Introduction
Have you recently purchased a product or service only to discover that the company has closed down? This situation can leave you feeling frustrated and uncertain about your next steps. In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential actions you can take to understand your rights and potentially recover your money. If you need further assistance, Contend’s highly trained AI legal experts are here to help you navigate these challenges smoothly. With Contend, you can access the easiest legal help in the UK, ensuring you have the support you need during this difficult time.
If you’ve recently paid for a product or service and the company you bought it from has closed its doors or stopped trading, you might be feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do next. While there are steps you can take to try to recover your money or get the service you paid for, it’s important to know that there’s no guarantee of success. Here’s a simple guide to help you navigate this situation.
Understanding Sole Traders and Partnerships
If you made a purchase from a sole trader (an individual running their own business) or a partnership, they are responsible for fulfilling orders or providing refunds. If they stop trading, you should try to reach out to them directly. You can call, visit their location, or send a letter explaining your situation and what you’re owed.
Finding Out If a Company Has Closed
If you can’t get in touch with the company, or you want to confirm its status, you can check a couple of official sites:
- For limited companies (those with “Ltd” or “Plc” in their name), visit the Companies House website.
- For sole traders or partnerships, search the Insolvency Register using both the individual’s name and their business name.
Keep in mind that it might take a few weeks for updates to appear on these sites.
What If You Booked a Holiday?
If your vacation plans are affected, you can check if the travel company has gone out of business through ABTA’s website. If your trip was protected by ATOL, you can also look for information on the CAA website. If you need further assistance, consider trying Contend’s legal expert chat. Their highly trained AI legal experts can provide guidance and help you understand and resolve your legal problems.
Steps to Take If the Company Is Closed
If the company has indeed gone out of business, find out who the administrator or receiver is. This person is responsible for sorting out the company’s debts. You can usually find their contact details on the company’s website.
What You Can Do Next
- Check Return Policies: If you bought an item before the company closed, you might not have an automatic right to a refund unless the item is faulty. Check the company’s return policy, or contact the administrator for guidance.
- Claiming Your Money Back: If you didn’t receive your item or service, you can try to get your money back based on how you paid:
- Debit Card: You can request a chargeback from your bank.
- Credit Card: If the purchase was over £100, you might be eligible for a Section 75 claim, which allows you to claim from your credit card provider.
- Buy Now Pay Later: Contact your provider first, and if they can’t help, you might still ask for a chargeback.
Registering a Claim
If you want to pursue a claim, you should register as a creditor on the GOV.UK website. This means you’ll be listed among those the company owes money to. However, be aware that banks and other larger creditors usually get paid first, so you might not see any money back.
Dealing with Faulty Items
If you have a faulty item, you can try using any warranty or guarantee that came with it to get repairs or a replacement. Alternatively, you can ask the administrator if they can assist you.
Getting Further Help
If you’re feeling stuck or unhappy with how your situation is being handled, you might want to explore alternative dispute resolution options or, as a last resort, consider taking legal action.
If you’re dealing with a limited company that has stopped trading, keep in mind that you cannot take them to court. If the business has been taken over by another company, you can try discussing your issue with the new owners.
For additional support, you can try Contend’s legal expert chat. Their trained AI legal experts can provide you with advice and assistance tailored to your situation.
Navigating the world of business closures can be tough, but knowing your rights and the steps you can take can help you feel more in control. Contend is the Easiest Legal Help in the UK.
For more info, check out some of our related articles:
