People who have shopped with fashion retailer Missguided have been issued a warning about refunds. Customers have reportedly been told that they will not get refunds worth hundreds of pounds after the firm went into administration.
The Manchester-born fast fashion website collapsed in May, when it went into administration because it owed suppliers millions of pounds. Missguided hired a company called Teneo to run the administration process.
But Teneo has left shoppers furious after it told them their refunds won’t be honoured. People have taken to social media to voice their anger.
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Shoppers typically face a battle to get their money back when a company goes bust, due to them owing money to creditors, says the Mirror. Mike Ashley's Frasers Group has agreed to buy Missguided in a deal worth around £20million but the sale is not expected to complete until August.
Missguided customer Emma Devlin, 30, a teacher from Teesside, told The Mirror she is waiting for a refund for £160 worth of clothes. Emma said: "It’s pretty shambolic as so many people have paid for items, returned them and lost out on all of that money.
"With the cost of living at the moment, people are needing all the money they can get. Missguided have pretty much taken the money with no explanation other than an apology for going into admin."
Another shopper said: "Can’t believe I sent my items back and now being told I’m not getting a refund. So now I’m without the items and down £70." One customer took to Twitter that she was "freaking out" after being told she would not be refunded.
She shared a text from administrators at Teneo which read: "We will not be able to honour any pre-appointment refunds requested and not yet settled. In this case, you can make a claim in the administration process."
Many other people received the same message from Missguided after asking about a refund. They're not happy at all.
@amyturnerxox tweeted: "Never in my life will I order with Missguided again or whatever the new one is called. Took my money haven’t sent my parcel and won’t refund me." @AlekaSof tweeted: " @Missguided have gone into administration and are now refusing to give me my refund? companies like you deserve to go bust. I want my money back!"
@Bethhwhite1 blasted: "As if missguided are saying to me they won’t refund any orders placed before 30th May because of there administration so I got no order & no money back ??? Make that make sense pls." @MeganBirks01 wrote: "Looks like I’m not getting a refund off Missguided absolutely disgusting how they are treating their customers."
The Missguided website is currently down with shoppers unable to browse or place orders due to “maintenance pixies”.
“Our maintenance pixies are currently working their magic on the site,” a message reads. We'll be back with you soon, in the meantime check out our blog or get help on an existing order through our customer care team…”
It comes a day after Frasers confirmed that it will rehire Missguided founder Nitin Passi to become the company's chief executive once the takeover it completed. Mr Passi left the business in April as the group sought a new owner.
If you've been told by Missguided that it won't refund you, you may also be able to use other methods of reclaiming your cash. First, there is Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act or the Chargeback scheme.
Section 75 can be used for credit card spends that have gone wrong, for purchases worth between £100 and £30,000. This is because the Consumer Credit Act dictates that your card provider is jointly liable, as well as the company you purchased from.
Debit card payments, cheques and transfers not covered by the Consumer Credit Act might qualify for the Chargeback scheme instead. Sadly this isn’t enshrined in law, so there is no guarantee you'll get your money back.
You'll need to contact your bank or card provide to start either process. Buy Now, Pay Later customers should speak to their lender and ask if they can sort out a refund.
Teneo declined to comment on the decision not to pay out refunds.
