I would contact trading standards.

Hi all.

Have very similar experience with Living Space. My mother was cold called by them and needed a kitchen. She agreed to it as she wanted one. She was sweet talked with all the sales pitch "it is worth £10000..." etc etc. This all happened when I was away. When I got back I couldn't believe how much they were asking for, for how little they were actually doing. I told my mum to cancel.

She phoned them to cancel and they said they would send someone round to drop offher cheque and for her to sign something to cancel. They arranged for this to be done on Saturday - no one turned up, then again on monday, again no one turned up, same on tuesday. Phone calls were made and not returned, promises made but not kept.

It remains to be seen whats going to happen but judging from the stories on here it doesn't look promising! Personally i think they were stalling her knowing full well that she needs to cancel in writing and not over the phone. She cancelled well within the cooling off period but sadly only over the phone. I think she may have lost the desposit now!

Any suggestions?

I'm not sure what you mean by "background research" and "false statements". I can honestly say that my parents have not "been left more than satisfied". Perhaps you would like to make this happen today and return their deposit? I would love to meet with the Directors face to face and collect my parents deposit back in cash - which was how it was taken. They could also explain their comments about money laundering and contacting the police. There are many things I left out of my original post regarding the visit to my parents that have been reported to trading standards. Since I made the original posts my parents are still being harrassed by calls from the company telling them they will be delivering their kitchen.

As you say there are two sides to every story and as a representative of the company perhaps you could explain why my parents deposit has not been returned in 6 months and when it will be returned?

I have done some "background research" on the company - Living Space isn't a limited company so has no Directors and M&F Kitchen Installations Ltd doesn't exist in Companies House. The copy of the contract my parents signed mentions both these companies. However a company called M & F Interiors Ltd is registered at the same address. Two Directors listed both of which we have spoken to when contacting Living Space. Company incorporated in 2005. It filed domant accounts to 31/08/2006 and is 6 months overdue with its latest accounts. As you point out these Directors have 25 years experience behind them so they should know the penalties of not filing accounts on time. Please could you let me know which company you are a representative for?

I can take your comments on board and with deference to your statement re not being paid.......

I was not!!!! I feel a fast one was pulled! Even after the money should have been taken out of what I was owed (for so called "training"), I have still to receive the balance of the monies.

You take advantage of both customers and staff, staff who, despite the ridiculous hours, time on the road, still do their best. The least your company could have done was to pay for that effort!

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As a representative for Living Space I would like to state that first of all this company has no connection to Space Kitchens/Designs - We are an established independant nationwide company.

The directors of this company of very professional & experienced within the trade of Kitchen furnishings with at least 25 years of experience behind them. Obviously every company has its errors & faults along the line but all these have been rectified & every customer has been left more than satisfied. Within are files we have hundreds of customers who have wrote to us with the upmost gratitude for the workmanship we have provided them with.

It is almost shameful to read some of the statements made - there is two sides to every story afterall - we deal from manufacture to consumer direct & we have a built up list of very happy cliental who even make recomendations & gain money back by doing so. Which goes to show a purchase from us is not just a money saver - It is in fact a money maker also. You only need to have a feel of our furnishings to see that it is all of superb quality & as for selling tactics - no one is ever forced to purchase anything from us against there will as some statements make out. We offer a service & presentation - If you like what you see then great - If you don't thats fine aswell - all we actually ask is for you to keep us in mind for the future if its something you may ever require.

Some background research should have been done by most individuals in this forum - before you issued false statements & as for not being paid - I have worked for the directors of this company for almost five years & not a week has gone by where I have not yet been paid.

Good for you...believe me when I tell you I wish I had not bothered!

I went in a while ago to sign a contract, which I have signed before, only to see a new batch of trainee salespeople.

I also spoke to a guy who was on the trainning course with me who also quit and who also has not got paid yet....after a month has rolled by!

Steer clear and make sure others do also!

Just been searching for info on 'Living Space' kitchens. Came across your message, and I'm glad I did. I saw their job advertising for Kitchen Designers in my area. I have just rung up their receptionist to apply for the job. However, after reading your message, I don't think I will be taking my application any further. There is no way I want to work for a low life company like that. I have had experience of had sell companies and they can be very intimidating. Not the kind of company I want to be a part of.

Thanks for helping to stop me from making a huge career mistake.

Unfortunately I used to work for them on the "Kitchen Design" front!!!

NOT PROUD OF IT!

Yes they use the same sales pitch as everyone else....feature home....substantial subsidies...blah blah!

Shame really the product isn't bad. I think the owner came across as a genuinely nice guy. But, and isn't there always a but?......

They never paid my wages!!!!

The other unfortunate side is there is a hideous amount of commission involved and double that if the customer buys on finance and so the pressure to sell is ginormous.

My advise for anyone who buys from them is to hold out, their price can drop by a massive margin. Don't believe them when they say the price is a one time only offer...you call back after a few days and you might be surprised how the price will change!

Also remember buying on finance (even if you have the cash) is actually better for YOU! They do not get paid until you have signed the customer satisfaction paperwork. Don't sign until you are genuinely happy. GE will not pay them until you are!!! The finance can be made to work for you and nevr never pay it off all at once otherwise you will get stung with a penalty.

I hope this helps someone!!!:)

just got my kitchen faults fixed, but only after a load of hassle ,after a cocked up first attempt,with a workman turning up at the wrong time,and then told it was my fault ?. The workman who came to fix the problem does a lot of there customer service work,was very good,.Still waiting for £40 owed me and the certificates for the electrical and gas work carried out in my kitchen.

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JM -- As you have taken all reasonable steps and you can show this was legally cancelled within the cooloing off period under the doorstep selling regulations, then consider issuing an online claim to the money claims online courts service explaining all the circumstances and showing any proof that this was legally terminated.

It will cost you an initial fee, but they will have to pay this to the courts on top of being ordered by the court to return your Parents money, they really are low-life by intimidating such vulnerable people, they should be taken to court as a matter of principle as they are unwilling to return this money voluntarily after being given every opportunity.

https://www.moneyclaim.gov.uk/csmco2/index.jsp

We've had no luck so far in getting the deposit back. Local trading standards have tried on my parents behalf as well, they have now passed it to Lancs TS which cover the area that the company is trading from. My parents have had several calls from Living Space to tell them there kitchen is ready for delivery and asking them to pay the balance. The last call about a month ago. When my parents have pointed out that it was cancelled in the cooling off period the caller always replies well you will lose a lot of money. We know they are doing this just to upset my parents in one call my parents were threatened by the caller saying that they were going to report them to the police for "money laundering" because they asked for the deposit in cash and she paid it using money she had drawn for a holiday. They've even threated that if she takes them to court they have tape recorded all the calls and she was harrassing them. These people are really pondlife.

Hi --- Jeffrey's Mummy --- I just noticed that your elderly Parents have been persuaded into parting with a large amount of money by unsolicited selling, if this was within the last seven days they have a right to cancel under the doorstep selling regulations and have their money refunded in full, your Parents should have been made fully aware of this at the time by the company as they are legally obliged to do so.

I enclose an article of assistance simply contact the company and demand a refund in full, as per your legal rights to this seven day cooling off period.

http://www.consumerdirect.gov.uk/before_you_buy/be_aware_of/doorstep-selling

Thanks for that I did wonder if they were the same company because their sales methods sounded identical. They cold called my mother and father who are both in their seventies and are vunerable. My mothers recollections of the visit sounded like something from the TV program "Rogue Traders", both are traumatised by the whole experience and are afraid to answer the door or telephone. We are keeping our fingers crossed that they will get their deposit of £1.5k back.