anywhere near Cambridgeshire, it’s well worth a trip to MrCricketHockey, they’re very knowledgeable, have pretty much everything you could possibly need and have an on site knocking in service. Might be worth reaching out to Kookaburra to see if they cn help, good luck

The administrator can keep the business going to maximise the value and keep it going while trying to find a buyer. Being administration is not the same as being bust.

If the email said in administration but still trading your transaction would have likely gone ahead.

I emailed them but they said as I didn't pay by credit card or PayPal they would not give me the bat. I paid by debit card. I just feel sick as I feel like I am going to have to pay foster son back the money. On the day I ordered it said 6 bats in stock.

You might still be able to chargeback via the bank if goods not delivered. Otherwise you will become a creditor of the company who would be paid from any sale of assets, if after other higher priority ones like suppliers, staff, utilities etc.