[ad_1]
SINGAPORE: Some Robinsons customers report delays or cancellations in the delivery of the mattresses they purchased, as the bedding suppliers await their payments in the middle of the retailer’s liquidation process.
Acknowledging the “concern and anxiety” of affected customers, Robinsons said in a Facebook post on Sunday (November 1) that the matter has been flagged as “a priority issue to be addressed with mattress suppliers.”
“To this end, we are scheduling meetings with mattress suppliers on an urgent basis to try to resolve the current situation that is negatively impacting our customers.
“Unfortunately, until we can discuss and resolve the issues with the mattress suppliers, we will not be able to provide further updates or action on deliveries, refunds or exchanges,” the company said.
The closing of the last two Robinsons department stores at The Heeren and Raffles City Mall was announced on Friday.
After more than 160 years operating in Singapore, the decision to pull out came following changes in retail buying patterns and weak demand exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, the company said.
Robinsons, owned by Al-Futtaim Group, employs 175 people in Singapore.
READ: Goodbye Robinsons: A look at 160 years of department stores in Singapore
Robinsons added Sunday: “We will notify all customers with deposits (including full payment) once we have a resolution to the situation and seek their patience while we address this in the next few days.”
In the meantime, he advised clients to send a copy of their receipt to the liquidators’ email, [email protected].
Cameron Duncan and David Kim of KordaMentha have been appointed to take control of the company’s assets and evaluate options for obtaining value in order to maximize returns for creditors, Robinsons said Friday.
MATTRESS FULLY PAID ON BLACK FRIDAY 2019
One affected shopper told CNA that he paid for his mattress order in full last year on Black Friday, to get the maximum amount of discount offered.
Since 2018, Robinsons has offered discounts of up to 80 percent to interested shoppers at its Black Friday Sale, a 24-hour shopping event that takes place the day after Thanksgiving in November.
Adabelle, who declined to give her last name, said the delivery of her mattress had been postponed because renovation work at her home was halted due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Including refunds from her OCBC Robinsons credit card payment, she spent about S $ 6,000, from the original price of more than S $ 8,000.
READ: Robinsons to close Jem’s outlet at the end of August
On Friday morning, Ms. Adabelle contacted bedding supplier Simmons to confirm that her delivery would proceed as scheduled on November 20.
“The Simmons representative confirmed that he will not be affected by the Robinsons shutdown,” he said.
“However, I was subsequently informed that Simmons issued a statement on his Facebook that there will be no updates on the deliveries until further discussions with the Robinsons liquidators.”
Robinsons announced on October 30, 2020, that it will be closing its last two department stores in Singapore, including The Heeren store shown here.
In a Facebook announcement posted Saturday, Simmons said he will meet with KordaMentha’s liquidators “in the next week to resolve deposit and prepayment issues.”
“Thereafter, our retail advisers will contact you in due course.
Until we resolve the issue with Robinsons, we will not have updates regarding deliveries, exchanges and refunds, “he added.
THE SELLER ADVISES CUSTOMERS TO CANCEL THE BANK PAYMENT
Reg Wong, who also paid for his order in full on November 29 last year, told CNA that mattress seller Sealy has stopped all deliveries since Friday.
As in the case of Ms. Adabelle, the delivery of her bed had been postponed due to the completion of her Build-To-Order apartment being delayed from June until the first quarter of next year.
Sealy in a Facebook post on Saturday had advised affected customers “to contact their bank to cancel the payment immediately.”
He added: “You can then redirect your purchase and payment to us and we will deliver your products to you in full.”
However, several clients commented that OCBC Bank does not allow the cancellation of the payment made.
CNA has contacted OCBC for their comments.
READ: Retailers must move away from traditional business model to survive, says Chan Chun Sing
In an SMS seen by CNA, the bank had informed its customers that the OCBC Robinsons credit card will be canceled on April 15, 2021.
As of November 6, users will also not get any refunds for shopping at Robinsons and Marks & Spencer, he added.
The Al-Futtaim Group also manages other retail brands such as Marks & Spencer and Zara in Singapore.
“Until your card is canceled, you can still earn Robinsons $ for purchases made with this card and be able to redeem these Robinsons $.”
This story came from a reader’s notice. If you’d like to submit information, photos, or videos about something newsworthy, please submit your CNA Eyewitness news tips.
