Kingfisher cancellations

How can you claim cash back if there is nothing in the kitty? Thats not to say there is nothing but it sure looks that way. There will be other creditors as well as you. I would not hold your breath awaiting the cash. Again its all rather sad.

 

I've not heard anything formally, from Kingfisher or anybody else, that there is no cash available to pay creditors. I'm using Small Claims as a final resort, having been so fed up at wasting my time trying to find out where my money is. It is sad, but let's not forget that Kingfisher is a business, not a charity, that took lots of people's money in expectation that they would receive a service. I run a small business myself and I can empathise with the problems they are facing, but I also know full well my clients would expect me to deal with them in a fair and courteous way.

 

The simple and best answer is to pay with a credit card. The card company have to then pay you back.

All payments are protected upto a certain amount. something like £10.000
Payments could also protected if you pay with a Visa debit card.

If you have paied with either then you need to contact your card company and get information.

 

After reading all of these posts when booking for the North Yorkshire Explorer I booked it with my credit card. I am still hopeful that it is running but a little less hopeful each day.

 

Well if it does run it seemingly won't be behind "Leander" as the Great Central Website says "Leander" is staying at Loughborough throughout November

 

l read the article in Steam Railway about Kingfisher being placed on the market and emailed a letter to them about the ongoing problems in obtaining a refund - i also copied the email address supplied for Kingfisher for any prospective investors in the company. I received a response from Roger Hardingham in which he outlines that he has invested over £200,000 personally and does not receive any return or remuneration from the business. He also informed me that he cuts costs to "a very low amount but due to a number of factors and outside influences we have hit problems this summer"

He goes on to state
" all i can say the very fact i am trying to sell the assets is to clear firstly any refunds and other debts. I am just sorry that we have let people down recently , but i intend to find any way i can to sort the situation out before giving up and going insolvent which will not help anyone"

Obviously the company has hit serious problems - and its now clear that Kingfisher are staring insolvency in the face, hopefully someone will invest in the company and its once excellent product will survive.

I appreciate his honesty in contacting me - its a great shame that this statement was not issued to everyone who is owed money by Kingfisher.

 

Does he seriously think that he will find investors. If you had a business plan you would be better to start from scratch - and only a fool will enter the market in the current climate.

I believe that the WCRC in co-operation with Steam Dreams will weather the current storm with the relationship becoming closer. VSOE will work well with a solid busines though even they may reduce tour plans. Tough times lie ahead for the smaller independants such as Compass and Past time/UKR though particually the latter have good solid managment.

 

What assets do Kingfisher actually have to sell?

 

They own(ed) some MkII's - formerlly the Wessex set. Not much, only a couple to SO's, TSO's a BSO and an RBR - the Mock Pullmans refurbed MkII's being hired in.

 

The North Yorkshire Explorer on the 15th Nov from Carnforth to Scarborough has now been removed from Kingfishers site, has anyone any news as to whether it is definitely cancelled?

 

http://uksteam.info/tours/trs08.htm#twk
UKsteam.info showing tour as cancelled...

 

If Kingfisher does disappear we will all be the poorer. Roger created a fabulous product over the S & C especially, and we should mourn its passing. Its almost akin to the line actually closing. :smt010

 

Having spent about 6 months trying in vain, and mostly going in circles, trying to get back the cost of my ticket for a caped tour last November to Folkestone with Nelson, something which it now seems unlikely will happen for a while at least, you will forgive me if I shed no tears.

 

Last November?? I think, not sure, that we were booked on that one. Costs Leeds - London, hotel and all the rest of it, that was money we couldn't get back. We did however get a refund from Kingfisher, it took a while and some heated exchanges, but it did arrive eventually.

 

Re-posted from a Usenet post on uk.railway. Original post from Allan Gould (thanks Allan!).

So, all is explained, Roger's been ill for five weeks. That's OK then!

 

So Roger Hardingham has been ill for five weeks. That doesn't explain why some people posting on this thread have been waiting months and having to threaten legal action to get reimbursed for cancelled tours.
I've heard of "one man shows" before but this takes the biscuit.

 

With the demise of Kingfisher, I am sure there will be tours next year over the S & C, WCRC anyone? Certainly would make anice addition to theie current portfolio of mainline steam operations.

 

I have been thinking for a long time that the WCRC have been developing their ideas in taking the S&C jobs in house. It will mean that they have total control and co-ordination on a large part of the UK Railtour market covering all the regular operations. If they play this correctly they may also be able to market tours properly and offer a large and recognisable brand.

Additionally, though prices will not fall, the extra economies gained from bringing everything in house may prevent too many fare rises. They are in a unique postion to be able to operate this type of trip with quality and profesionalism and i hope they will excell.

 

I was on the North Yorks Explorer which was cancelled, on Friday I received a letter advising of the cancellation and saying a refund would follow. On Saturday I received a very frank and honest letter personally signed by Roger following a similar line to Caledonians earlier post.

It suggests that until the company receives some investment refunds may not be sent, he apologises for this but explains that as he tries to keep fares to a minimum that any cancellations involving costs mean a loss. Now this sounds like an enthusiast running trips for enthusiasts making minimal profit.

Whilst I agree not receiving refunds for months is not good and the lack of communication is anoyying (particlarly when trying to ring!) I do appreciate Roger making contact to explain the situation and the fact it can not be easy to admit your comapny is in trouble.

 

and it was postmarked somewhere in Brazil \/