Moda Garden Furnishing 2023 Administration Scandal and losing over £1,100

[AuntyVibes]

Moda Furnishings Limited went into administration on 14 July 2023, and all company assets were handed over to appointed administrators. Since then, the company has been bought by new owners, Giomani Designs Limited, and the business now trades under new ownership.

(I cut and paste that first bit) I lost out to the tune of around £1,100. I never got my money back and I received no furniture. I went to Citizens Advice, there was little they could do. I didn’t have a credit card at the time and was buying on my debit card. The employee that I was dealing with for the sale (over the phone and via email) advised the payment didn’t go through and could I pay by invoice instead.

I didn’t think there was anything wrong at the time, but several weeks later when I received the email about the administration, I felt like the company stole my money along with many others.

I contacted Citizens Advice, my bank, the company, no one was able to get the help I needed to get my money back. I didn’t employ a solicitor for this and don’t have house contents insurance.

Did this happen to others?
Is there anyone that got their money back?
It nothing else, it would be really interesting to hear others stories, I empathise with anyone this has happened to. Perhaps there is something we can do with our stories, to turn something negative into something positive somehow! Open to ideas on what that might be. My first post as OP. Thanks for your kindness and insights.
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I am so sorry to hear this.

It's too late for you but everyone should be told that if you are paying for things in advance that you need to pay by card (preferably a credit card).

Also companies should be forced to ring fence money that customers have paid in advance but I can't see that happening as most companies would go bust as they rely on this cash for cash flow.

Thank you @MustTryHarderAndHarder

I appreciate your comments and ideas. It really can happen to anyone! I’m usually careful with my money, in this instance I was much less so and got caught out by my mistakes. Hopefully others won’t make the same mistake.

Although, I should add that even paying by card is not fool-proof as there are lots of loopholes that the card companies can use to get out of paying.

Basically, you are taking a risk however you pay as there is so little consumer protection when a company goes but. You are just treated as an ordinary creditor and so will probably get nothing back if the card issuer does not pay out.