Homebase liquidators reach agreement with consumer watchdog on Laois customer rights

Ireland's Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) says it has agreed consumer rights commitments with Homebase liquidators for customers of its branches in Portlaoise and elsewhere.

The CCPC says it contacted the liquidators following media and consumer reports to its helpline.

The Commission says liquidators have agreed to ensure that where existing orders for kitchens and bathrooms can be fulfilled, they will be honoured, and if not, refunded.

The CCPC also advises consumers to spend Homebase gift vouchers immediately.

Following reports of unfulfilled orders and confusion around consumer rights in Homebase stores in Ireland, the CCPC says it acted to ensure consumers are protected and their rights upheld.

The CCPC says Homebase liquidators committed on November 29 to accept gift vouchers during the provisional liquidation phase and the UK administrators have committed to the liquidators to honour outstanding orders, following engagement with the CCPC.

CCPC Chair Brian McHugh said: “Consumer calls and emails to our helpline raised concerns for CCPC consumer protection officers. We contacted Homebase’s liquidators late last week to ensure consumers continue to be protected while stores are operating.”

The CCPC is advising any consumers who have vouchers for Homebase to use them this weekend or risk being left out of pocket.

Meanwhile, consumers who have outstanding orders for kitchens and other installations should be contacted by Homebase early next week.

The CCPC says liquidators have advised az follows: “The UK Administrators will shortly give instructions to Homebase employees and logistics partners to commence the process of booking in delivery slots for certain kitchen orders. These employees will have specific details of orders, any elements that cannot be fulfilled and alternative arrangements for any parts which are currently unavailable...[W]e expect customers will begin to receive calls from Monday 2 December 2024 in respect of their orders.”

The CCPC consumer helpline (01 402 5555, Monday to Friday 9-6, or ask@ccpc.ie) received reports from consumers who were concerned about their outstanding orders from Homebase.

Homebase have 8 stores in Ireland, located in Drogheda, Letterkenny, Navan, Portlaoise, Sligo, Waterford, and Nutgrove and Santry in Dublin.

Homebase in Laois has been confirmed as one of the company's Irish stores now bought up by The Range UK homeware retail chain.

Show quoted text