When to pay remaining balance?

eman66

About two weeks ago I ordered a 2-sofa suite of furniture. The suite was to be ready "in time for christmas". I paid 50% deposit, and presumed that the balance would be payable when the suite was ready.

Got a call today from the shop saying that the sale was over on Saturday, and that the balance would have to be paid before then.

I can't remember exactly the conversation at the point of sale but there was no mention of when the balance was due. I didn't ask because, as I say, I presumed it would be due when the suite was available.

So, will I have to pay it now, or would I be entitled to hold off until next month?

Thoie

Check your receipt - it might say balance due on... blah date, and there's probably some T&Cs on the back.

spyderski

I personally wouldn't pay it - too many furniture companies use their customers deposits to fund their cashflow, and many have gone bust with customers losing deposits.
Obviously most are fine, but I would be a bit worried that they are suddenly looking for a deposit for what seems to be a fairly spurious reason - so what if the sale is over - how does that change anything?.
If you do decide to pay, make sure you use a credit card, so your deposit is protected (If the store goes bust the C/C company will refund your money).

dudara

As Thoie said, have a look for T&Cs or contract of sale.

Make sure to use a credit card - if the company does go bust, you will have some chance of recovering your money.

eman66

Checked the docket. Normally, the balance would be due 5 days before delivery "except during sale time when balance must be paid in full". It was a sale, so they are entitled to ask for it.

Just a bit concerned though. The called it a consolidation sale. They have 3 shops and are closing one of them.

I don't know for sure, but I suspect the sale condition normally is to ensure that a sale item, usually an in-stock item, doesn't leave the shop with money outstanding. Even though it was a sale (15% off all stock on display), the transaction was as a normal non-sale transaction, i.e. examine the display item and place an order to get the suite manufactured.

I'm just a bit miffed that they can have my money for that length of time, and splitting the payment was a major factor in my decision to buy the suite.

EDIT: had paid the 50% deposit by CC, and will pay the balance this way also.

dudara

It would appear that they have themselves covered there with the phrase "during sale time". It includes non-sale items bought during a sale period.

Stick with the credit card though - and hopefully you won't be kept waiting too long.

ScouseMouse

Yes, stick with the credit card. If they fail in the meantime, you can claim it back within a certain time frame.

Beware though, you cannot do this with a laser or other debit card.