whats up with Country Covers?

[Blue Lizard]

Still currently active as per Companies House (under Company No. 03371360).

Most Trading Standards depts do not now deal with consumer issues in first instance (if at all!) - better off a call to Citizens Advice Consumer Service on 03454 040506 to get your complaint logged and seek advice (they'll tell you to write to the trader first, quoting Sale of Goods Act/Distance Selling and then progress to Small Claim if no joy).

Depending upon your payment method and total amount of the order, best option may be to pursue through your credit card provider (if you paid on it) as a S75 complaint (under Consumer Credit Act 1974). Otherwise, if you used a Visa debit card, then you could request a chargeback through your bank, but these do not carry the same weight (or have the statutory basis) as a S75 claim (lesson being to always use a credit card on purchases of £100-£30K, even if only using it for a deposit!).

Just looking at the t&c's on their website, it appears that they haven't had a Trading Standards eye over their online presence yet as many of their terms appear contrary to consumer protection legislation (i.e. 'we don't give refunds/credit notes only' - with few exceptions in consumer sales, that's a definite no-no!).

I have no horse in this race and have never used the company, but am just speaking as an ex-TS Fair Trading Officer and giving the advice I would have given to any consumer in this situation when I was in role. IME, clear and concise letters (sent Recorded Signed For and with a copy retained) which stick to the facts and quote the relevant legislation are always better than emails or phone calls once things go sour, and easier to present as part of a S75 claim/Particulars of Claim.

(Sorry, just got back into my old work/advice mode there for a minute! Hope it works out)

[Strangely Brown]

Trading Standards might be a useful next stop, ooman.

We used to deal with them in their Arktis guise and always found them to be very good at customer service and their kit was the best then available. It's a shame to think things may have changed...

That's my experience with them as well, however I didn't see them at this years Trafalgar meeting.

[Maggot]

I have always done well with CC.

A lot of small companies do become swamped with orders, they can run very close to the line regarding cash flow and/or staffing so delays can easily snowball.

This is not me making excuses for them, but I know of other companies that have a good rep but hardly ever answer an email and are very slow to deliver.

It seems one good show and the aftermath of orders all but cripples them.

It is one of the problems with the net etc, it is easy to give a good glossy impression but often the nuts and bolts are far from.

I sent someone a cheque for some bullets a week and a half ago, I chased them up yesterday.

"Remind me" was the first reply

Then "Oh yes I have got a couple of cheques on my desk but we have been at a show (a week ago) and all the stuff is still in the bins we use to move it about".

Not ideal, fine, but why not tell me that.

So I order some online, fine I think, in stock, they take my money....then I get an email.

"We do not currently have any of these in stock, we will email the supplier and see how long they are going to be"

I know this, this is why I ordered from you because you did not say you had none in stock...FFS!!!

[rodp]

Haven't heard anything going around the trade ?? And we're such a small niche market news usually goes around like wildfire .

[dromia]

Welcome rodp.

Why not introduce yourself on the new members forum?

[rodp]

Done

[the running man]

I found them to be a pain Wen I ordered my trousers 3 year ago....it took 2 months to arrive,but it has to be said they are the best waterproofs I've ever had,tough and strong,breathable and one can live in them all week without Betty swallocks!

[Frere]

hello folks,

Very many thanks for the replies with advice. It is kind and appreciated.

Here is an update. Gave them a call just now. Falklands trousers and shemagh should be delivered tomorrow, smock next week. They did at least apologise at the end of the call.

Now to wait a little more...

Best wishes,

Frere