Paid £550 deposit on credit card ( principal cardholder) on 3/5/9. Delivery date was 27.6.9. Paid off my credit card in full.

Received letter by recorded delivery on 10/6/9 to say they had "problems with designer, can not get dress at this time. Please find credit card payment refund receipt attached ( dated 3/6/9). May take 7-10 days to go through. If any problems contact the credit card company."

Has now been at least 10 working days since date on refund receipt. No money refunded on account. The shop has had shutters down since with a notice re refurbishment. Can't leave any more messages on their phone as is full.

Apart from stress of not getting wedding dress of dreams and having to find another at short notice, also seem to have lost deposit. Was contacted by the designer who had the order with my phone number asking if we had heard anything as she has the dress ready. Already paid for another dress (non-refundable). Designer says she thinks the shop has done a runner as they owe her 40,000 and are uncontactable. They are well known wedding outfitters. Could not imagine this happening.

Question. What can we do about the money? Do we wait? Will the credit card refund it? Is there any chance of seeing the money again. Will it be a lengthy process.

Under section 75 of the consumer credit act 1974 you are entitled to a refund from the credit card issuer, where a breach of contract or failure to supply the goods as contracted by the supplier has occurred.

You should contact your card issuer notifying them of the above situation and ask to start the, "chargeback claim procedure" eventually the funds will be replaced by the card company, if the proceeds are not forthcoming within a reasonable timeframe as advised by the supplier.