DK Windows in liquidation - owing €1.5m in customer deposits

torblednam said:

A couple of chippers in my locality don't accept card payments, cash only - I hope I don't end up out of pocket and hungry one of these days...

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Mine make me pay in advance, should I be worried and insist on paying when the order is given to me

Personally speaking when a company won't take credit card payments when they did in the past, that's a huge red flag

Laramie said:

I have two patio doors replaced by Rationel and they wanted full payment before installation. Huge company.

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I don't have a problem with this as long as It's not all upfront at the time of ordering
And the final payment is only payable when the company is arranging an installation date with you

Leo said:

Good in theory, but a company knowing they are in dire financial straits might still conveniently forget this in the weeks before they collapse.

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Simple solution. Directors become personally liable if they do not show that this was offered to the customer.

MrEarl said:

Hello,

Anyone handing over large deposits in advance of work being done, needs their head examined...that's the real consumer education piece.

Sure, booking deposits are appropriate and yes, perhaps a further element of a deposit for customised items that need to be made in advance, but there's no justification for having to handover 40% - 70% of the price in advance.

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You'd be surprised at how many people would "change their mind" if a substantial deposit is not required. Good tradespeople will book the required contractors weeks or months in advance and also order materials. If someone cancels, it can be difficult to suddenly fill that time, but you still have all the costs associated, so 40%-50% deposit is the norm and further payment just before work commences is the norm.

There are many unscrupulous people out there that will do their damnest not to pay if you wait until completion to ask for payment