Fury of ladies who cannot return clothes after Matches Fashion folds
- Company was put into administration by Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group
Matches Fashion, which sells high-end manufacturers together with Gucci and Prada, has been put into administration by its former proprietor Frasers Group, which is managed by multi-billionaire Mike Ashley.
The transfer – lower than three months after Frasers purchased the corporate for £52 million – has left consumers within the lurch.
But this weekend Mr Ashley’s Frasers Group refused to assist Matches clients.
Some consumers who’ve splashed out on designer wares, lots of which fetch four-figure sums, are 1000’s of kilos out of pocket. They are unable to return costly clothes or get their a reimbursement.
The Mail on Sunday can reveal confused clients have been informed they can’t return any orders made earlier than March 8, when directors Teneo took management.
Shoppers who purchased wares from Matches Fashion are livid after being unable to return their costly luxurious garments
But objects purchased after this date might be returned. Shoppers have 14 days from receiving an order to request a ‘return number’ then an extra seven days to ship the merchandise again.
Matches, with its flagship location providing two flooring of personal retail suites in a five-storey Mayfair townhouse, had been beloved by rich consumers searching for an unique service, and it shipped to 176 international locations.
Susan Marmot, who positioned a UK order on March 6, posted in an internet evaluate: ‘You have literally stolen from me. You allowed me to place an order two days before you refuse returns without informing me that you would not allow me to return the goods.
‘Now I… am stuck with non-fitting clothes I would never have ordered had you said at the time.’
Consumer skilled Scott Dixon mentioned: ‘Mike Ashley, who is a billionaire, has left many customers high and dry through no fault of their own. Although he may not have a legal obligation to honour refunds, he has a moral obligation to do so.’
Teneo argues it’s not answerable for returns or refunds on purchases made earlier than it took over as administrator. Frasers, which declined to remark, can also be refusing to take accountability.
The couple offered a majority stake to non-public fairness group Apax Partners in 2017, which then offered it on to Frasers Group for £52million in December 2023. Frasers, which owns Sports Direct, mentioned Matches had ‘consistently missed its business targets’ and made losses.
Almost 300 of Matches’ 533 employees have been made redundant on March 8 when directors took over, however the firm remains to be buying and selling.
Mr Ashley, 59, is called a ruthless operator with a brash administration type. He has been locked in a number of courtroom battles, the most recent of which is a wrangle with financier Amanda Staveley over the sale of Newcastle United Football Club, which he beforehand owned.
Mr Dixon, who runs The Complaints Resolver web site, mentioned consumers could possibly declare from their bank card corporations, that are obliged to refund purchases between £100 and £30,000 if they’re defective or don’t arrive.
Mike Ashley’s Frasers Group has put Matches into administration however refused to assist clients. Mr Ashley is called a ruthless operator with a brash administration type
However, he mentioned this might show ‘a struggle’.
‘They should not have to resort to trying to get refunds from banks and having to fight for what is rightfully theirs,’ he added.
A US buyer mentioned she ‘received defective items and was told I couldn’t return nor be refunded’.
One London-based Matches worker mentioned she was ‘made redundant with zero warning on Friday morning via Zoom’ regardless of having labored there for 2 years. She added: ‘It can only be described as perhaps the most soulless and callous handling of people’s lives and livelihoods I’ve ever witnessed. We’re all in shock and definitely gained’t be staying quiet.’
