Domain Home Furnishings filing Chapter 11 - bankrupt.....

16 years ago

I posted this in the decorating forum but also wanted to post it here. Just got a notice yesterday that Domain is headed to bankruptcy court. I hope no one else has pending orders. I now have to go throught the credit card dispute process. I won't be paying for something I will never receive. Just thought I'd let everyone know. Good thing I hadn't already bought the big flat screen to go in the piece that I'll never see. Another reatailer bits the dust.

Featured Answer

mogator88

16 years ago

Domain furniture is owned by an investment company called Synergy Enterprises. Basically Domain got cut off. Almost nobody knew about this until it was announced. It is possible your order wasn't placed. Funny and seemingly irrational things can happen prior to a bankruptcy filing.

FWIW, there are plenty more big names in big trouble. Wickes has asked its vendors to wait 18 months to get paid on open invoices. That's unheard of.

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Comments (26)

lmyers
16 years ago
I have been waiting for my order for 2 dining chairs placed w/Domain on 10/27/07 which was promised on or before 12/30/07. I called early December to check on the status and was told that my chairs should arrive in their warehouse by 1/20/08. I was upset about the long delay but I continued to wait. I read on the order form that if merchandise is not delivered by the promised date, you can cancel your order for full refund of your deposit ($679.22) so on 1/16/08, I called the store and cancelled my order. The salesperson did not mention anything about the impending Chapter 11 filing. I kept checking my Visa statement daily and no credit was issued from Domain. I sent emails to their corporate office w/o a response. I called the store back yesterday and was informed they filed Chapter 11 on 1/18/08 (2 days after I cancelled my order). I did contact Visa and they refunded my deposit (thank goodness for Visa!!. The corporate office finally responded to my email today and advised me to file a claim or contact Visa. I sent them another email asking if my 10/27 order was ever placed (maybe my chairs were finished and just waiting for delivery) but they responsed "No, my order was never done." How despicable, they took my order, my money, lied to me about the status of the order and never even placed the order! I hope they stay out of business and never re-surface from this bankruptcy with new investors!
dcollie
16 years ago
This is not uncommon lmeyers.

Domain does not make the furniture itself, so when a dealer (be they large or small) runs into financial issues they can't pay their suppliers. If Domain can't pay, then they get all their orders put on HOLD from their supplier.

They most certainly fax'ed your order into their suppliers (otherwise it would be out and out fraud), but the supplier won't build new orders until they get paid for past ones. Its unethical for them to take your deposit money when they KNOW they are on a 'no-ship' status with a supplier, but its not illegal as long as they submit the order.

If you still want the pieces, and know the source supplier, call them on the phone and explain you were a Domain customer and still want to buy the items. They will then refer you to a sound and solvent dealer and they'll fast track your order so you get it right away.

When Mastercraft Interiors in the Wash DC market went under the same way, I was the referral dealer for Hancock and Moore as well as Southwood Furniture and both companies got the customer orders done very quickly. It worked out for the customers in the end, but many had to wait a year and a half to get their original deposit money back from the bankruptcy court (those that could not do chargebacks).

It gives the industry a bad name when stores take orders they know they can't get built. They want your deposit money as a source of operating capital. That's why its important to know who you are doing business with before placing a large order, though unfortunately as a customer there is no easy way to check.

Duane Collie
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Is it a vague feeling that you're not supposed to spend this kind of money on something for yourself. . . .? A lot of us have been raised to be generous with others and frugal about what we need. Wow. This has been such a really been a very thoughtful, provocative thread! I think we all know that being a TKO is a pretty nutty proposition. But to be TKO and living single is not just nutty. It's plain scary at all times! With no one at home to really sort out these tough decisions close at hand (and no TKOs among my family and friends no matter where they live) you guys really are the ones I look to for advice and support, especially when I have a big problem. So, from those of you who have at come at this from a business/legal perspective to those of you have tested the pyschological/emotional decisions underlying all this, I gotta say once again -- thank you! Each and every opinion that has been registered here --even if I haven't specifically referenced it in my responses-- is worth something to me. So, let me be crystal clear that I love and want this Aga 6-4. But Lascatx is right-- although I've finally arrived at a place in my life where I can actually make such a purchase, it still feels strange to me. Even if my mom was not suffering with moderate dementia right now, I most certainly would not have consulted with her on the wisdom of this decision. I would not dare to risk the scolding from her (a depression-era survivor) for being extravagant and wasteful in the design of my kitchen. In fact, I can even hear her saying: "Why do you even need a new kitchen? That 40 year old kitchen you inherited and which you have been living with for the past 20 years was just fine the way it was!) LOL! Still, whether it is extravagant and wasteful or not, I confess that I want it. Plus, now at midlife, I finally have the means to make it happen. In all likelihood, I am going to go ahead and buy this Aga 6-4. I got a tremendous boost of encouragement from Claybabe, when she wrote me offline to tell me how much she enjoys her own 6-4. Madcow, even though you own the incomparable Aga traditional cooker, I am also encouraged by your unswerving devotion to the product. And, Holligator, your post about your new Legacy just made me smile even more. In trying to gauge customer satisfaction, against the occasional backdrop of negative comments from Aga bashers, there is nothing like hearing the product praises of people who actually own and use Agas. At this point, the key for me will be studying the terms of the warranty and whether I can find a trustworthy and competent local service person who is truly knowledgeable about the product in the next week or so. When I phone Aga North America on Monday morning to discuss my situation, seeing how the customer service rep handles that call also be critically important I must say, if I get even a hint that they aren't prepared to be fully responsive and attentive to my potential customer concerns, then I very well may drop the whole matter, deny possession, refuse to make the down payment by the end of the month and dispute the sale altogether. I sure hope that doesn't happen! Again, I'll be sure to keep you all posted. Go Giants! (Sorry, Pats fans, I just couldn't help that last one):)
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susans02
Original Author
16 years ago
Duane - thanks for the info. I am disputing the amount cahrged on my "Domain Credit Card" with he credit card company. Luckily, I haven't paid any $$ toward the balance yet. Hopefully it will work out. Thanks for the info. re: contacting the vendor. I put a call in and will see where it gets me. Frustrating thing was I was supposed to received my Domain furniture order anyday now!
dcollie
16 years ago
Wickes going out to 18 months???!! No kidding? Thats amazing. Even crazier is if the suppliers will agree to it. Thats not extending terms, thats asking for a free loan.

Steve, I think with all this talk of 'Recession' we're going to see a lot more go under in a second wave of stores going bust. For a while it appeared those stores that made it through to 2006 & 2007 were going to survive, but the hit is back on again. People do get spooked and put off non-essential purchases because the media has everyone scared to death of going broke. Going to kill off a lot of the bigger stores that have high overhead. Little Mom n' Pop stores like yours and mine will be what's left standing when the smoke clears.

Duane
mogator88
16 years ago
We are in a recession. Companies from Chrysler to Yahoo are cutting employment and hunkering down. By this time next year interest rates will be up and home prices down even farther.

My biggest problem is suppliers. Each year there are less to choose from. So now they feel complacent. I tell these people what I need to maintain sales and they look at me like I have two heads. I don't want to buy what worked five years ago. Those people aren't in the market now.

Anyways, back to Wickes...

The deal is any new shipments will be paid in a normal time frame. Just the past due stuff gets put on hold.

Wickes is owned by a venture capital firm also. My guess is they're about to be cut off. I think if you sign to something like this it reduces the VC's exposure.

I know of one supplier who signed on. They're betting for more future sales to offset the loss and the existing bills. But most suppliers aren't taking the bait. Or is that drinking the Kool-Aid?
lmyers
16 years ago
Thanks Duane, when I told my DH that Domain did not even process my order, his comment was "isn't that fraud?" Even if I can't prove Domain never faxed in my order, they still lied about it when I called the week of 12/3 to check on the status. I was told it would be in their warehouse by 1/20/08, or maybe I would still get the chairs by 12/30. I should have been told my order wasn't even started and when I called both the corporate office and their store to cancel my order on 1/16, the store led me to believe the order was cancelled and I expected to see my deposit refunded. Even if they stay in business, I will never purchase from Domain again. Also, this was a lesson, I will never leave a 50% deposit if I can help it (just the very minimum amount)!
dcollie
16 years ago
I've been doing 20% deposits for years for a couple of reasons. First off, the purpose of a deposit is to make a customer commit to an order. If the order totals $ 5,000, then a 20% deposit makes that $ 1,000. Not too many people I know will walk away from a thousand dollars so the deposit as a contractual obligation has served its purpose. To ask for $ 2,500 (50%) on an item that can be resold if the deal goes south means (to me) that the store is asking you to loan them money to run their business. Its not right, its not needed.

I will occasionally have to get a 50% deposit when a customer orders something really wild (a pink and neon green leather sofa with white fringe, for example), or a 7.5' Round Custom Table that I try to tell the won't fit through the doorway of their house. Those are pieces for which there is no market for and cannot be resold.

50% deposits also put the dealer 'upside down' on the piece where profits average around 30%, so he's collected up front not only all his profit from the deal, but also 20% of the cost of the goods. It skews his financial picture of his operation and he thinks he has more cash in the bank than he really does. Get a whole bunch of that going on with a several hundred orders and pretty soon the dealer finds he can't pay his suppliers because hes used the deposits for operating capital.

As a customer, if you don't feel comfortable about placing a large deposit on an order, challenge it! Sometimes you're buying a new home and don't have a lot of extra cash, or paid off some medical bills, etc...a good dealer works with you on adjusting the amount, its not set in stone. If it is, move on to another store. Some of my old, loyal customers that I have I don't even bother with deposits as their word is their bond - they just call me on the phone and tell me what they want and I get it for them. The vast majority of people are honest, and pay their bills right when you ask them, making large deposits unnecessary.

Duane Collie
mogator88
16 years ago
We take a number of orders in the $500-$1000 range. Where we are people have walked away from a $100-200 deposit if they find something they like better. So our deposit is about 35%.
nanmeade
16 years ago
Regarding Wickes>>>

Here is a link that might be useful: Defer payments to vendors
sonicstef
16 years ago
Just learning about Domain filing Chapter 11. I ordered a couch with them earlier this month and I was shocked to learn they didn't take a deposit.

So Im not out the funds should they not be able to deliver but I'd rather not find out 16 weeks from now that my couch will never arrive.

Should I assume that Domain is a lost cause and find my couch elsewhere?
mogator88
16 years ago
Domain is a lost cause. Its very, very, very possible you won't get your couch, and even if you do you will have no recourse if you have any problems.
sonicstef
16 years ago
Thanks mogator. Thankfully, Domain doesn't have any of my money so I can easily walk away.

Anyone know where I can buy the same couch elsewhere?
bphack
16 years ago
What if I ordered furniture from Domain using their store credit card on 12/31/07? I never paid them a dime and cancelled my order on 1/17/08. Am I in the clear?
bphack
16 years ago
Who do you call to dispute the Domain Credit Card charges??
bphack
16 years ago
I just called HBSC, whom the Domain card is with, at 1-877-560-0761 to dispute the charges. The only way to get an actual operator is to select the choice for a credit line increase. Looks like they'll clean this up now. Supposedly will take two billing cycles.
cjac2
16 years ago
Talking about getting screwed...everyone please read this. We purchased a $3,100.00 entertainment unit in May of 2007. It came damaged and our shelf was not included with the unit. Domaine replaced the unit in November and it too was damaged, but we agreed keep it after they offered us an $800.00 credit, but it was contingent on the shelf being delivered, which completed the unit and which we still hadn't received. We went back and forth with customer service up to about three weeks ago because they were still looking for our shelf. Here's the kicker. They filed chapter 11, we never got out credit nor the shelf. When we called the Huntington store we were told by "Allison" that they have our shelf, it's in the backroom, but she cannot give it to us because it belongs to the liquidator...my husband and I are so sick by all of this. We never spent this much money on furniture. It was our first nice piece and everything including the shelf was paid for in full....my husband is going over to the store tomorrow to demand our shelf...I hope he doesn't get arrested. We are so out of our minds about the whole thing....the only other thing I can think of is going directly to the manufacturer to inquire about getting a replacement shelf. Does anyone know who that might be? Any input would be appreciated. Thanks
dcollie
16 years ago
Ahhh...its only a shelf! I can't see why they would say it belongs to the liquidator.

Here's a tip though...I suggest your husband does not go over there and raise hell. The employees there have nothing to lose, their jobs are already toast so raging on them will just mean they will stand their ground and give some payback for every customer abuse they ever tolerated. Have him go over there in a gentle manner, and (even if its killing him) get on a personal level with an employee and say "This has got to be tough on you, I'm sure you are not sure where you'll be working next. Then hand the person a twenty-dollar bill and say "that shelf is no good to anyone but me, think you could get it for me?"

I know you don't want to fork over a twenty, but thats a lot cheaper than trying to buy a whole new shelf from the maker and I bet you that you get it in just a few minutes.

Duane Collie
cjac2
16 years ago
Duane

A great suggestion about the $, thanks. We had already decided last night that it would be advantageous for us to be as nice as possible and to try our best to get at her heart strings; however, my fear was if that didn't work then my husband would loose it after trying the nice approach. But the $ thing is a great idea and we appreciate the suggestion. I will let you know tonight if my husband comes home with our shelf. Thanks again.

Jeannine Comito
Smithtown, New York
sigh
16 years ago
Jeannine- I sincerely hope that your husband was successful. Regarding finding out the manufacturer of your entertainment unit- check the tags that came with it, or if there were any yellow hang tags attached to it. That should include the vendor code. Domain customer service should be able to then tell you who the manufacturer is.

I know that a lot of Domain's upholstered stuff is made by Palladin & I have a leather ottoman that's Palladin via Domain as well. But I don't know anything about the wood items.

I hadn't known anything about this until I heard it on the radio a few nights ago. Domain was the only place that I was able to find Palladin near me so this is very frustrating as I was putting my LR together one piece at a time.

Anyone have a contact # for Palladin?

Nina
cjac2
16 years ago
Well everyone...good news..we got our shelf. To make a long story short, we spoke to customer service and inquired about making a claim and told them about our shelf situation. They too said there was nothing they could do because of the merchandise belonging to the liquidator. I guess someone there finally had a bit of compassion for our situation; after all, it's been going on for a year now. They called the store and told "Allison" to go ahead and release the shelf. Allison called to give us the good news and said but you must get it this morning before the liquidator comes in to take inventory, which we did.

So now we are going to make a claim for the damaged unit and hopefully we will get some of the money that was promised to us back. Also we paid for a five year warranty but I guess that too is void. However the shelf completed the unit and was most important to us. The sad thing about all of this is the consumer is not protected at all with this sort of thing. And truly there is no way to know when a company might be going out of business. Although my suggestion to all is that if you ever have an ongoing problem like ours, you might want to go online and search about information on the company. After the fact, I did find an article online mentioning the possibility that Domain was going to file chapter 11. In fact when something gets delayed like our shelf did, you might assume that the manufacturer is holding up merchandise from the primary company because of non-payment. The very same thing happened to my sister-in-law recently with her wedding video. It was taking over a year to get and sure enough the company went bankrupt. The company used an outside source for their editing and the editor would not release any tapes because of money owed. So my point is you can always do research while the problem exists. And if something is taking longer than it should beware there could be a reason for it!
cjac2
16 years ago
P.S. Nina, when I spoke to customer service and asked them the name of the manufacturer, they gave it to me. So if you call them about your upholstered stuff made by Palladin & they will give you the number I'm sure.

Good Luck

Jeannine Comito
Smithtown, Long Island
sigh
16 years ago
Jeannine- I'm so glad that you were able to get your shelf! I hope that you can get the credit issue resolved as well. I just wanted to mention that if you paid for the 5 year warranty (furniture protection?) that's through Guardsman, not Domain and you should still be covered. I just happen to have the pamphlet here with me at work (I have no idea why) and checked- it's all about Guardsman & makes no mention of Domain.

This is scary, and kind of sad, because I had always loved Domain furniture and got my sofa, overstuffed chair & ottoman through them just last spring. I still have an overstuffed chair of theirs...the very first piece of new furniture that I ever bought...that I got 14 years ago and it's in immaculate shape. I really feel for anyone that's going through this uncertainty right now.

Sonicstef- I forgot to respond to you earlier. I don't know what style couch you chose but if it's not leather it's very likely that it's made by Palladin.

Nina
susans02
Original Author
16 years ago
Good for you- I'm in the process of disputing a charge on my CC for 2 pieces of furniture that I paid for but will never receive (via Domain). I don't think I'll have a prob getting the charge back. One good thing is that I called the manufacturer of the pieces I ordered to see if they had my order on file. She said they did and it was in the process of being made. She asked if I still wanted it. If so I'd have to pay them in full before they ship it out. I said yes but I have an outstanding balance with my CC that I am disputing and I didn't want to fork any more $$ out until I had a 0 balance on the CC. She said she would put the order on hold and I should call back when I'm in the clear and we can go from there. They are trying to work w/all of the Domain customers to make sure they get hte products they ordered. Best part---since I'm buying directly from the manufacturer she quoted me was alomst $1800 less than Domain (due to major mark up). Hopefully it'll work out in the end.
micaela_21
16 years ago
Does anyone know who the suppliers were for DH's lamps?

Michelle
ryantola_gmail_com
13 years ago
I bought the brompton road (Domain exclusive) leather sectional in late 2007. Does anyone know who made this sofa?

Domain Home Furnishings filing Chapter 11 - bankrupt.....

mogator88

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Domain Home Furnishings filing Chapter 11 - bankrupt.....

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