Scots advised to 'know their rights' amid mass closure of Carpetright stores

Scots have been advised to “know their rights” following the closure of a number of Carpetright stores.

The carpet firm announced it would be closing 20 of their 24 stores across Scotland after appointing administrators earlier this month.

Carpetright’s branches in Bishopbriggs, Dumbarton, Dumfries and Edinburgh Hermiston Gait will continue to trade after a deal was secured with the Tapi Group to purchase 56 stores of the firm’s 272 sites across the UK.

However, just 300 jobs have been saved as part of the deal, with hundreds facing redundancy.

In a statement on its website, the retailer said that customers who have outstanding orders should seek refunds through their card providers, even if their store remains open.

Advice Direct Scotland, which runs the national advice service has now issued guidance to make people aware of their rights as consumers.

This includes what they might need to do to secure a refund for an unfulfilled order as well as what to do if they are in the process of paying for a carpet in monthly instalments.

Customers who paid using a credit card can request a refund by making a Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act claim, provided the amount spent was over £100, which can be done by contacting the credit card provider, through online banking, mobile app or in writing.

Those who paid using a debit card – or who used a credit card but spent less than £100 – can request a refund through a “chargeback claim”.

This type of claim can be made by contacting the debit card provider, again through online banking, mobile app or calling, telling them you wish to make a chargeback claim and stating the full amount paid.

Customers who paid for their goods using a finance deal involving regular repayments should contact the company they used directly to arrange a refund.

ADS added that customers who are still paying off finance they used to purchase goods from Carpetright that are already in their home should continue to make the payments as usual, unless advised otherwise.

The advice service said: “Affected customers can seek help from Advice Direct Scotland in a number of different ways: freephone on 0808 164 6000, and online, web chat and email at www.consumeradvice.scot.

“For Carpetright employees, advice on employment and redundancy rights is also available from advice.scot, by contacting 0808 800 9060 or by visiting www.advice.scot.”

Conor Forbes, policy director at Advice Direct Scotland, said that the “worrying” announcement will have left staff and customers with many questions.

“Consumers who have paid for carpets or flooring that has yet to be delivered will be wondering what they can do to get their money back if their order cannot be fulfilled,” he said.

“Those who bought products using finance should contact the company providing the loan directly. In many cases, this will be Novuna.

“Customers who are still paying off finance they used to purchase goods from Carpetright that are already in their home should continue to make the payments as usual, unless advised otherwise.

“Our advisers can also help inform Carpetright staff who might now be facing redundancy of their employment rights.

“It’s important to remember that help is available, and anyone who is worried can contact one of our specialist advisers for free, impartial and practical advice.”