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    • Please see my comments in orange within your post.
    • no i meant the email from parcel2go which email address did they send it from and who signed it off (whos name is at the bottom)
    • I understand confusion with this thread.  I tried to keep threads separate because there have been so many angles.    But a team member merged them all.  This is why it's hard to keep track. This forum exists to help little people fight injustice - however big or small.  Im here to try get a decent resolution. Not to give in to the ' big boys'. My "matter' became complicated 'matters' simply because a lender refused to sell a property. What can I say?  I'll try in a nutshell to give an overview: There's a long lease property. I originally bought it short lease with a s.146 on it from original freeholder.  I had no concerns. So lender should have been able to sell a well-maintained lovely long lease property.  The property was great. The issue is not the property.  Economy, sdlt increases, elections, brexit, covid, interest hikes etc didn't help.  The issue is simple - the lender wanted to keep it.   House or Flat? Before repo I offered to clear my loan.  I was a bit short and lender refused.  They said (recorded) they thought the property was worth much more and they were happy to keep accruing interest (in their benefit) until it reached a point where they felt they could repo and still easily quickly sell to get their £s back.  This was a mistake.  The market was (and is) tough.   2y later the lender ceo bid the same sum to buy the property for himself. He'd rejected higher offers in the intervening period whilst accruing interest. Lenders have a legal obligation to sell the property for the best price they can get. If they feel the offer is low they won't sell it, because it's likely the borrower will say the same. I had the property under offer to a fantastic niche buyer but lender rushed to repo and buyer got spooked and walked.  It had taken a long time to find such a lucrative buyer.  A sale which would have resulted in £s and another asset for me. Post repo lender had 1 offer immediately.  But dragged out the process for >1y - allegedly trying to get other offers. But disclosure shows there was only one valid buyer. Again, points as above. Lender appointed receiver (after 4 months) - simply to try acquire the freehold.  He used his powers as receiver to use me, as leaseholder, to serve notice on freeholders.  Legally that failed. Meanwhile lender failed to secure property - and squatters got in (3 times).  And they failed to maintain it.  So freeholders served a dilapidations notice (external) - on me as leaseholder (cc-ed to lender).   (That's how it works legally) Why serve a delapidations notice? If it's in the terms of the lease to maintain the property to a good standard, then serve an S146 notice instead as it's a clear breach of the lease. I don't own the freehold.  But I am a trustee and have to do right by the freeholders.  This is where matters got/ get complicated.  And probably lose most caggers.   Lawyers got involved for the freeholders to firstly void the receiver enfranchisement notice. Secondly, to serve the dilapidations notice.  The lack of maintenance was in breach of lease and had to be served to protect fh asset. Enfranchisement isn't something that can be "voided", it's in the Leasehold Reform Act 1967 that leaseholders have the right to buy the freehold of the property. It's normal, whether it is a "normal" leaseholder or a repossession with a leasehold house, to claim this right of enfranchisement and sell the property with said rights attached and the purchase price of the freehold included in the final completion price. That's likely what the mortgage provider wished to do. The lender did no repairs. They said a buyer would undertake them. Which was probably correct. If they had sold. After 1y lender finally agreed to sell to the 1st offeror and contracts went with lawyers.  Within 1 month lender reneged.  Lender tried to suggest buyer walked. Evidence shows he/ his lawyers continued trying to exchange (cash) for 4 months.  Evidence shows lender and receiver strategy had been to renege and for ceo to take control.   I still think that's their plan. Redact and scan said evidence up for others to look at? Lender then stupidly chose to pretty much bulldoze the property.  Other stuff was going on in the background. After repo I was in touch by phone and email and lender knew post got to me.   Despite this, after about 10 months (before and then during covid), they deliberately sent SDs and eventually a B petition to an incorrect address and an obscure small court.  They never served me properly.  (In hindsight I understand they hoped to get a backdoor B - so they could keep the property that way.)  Eventually the random court told them to email me by way of service.  At this point their ruse to make me B failed.  I got a lawyer (friend paid). The B petition was struck out. They’d failed to include the property as an asset. They were in breach of insolvency rules. So this is dealt with then. Simultaneously the receiver again appointed lawyers to act on my behalf as leaseholder. This time to serve notice on the freeholders for a lease extension.  He had hoped to try and vary the strict lease. Evidence shows the already long length of lease wasn't an issue.  The lender obviously hoped to get round their lack of permission to do works (which they were already doing) by hoping to remove the strict clauses that prevent leaseholder doing alterations.  You wouldn't vary a lease through a lease extension. You'd need a Deed of Variation for that. This may be done at the same time but the lease has already been extended once and that's all they have a right to. The extension created a new legal angle for me to deal with.  I had to act as trustee for freeholders against me as leaseholder/ the receiver.  Inconsistencies and incompetence by receiver lawyers dragged this out 3y.  It still isn't properly resolved. The lease has already been extended once so they have no right to another extension. It seems pretty easy to just get the lawyer to say no and stick by those terms as the law is on your side there. Meanwhile - going back to the the works the lender undertook. The works were consciously in breach of lease.  The lender hadn't remedied the breaches listed in the dilapidations notice.  They destroyed the property.  The trustees compiled all evidence.  The freeholders lawyers then served a forfeiture notice. This notice started a different legal battle. I was acting for the freeholders against what the lender had done on my behalf as leaseholder.  This legal battle took 3y to resolve. Again, order them to revert it as they didn't have permission to do the works, or else serve an S146 notice for breach of the lease. The simple exit would have been for lender to sell. A simple agreement to remedy the breaches and recompense the freeholders in compensation - and there's have been clean title to sell.  That option was proposed to them.   This happened by way of mediation for all parties 2y ago.  A resolution option was put forward and in principle agreed.  But immediately after the lender lawyers failed to engage.  A hard lesson to learn - mediation cannot be referred to in court. It's considered w/o prejudice. The steps they took have made no difference to their ability to sell the property.  Almost 3y since they finished works they still haven't sold. ** ** I followed up some leads myself.  A qualified cash buyer offered me a substantial sum.  The lender and receiver both refused it.   I found another offer in disclosure.  6 months later someone had apparently offered a substantial sum via an agent.  The receiver again rejected it.  The problem of course was that the agent had inflated the market price to get the business. But no-one was or is ever going to offer their list price.  Yet the receiver wanted/wants to hold out for the list price.  Which means 1y later not only has it not sold - disclosure shows few viewings and zero interest.  It's transparently over-priced.  And tarnished. For those asking why I don't give up - I couldn't/ can't.  Firstly I have fiduciary duties as a trustee. Secondly, legal advice indicates I (as leaseholder) could succeed with a large compensation claim v the lender.  Also - I started a claim v my old lawyer and the firm immediately reimbursed some £s. That was encouraging.  And a sign to continue.  So I'm going for compensation.  I had finance in place (via friend) to do a deal and take the property back off the lender - and that lawyer messed up bad.   He should have done a deal.  Instead further years have been wasted.   Maybe I only get back my lost savings - but that will be a result.   If I can add some kind of complaint/ claim v the receiver's conscious impropriety I will do so.   I have been left with nothing - so fighting for something is worth it. The lender wants to talk re a form of settlement.  Similar to my proposal 2y ago.  I have a pretty clear idea of what that means to me.  This is exactly why I do not give up.  And why I continue to ask for snippets of advice/ pointers on cag.  
    • It was all my own work based on my previous emails to P2G which Bank has seen.
    • I was referring to #415 where you wrote "I was forced to try to sell - and couldn't." . And nearer the start in #79 .. "I couldn't sell.  I had an incredibly valuable asset. Huge equity.  But the interest accrued / the property market suffered and I couldn't find a buyer even at a level just to clear the debt." In #194 you said you'd tried to sell for four years.  The reason for these points is that a lot of the claims against for example your surveyor, solicitor, broker, the lender and now the receiver are mainly founded in a belief that they should have been able to do something but did not. Things that might seem self evident to you but not necessarily to others. Pressing these claims may well need a bit more hard evidence, rather than an appeal to common sense. Can you show evidence of similar properties, with similar freehold issues, selling readily? And solid reasons why the lender should have been able to sell when you couldn't.
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Sofa Workshop


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  • 11 months later...
  • 5 months later...

I've read on another forum that three Sofa Workshop stores are about to close soon. This is after the recent buyout. Someone said that the previous owner who has just bought the company has now moved on after just a few months. I don't know what's going on there, but it's worrying for the staff who work very hard and do an enormous job.

 

Maybe a Sofa Workshop employee can tell us? (If indeed they know).

 

I think if I was ordering a new sofa from them it would be prudent not to leave a deposit, but to pay the full price on delivery. When the company was bought early this year the debts from the old Sofa Workshop were left for the administrator to pick up. Staff were not paid either. Many people lost a lot of money. Me included!

 

I've heard that the 'Birmingham store problem' which precipitated the company's downfall is still lurking in the background. When this hits the headlines, my guess is that more than three stores will go. I can't see any company sustaining such an onslaught in the press without folding.

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  • 4 weeks later...

Can someone please spare a thought for the unfortunate staff at Sofa Workshop.

 

They didn't get paid for the last month when the company collapsed and many lost their jobs. Now, those remaining are being threatened with redundancies again because of three stores being on the hit list. I have many friends still working at Sofa Workshop and they are not sleeping at night through all this worry. Some believe they will be out of a job by the end of May. They well remember the fiasco with the administrator, who kept them hanging on until the last day. What a farce.

 

OK, times are hard for retail businesses in this country and it won't get better for a while. I only wish someone at head office had the guts to stop the rot. It's doing the company no good at all.

 

Morale is at an all time low for staff at Sofa Workshop. I still blame the old management team for not helping with the Birmingham store problem. They hid their heads in the sand while fleecing the company and lining their own pockets. Sadly, because of this mis-management, many have lost their jobs.

 

I would advise any new customers not to leave a deposit but to pay only when the furniture is delivered. If not, they will lose their money, as many did last time.

 

Also, I would advise them to check the furniture carefully before the delivery men leave. I have known furniture being delivered with many faults and it has always caused a problem later. These 'service issues' were never dealt with to the customer's satisfaction.

 

Sofa Workshop... No thanks!!!

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  • 4 weeks later...

I would definetly steer clear of sofa workshop as they are about to go under again and any one who has money with them will lose it this time as the deal the new owners took means they can't go into admin for at least two years! which means it will be straight bankruptcy, so absolutly no chance of a refund!

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  • 2 weeks later...

Bond1982, you know too much!!!

 

I've heard the same too. I have friends working at Sofa Workshop. They are saying it doesn't look good for them.

 

Yet again, the company is trying to get money up front from customers. This happened last time before they went under. My friends say they can see the same signs.

 

As always, the advice is.. "Don't leave a deposit, but pay only on delivery."

 

I'd also advise customers to ask in writing for confirmation that the furniture is hand-made in Britain - as the company advertises. When the sales staff refuse to do so, walk out. They know (and so do I) that cheap furniture is coming in from China.

 

Furthermore, the administrator has still not settled outstanding debts the company incurred. I'm still waiting for my cheque!

 

Sofa Workshop is a disgrace!!!

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  • 1 month later...

Bond 1982, you seem to know going on at Sofa Workshop.

 

What's happening at TCR? This was the top performing store before the administrators were brought in. My contact has told me that Sofa Workshop is in trouble again and that TCR will be closing soon. Surely not?

 

Ae they still taking orders at TCR? And what about those members of the public who have paid deposits? I guess they will lose their money again?

 

I'm still waiting for my cheque from the administrator. There are a lot of unhappy people out there waiting for money, not to mention the employees of Sofa Workshop.

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I'm not sure about the closing but it wouldn't surprise me! Tottenham Court Road is not performing how it should at all, but this is the same as most stores. there is a rumor of staff being put on short time! as Martin3030 says in the other post "sofa workshop worries" it doesn't take rocket science to work out that sofa workshop will struggle to survive in this climate. people will lose the deposits or any money that has been exchanged will be lost without any chance of recovery, sad but true. there is poor reviews all over the internet from unhappy customers!

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  • 4 months later...
  • 5 weeks later...
  • 2 weeks later...

I've received an update from Leonard Curtis, the administrators who dealt with the winding up of Sofa Workshop. It details the bullying problems at the Birmingham store and mentions this impending litigation as the main reason why the company had to be sold. Sofa Workshop was terrified of receiving bad publicity nationally. Top London lawyers were lining up to take the company to the cleaners on a massive scale, never before seen in the UK. I've since heard that the BBC are lining up a programme about it. The company can not possible survive this onslaught. Apparently, the bullying was so severe that the woman has not worked since and is now in a psychiatric institution. Directors and management of Sofa Workshop (Past and present) - hold your heads in shame!

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Thanks for update.

It seems there is little on the internet,in the way of any of this.

Look forward to the TV programme.

Presumably,those employees affected could initiate their own legal actions.

Have a happy and prosperous 2013 by avoiiding Payday loans. If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.

Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed.

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

I would be very interested to know the name of the TV programme, if someone could PM me with it, as I really don't want to miss it!

Also in the lastest news, there is now a fight between owners for the position of MD(managing director). A fight because no one wants to do it, no one wants to be at the top when the roof collaspes!!!

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Maybe BBC Midlands may know something-their contact actually posted on CAG recently over other programme info.

 

Why not send a pm to ask ?

 

BBC Birmingham

Edited by MARTIN3030

Have a happy and prosperous 2013 by avoiiding Payday loans. If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.

Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed.

 

 

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  • 1 month later...
  • 4 months later...
The latest news from Sofa Workshop is that all customer service is based on cost, i.e if your problem costs too much they won't fix it!!!!

 

Hello,

 

I have been working for sofa workshop for 5 months now, true i wasnt working for them through the administration, but the company ive seen from the inside now does everything they can for the customer. Also we the staff work very very hard to get the customer what they request and most customer services now are dealt with in a timely manor. As for this quote above if a customer service is not dealt with its because there is nothing wrong with product or is a fault caused by the customer.

 

I hope you take a long hard look at your selves before you judge the staff.

 

Thanks

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Dear caedelus,

 

Whilst I am a vehement promoter of valid debate and welcome your comments, what I will not do is debate with someone who is not as they appear. Having worked at Sofa Workshop for many years I made many long term friends whom I still keep in contact with and I can assure they aren't happy with current trends. In fact the above quote you used came from the mouths of four separate current members of staff.

As for your final comment I can assure that no person on this thread is judging the staff in fact we sympathize with them, whom we are judging is the higher powers.

 

Many thanks

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  • 3 weeks later...

I hope you take a long hard look at your selves before you judge the staff.

 

Thanks

 

Hi,

 

I am not criticising the staff either - just those at head office who brought about the company's downfall by being profligate. I am aware of the enormous waste of money by staff flying all over the country and staying in expensive hotels just to cover for one day or so. I am also aware of the background concerning the company trying to rip off the public at the Birmingham store. I am aware of those at head office who betrayed a member of staff who was being bullied and ended up having psychiatric help because of this. Caedelus, you should be grateful you were not involved with the company before administration.

 

I too am in touch with current employees of Sofa Workshop. There are problems there, believe me. Start to worry if you get a message from head office telling you to get payment for orders upfront. Hope you can sleep at night!!!

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  • 3 weeks later...

The sales staff at sofa workshop on tottenham court road appear professional and trustworthy. They are, however, interested only in sales and do not guide you in any other direction but the sale. After 3 months of waiting, our sofa delivery was a disaster and it was directly due to the salesman at sofa workshop tip toeing around our payinf for an access check, and sending us home to measure up ourselves. He then told us that we were fine and the sofa would fit no problem. There was a problem. And when we spoke to Sofa workshop they told us that it was our fault for not paying £23 for an access check before hand. We paid over £2000 for the sofa and waited 12 weeks. Why would we not pay to be sure of the measurements unless the salesman had insisted we were fine?? When we spoke to the salesman, he said that it was our word against his.Sofa workshop then offered us 2 options: A- they sell it on and charge us £600 to do so, giving us the change in a voucher to be spent in their store. No refunds available. B- We pay a builder to tear out our front windows (£500) and they would wave the window delivery fee!!

Edited by silverfox1961
Removed potentially libellous remarks
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Small piece of late breaking news: The manufactuers have not delivered this months customer orders into Sofa Workshop.

This could be nothing but going on past issues I'm guessing they are on their last legs. I feel really sorry for the staff at Sofa Workshop they just get shoved around pillar to post. But then I suppose the current investigation into Sofa Workshop and their practices isn't helping!

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Thanks for update.

Have a happy and prosperous 2013 by avoiiding Payday loans. If you are sent a private message directing you for advice or support with your issues to another website,this is your choice.Before you decide,consider the users here who have already offered help and support.

Advice offered by Martin3030 is not supported by any legal training or qualification.Members are advised to use the services of fully insured legal professionals when needed.

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
  • 4 weeks later...

HI gang.

 

I have just purchased a sofa from sofa workshop in the sale. Delivery before xmas gauranteed apparently.

I was almost put off buying after all I have read about them recently but decided to give them a go.

Will keep you updated if anything goes wonky.

Enjoyed the whole process so far.

All other high street and retail park sofa shops simpy couldn't match sofa workshop for comfort, choice and price in my quest.

I was very surpised to pay less for what looks like a quality sofa compared to the over proced lumpy tat on show at thier competitors.

Paid 30% deposit and the balance to be paid before delivery.

fingers crossed.

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I really hope they keep to their word. I decided not to go ahead as I wanted a certain fabric ordered and could see that this would be used as an excuse if delivery date was not reached.

The fabric was an O +L and very expensive, they offered a discount on the retail price and I thought that was very generous. If this wasn't so close to Christmas I would have gone ahead.

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