Customers angry as firm goes bust

DISTRAUGHT customers who are set to lose thousands following the administration of Oldham-based retail firm Betta Living have voiced their anger at the company.

On Friday the firm, whose headquarters are at Suthers Street, Werneth and sells kitchens, bedrooms and wardrobes with retail outlets in more than 70 towns, went into administration, costing customers thousands and leaving hundreds of jobs at risk.

In light of recent events customers took to Facebook to voice their anger over unfinished work and lost deposits with some users complaining that payments were accepted as late as Friday.

Many of the customers are now facing the prospect of having to pay extra for a fitter to come as they have been left with unfinished furnishings with others unable to get the stock they ordered.

A Facebook group, 'Betta Living We Want Justice', which was originally created to help people making complaints about the firm, has now morphed into a networking group for people who have been let down by the company.

Holly Didyk, group administrator, said: "We have fitters and customers alike on here, hopefully some of the work can be completed working directly with the tradesmen themselves."

She said: "This group serves purely as a link, we cannot and will not recommend or endorse any of the fitters on here, work is undertaken at your own risk in the same way if you were contracting an external workman.

"That being said, we hope it helps the customers to reach a satisfactory result whilst helping some honest tradesmen that have found themselves out of a large proportion of their work."

Customers from around the country flocked to the group to voice their anger at the company.

Kerry Harrison wrote: "Absolutely devastated here, our Betta Living kitchen was due to be fitted on Tuesday. Fitter rang to tell us the company has gone into administration. He was being kind, he has had no formal contact from the company.

"99 per cent of the kitchen was delivered to us thank god, using finance, but it looks like we will have to pay for a fitter and for the worktops."

She added: "We had issues with Betta Living from the start but against my husbands better judgement we went with them... so regret this now!"

Julie Louise Marsons, who tried to cancel her order on several occasions without success and as a result of the administration has lost her deposit, described the company as a joke.

She said: "I emailed the company informing them we would be cancelling the order and for our deposit to be paid back. Endless calls we made and we were always told the original guy who had come out to us had to clear it with the office so they could return our money.

"I did inform them if I heard nothing by last Friday I would be calling them again, what a joke then to find out the company has gone bust and along with it our deposit money. Absolutely fuming over this and so frustrated."

Pete Doggett told the group how he had been able to pay a £1000 deposit as late as 5.52pm last Friday and is now at a loss at what to do.

Gill Heffron wrote: "We paid £2,700 as a deposit for our kitchen.

"Feel very angry and ripped off, but know we are lucky compared to others on here."

Last Friday the company posted on its website: "As of Friday, November 4 Betta Living has made an application to appoint an administrator.

"We anticipate the administrator will be appointed next week and will consider all options to try and secure the continuation of the business but at present Betta Living has temporarily ceased to trade."