Refund owed not paid.

[NathanP]

Myself and a number of others entered into a group buy agreement with a supplier of high tech goods. The supplier seemed to have completed large orders previously, and has been recommended by wholsaler forums (requiring the provision of details and business references top the forums administrator).

All monies paid to the (ltd) company, at which point communication started to reduce from them. Furthur chasing revealed that the shipment of good had been delayed, not a problem as I have experienced this myself before.
Then delayed still, then not availiable, then a full refund through bank transfer offered and accepted, no refund, will be end of next week etc. The day the refunds were supposedly paid was the day that communications ceased completly.

Essentially we are now in a position of the company has effectivly stopped all communications to all individuals involved, nobody has recieved refunds (totalling over £8000 as a group) and we are left out in the cold feeling scammed and defeating the point of doing quite a bit of research in teh first place.

What we have done so far:
Determined the company address is a PO Box with Mailboxes INC
Determined home address from Companies house records, cross referenced with the electoral register and other sources on the internet showing previous business dealings with the company, attempted contact here results in denial the director of secetary lives there as the occupant 'rents' it from somebody else.
Informed Trading Standards and upon advice written recorded letters asking for refunds within 14 days before following legal action.
Listed and collated information about all communications, email and phonecalls to the company.

I would really appreciate any advice as to where to go from here,
Do we approach the company as a group or should I act as an individual?
What would you say our chances are of success against the company?
What legal options do we have to obtain our funds back?

Thankyou in advance

Nathan

[bwglaw]

You need to issue proceedings in the County Court. As for the merits of your claim - I cannot say, without first establishing all the facts. If you are successful and do get judgment you then have to jump another hurdle; enforcement proceedings, you may or may not succeed here depending on the assets of the judgment debtor.