E
extopia
Guest
The solicitors for FOKO have written to me threatening me with defamation proceedings over some of the content of this thread. I have removed some over the top comments which could be potentially defamatory.
The extraordinary thing is that they acknowledge that they have difficulties with their suppliers which results in missed delivery dates to customers. It is my view that they should notify their customers up front about the uncertain delivery times. They should also offer a full refund to customers when a delivery date is missed.
They should deal with their business problems instead of threatening a voluntary website service with litigation
I have deleted the allegedly offending comments while I am taking legal advice on them.
Brendan Burgess
Founder Askaboutmoney
Was in FOKO in Blanchardstown yesterday. Decided to purchase a single bed for about €450. Was informed there would be 10-12 week wait for the item (it's flat-pack, by the way, assemble it yourself, sort of like the IKEA model).
Fine, I sez. How much of a deposit would you like? Here was the answer: There was a 20% off sale, and I would have to pay in full in advance to get the discount. Now that's a pretty good return, I suppose, but there was nothing in the small print of the large sale signs to indicate this.
Even if I didn't want to avail of the 20% off, they gave me the option of 50% deposit. But the order would not go in until I paid the rest, at which point the 12 week wait would commence.
Now call me cynical, but here is how I suspect these guys operate.
It's flat pack stuff. Perhaps they keep a stock, perhaps not. Perhaps the manufacturer builds to order, perhaps not. Either way, it should not take 12 weeks to complete. I suspect that FOKO holds onto your money for a couple of months, then puts in the order say 30 days in advance. They receive the item and you collect. Then they pay the supplier perhaps 60 days later (maybe 90). In other words, you pay up front and they have use of your money for 5-6 months. That's a nice positive cash flow.
(Comment deleted as FOKO claimed it was defamatory)
All good furniture stores make you wait a couple of months for the item. But the likes of Arnotts or Brown Thomas take a small deposit and you pay the balance on delivery. (Comment deleted as FOKO claimed it was defamatory)
What does anyone else think? Would be particularly interested to hear from someone in the retail trade. Is this "best practice" or just good business? Can hardly blame them if people meekly accept.
Me? I walked out and took my business elsewhere.
The extraordinary thing is that they acknowledge that they have difficulties with their suppliers which results in missed delivery dates to customers. It is my view that they should notify their customers up front about the uncertain delivery times. They should also offer a full refund to customers when a delivery date is missed.
They should deal with their business problems instead of threatening a voluntary website service with litigation
I have deleted the allegedly offending comments while I am taking legal advice on them.
Brendan Burgess
Founder Askaboutmoney
Was in FOKO in Blanchardstown yesterday. Decided to purchase a single bed for about €450. Was informed there would be 10-12 week wait for the item (it's flat-pack, by the way, assemble it yourself, sort of like the IKEA model).
Fine, I sez. How much of a deposit would you like? Here was the answer: There was a 20% off sale, and I would have to pay in full in advance to get the discount. Now that's a pretty good return, I suppose, but there was nothing in the small print of the large sale signs to indicate this.
Even if I didn't want to avail of the 20% off, they gave me the option of 50% deposit. But the order would not go in until I paid the rest, at which point the 12 week wait would commence.
Now call me cynical, but here is how I suspect these guys operate.
It's flat pack stuff. Perhaps they keep a stock, perhaps not. Perhaps the manufacturer builds to order, perhaps not. Either way, it should not take 12 weeks to complete. I suspect that FOKO holds onto your money for a couple of months, then puts in the order say 30 days in advance. They receive the item and you collect. Then they pay the supplier perhaps 60 days later (maybe 90). In other words, you pay up front and they have use of your money for 5-6 months. That's a nice positive cash flow.
(Comment deleted as FOKO claimed it was defamatory)
All good furniture stores make you wait a couple of months for the item. But the likes of Arnotts or Brown Thomas take a small deposit and you pay the balance on delivery. (Comment deleted as FOKO claimed it was defamatory)
What does anyone else think? Would be particularly interested to hear from someone in the retail trade. Is this "best practice" or just good business? Can hardly blame them if people meekly accept.
Me? I walked out and took my business elsewhere.