If I could give zero stars I would
If I could give zero stars I would. We purchased a 2 seater sofa on 14/09/21 and were given a delivery date of 15/12/21, but to expect a month delay at worst. On 15/01/22 we were advised there would be a further delay due to COVID and delivery problems. Delivery would now be mid March; 3 extra months. Mid March has come and gone and now, after chasing multiple times I'm being told the sofa will be in the warehouse on the April 4th 2022. As others have said, a trail of lies and dangling carrots appear to be the common approach taught to staff at all levels. Meanwhile they have my £529 deposit and close to 7 months on, 4 months over the original 3 month delivery date, I still have no sofa. As others have said buy elsewhere, because buying from FABB sofas is like throwing cash out of a moving car, that's many customer's experience. AHF are refusing a refund despite not honouring the terms of the contract and delivery dates promised, and by some margin at that. I have paid by VISA debit and have instructed my bank, NATWEST, to request a charge back on the basis that this company has failed to deliver services or honour their terms of delivery. They have failed us very badly. I'd strongly suggest others in a similar position do the same before it is too late; there can be limits on how long you have to do this, so do not wait too long. I have also registered a dispute via the furniture ombudsman. I have never had to do this but there's being asked to be patient and being taken advantage of for being patient. AHF need to recognise that poor business ethics, and a blatant disregard for their customers is not acceptable, and will not be tolerated. Taking responsibility for their failure to deliver to delivery times needs to be taken seriously. It is no one else's fault but their own and there should be consequences for companies that employ unethical tactics like this. Taking money and not delivering goods is deceitful at best and theft at worst. I have legal insurance with my house insurance and will be taking legal advice in addition to the steps taken already. Consumers have rights, they are there to protect us all from unscrupulous companies willing to hold onto our hard earned cash for unreasonable periods of time whilst withholding the product they are contracted to deliver. Further advice can be gained through citizens advice refunds or the Visa chargeback process where the contract between seller and buyer is broken by the seller failing to deliver the service within the time frames agreed. (See 2015 Consumer Rights Act section 28) A contract is considered broken by the trader if they exceed the agreed date for the delivery of goods) Unlimited delays are not acceptable.
What if a trader has a 'no refunds' term written in the contract?
A trader is not allowed to exclude or restrict your legal rights in any way. If you inadvertently agree to a term in a contract that excludes or restricts your rights, you are not bound by it because it is considered an 'unfair term'. The 'Unfair terms in consumer contracts and notices' guide gives more information. If a trader tries to restrict or exclude your rights report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service.
If a trader had a 'no refunds' policy, it is likely to be an unfair trading practice. The Consumer Protection from Unfair Trading Regulations 2008 prohibits unfair trading practices. If you think a trader is trading unfairly report it to the Citizens Advice consumer service for referral to trading standards.
March 26, 2022
Unprompted review