Hi,

I bought a TV from Empire Direct in Aug 2006 and bought their 5 year warranty for an extra £349 (in hindsight, I shouldn't of paid out for it!). They've now gone into administration and looking back at the receipts and paperwork - it looks like the cover wasn't third party and provided by ED.

After being on hold forever I got through to someone who told me that my money has effectively gone down the drain and I can't even claim money for the unexpired time - I've got over 3 and a half years left on it! Does anyone know what I can do? Can I claim from the administrators? I've been told that guarantees aren't covered!

I'd appreciate any advice!

You should cancel any direct debits or similar mandates to the company.

If you are owed money, you should make a claim with the liquidator. If your claim is accepted, you may eventually get a small payment.

Window Shopper,

I also bought a TV in November 2006 with a 5 year warranty from Empire and my TV is in the repairers now (all repaired and ready to go). Having contacted everyone on the planet about what happens with regards to the warranty, I have been advised (unofficially) that the warranty is worth nothing and therefore any repairs that will need to be done to the product will have to be paid for by the owner of the goods. This really isn't what I wanted to hear as I save for months on end for the TV and the repairers want £450 before they will return my telly.

If I hear anything further I will let you know.

There is no harm in putting in a claim with the liquidator. It's not unusual in such circumstances for there to be a pay out of a few pence for every pound that is owed. I doubt that a claim for repairs done by another company would go far but a claim for the unused portion of a guarantee might get something. Contact details for the liquidator should be on the company's web site.

Aaargh I can't believe this!

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/west_yorkshire/7848231.stm

Apparently no one will be refunded becase of lack of ED funds so those who paid in cash are going to be left out of pocket, that is so unfair and unbelievable! The administrators say those who paid by card have to see if they can claim through their card issuer - my situation is a bit more complex, I paid for the TV and extended warranty with a £400 deposit and the rest through a finance agreement. I think I'm going to contact the finance issuers and the card issuers and see if I can get anything.

Hi I bought a tv and sony surround system boxing day 2008 and took out 5 year warranty and the extra card spending £1724 and paid by my mastercard which I have fully paid off, but I dont know where I stand with this either. I left all details with the admins yesterday but I don't think they will be able to help. Anyone have any ideas Please.

sangran10:

paid by my mastercard which I have fully paid off, but I dont know where I stand with this either.

You've definitely a far better chance getting your money from a credit card. They will refund 100% for something that is not delivered. How this will apply to a guarantee (where you may have paid for 5 years and been covered for one year) I am not sure but you should certainly enquire and start the process for disputing the charge on the card with the card issuer. There is a time limit for claims on a credit card that will need to be ascertained and they may want you to wait until they know how many pence will be paid for each pound owed by the liquidator. The BBC article mentioned above includes the quote "a dividend is not expected" which means that, while it is sensible to make a claim, there is unlikely to be a pay out from company funds.