From the DGCOS Advice Team.
It was announced on Wednesday 19th December 2018 that Apple Panels LTD is beginning the process to enter into Creditors Voluntary Liquidation (CVL) and will cease to trade with immediate effect.
Apple Panels Ltd were a founding member of the (DGCOS) – The Double Glazing and Conservatory Quality Assurance Ombudsman Scheme and we understand this is unwelcome news, especially at this time of year.
Apple has stated on their website that the Quantuma LLP will be handling the CVL and they may be able to provide further information and can be contacted 02380 336464.
Update of 25/01/2019 from Quantuma LLP:
“I would advise that a sale of the business and assets of the Company, including the customer contracts, was completed on 23 January 2019. The purchaser is County Windows (Winchester) Limited.
County Windows (Winchester) Limited will work to honour as many of the contracts wherever possible.
If you have been contacted by any other party purporting to have taken over the business of Apple Panels Limited or Apple Home Improvements, please be advised that this is not correct and they are not acting with authority of the Joint Administrators (Simon Campbell and Andrew Watling)."
Below is the statement on the Apple Panels Ltd website:
Apple Panels Ltd are sorry to announce that due to the current economic climate and a number of exceptional issues that have arisen during trading over the last 18 months the Director is taking steps to place the Company into Liquidation (Creditors Voluntary Liquidation) and will cease trading with immediate effect.
We appreciate that this will, unfortunately, result in a number of staff, sub-contractors, customers and suppliers being let down at what can be a difficult time of year. For customers who have queries in regard to the warranty on their installations or have questions concerning a current contract we recommend you contact either the Independent Insurance Backed Guarantee company (if this was included with the purchase of your contract) or the finance lender if Apple introduced you to the lender.
We will await more information regarding this matter and update this blog accordingly. There are still many scenarios which could impact this situation and we await further information. We are incredibly disappointed to have to publish this statement at such a sensitive time of the year. We hope to provide more clarity in the coming weeks. We thank you in advance for your patience in this matter.
More information on your statutory rights:
Chargeback
If you have paid a deposit on your full works in the last 120 days* and your merchant has ceased to trade, you can ask your card provider to try and claw back the money you’ve paid via a Chargeback.
Chargeback is not enshrined in law, but it is a part of the Scheme Rules that participating banks subscribe to. We recommend you give your bank a call to discuss this option. Note: there does need to be money in the merchants account for the clawback to go ahead.
Finance
If you purchased your windows/doors/conservatory through a finance lender (not via a personal loan you have arranged) and you have an issue with the product or workmanship, then under Section 75 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act (CCA) you are entitled to claim directly via your finance lender.
If you feel you were mis-sold and you have substantive evidence to prove grounds of mis-selling, you can make a claim via your finance lender under Section 56 of the 1974 Consumer Credit Act.
Please check your paperwork for your specific finance lender and contact them directly.
For more information on your rights please take a look at:
https://www.which.co.uk/consumer-rights/regulation/section-75-of-the-consumer-credit-act