Copy this entire thread....
I can't believe that the UK authorities wouldn't love to get a copy of this thread....
I suggest anyone who has issues with this stupid company, copy this entire thread and take it to your authorities. I'm sure there's a group that specializes in consumer and internet ripoffs.
My suggestion, go get 'em
Or perhaps someone (not me)
who is tech savy could copy this thread and the section from the "All threads" index and send it to JMC Furniture and so they might get a sense of the public perception of their company with respect to the 7400 plus reads on this less than flattering thread since 06.
Barcelona chairs, tulip and other to Portugal - JMC fraud
Hi!
After some research about sites suplying for Portugal I bought from Modern Classics Direct 2 Barcelona chairs, 1 Tulip chair, 1 Eileen Grey table and a Tolomeo Desk Lamp, and paid 1120,05 Pounds by Visa at 05-12-2007. John Christopher from Modern Classics Direct (JMC)always informed me by mail that everything was on stock and ready to deliver. After I made the order I asked for a confirmation about the date of delivery and had a confirmation it would be earlier next week, meaning the 10-12-2007.
At the 16-12-2007 I started to ask for a confirmation of the goods dispatch, and after some phone calls (all going directly to the voice mail) and emails all without any reply I started to think I was victim of a fraud.
So, I decided to check on that... just created a new email as a Spanish person and asked for prices and stock for Le Corbusier chaise longue and of course John Christopher replied.
I identified myself as the person who paid and had no replies and John Christopher replied claiming I was making 'outrageous accusasions' and asking for my order number.
I replied with my order number but also with this site on copy, saying that I would apologuise if the proof of delivery was send imediatly. Also I would not porsuite with a complaint in Visa, my bank and whatever available entities exists to complaint about fraudulent companies and business if I had that proof of delivery.
Of course I had no more replies...
I will wait for a refund untill wednesday - 26-12-2007 (day that my bank will open after the Xmas bank holidays).
John Christopher is probably reading this blog now... So please facilitate the resolution and reply to me with a refund of what I paid so we can avoid legal problems for you. Also my lawyer is already on the run.
A nice Xmas for all (mine would be good if I the material I paid for and in execlent conditions).
John Christopher is not...
John Christopher is not reading this blog!!!!! JMC furniture is well know fraud and needs to be shut down and needs to spend time in Prison for fraud, I feel sorry for all of you folks that have been ripped by him.
i can not believe that visa master card or Amex puts up with his kind of fraud and has not shut him down
Modern Classics Direct again...
Following my previous posts here are the current status of a not solved situation...
Starting form the background...
Last 5th December 2007 I ordered and paid on line to Modern Classics Direct UK two black Barcelona chairs, 1 Fully Black Tulip Chair, a Tolomeo lamp and an Eileen Gray side table. I ordered under the promise that everything was on stock and that would be immediately sent to me.
After several emails and not answered phone calls, I received at the 11th January 2008 the Eileen Gray table, an OK Barcelona chair, a broken Barcelona chair and a white tulip chair.
I immediately complained to Modern Classics Direct UK by email including photos of the problem. Regarding the Tolomeo lamp I was later advised that it would be not available and that I could receive a credit what I accepted.
For the wrong tulip chair and the broken Barcelona I was promised by email that the replacement free of charges would be done next week after the 11th January 2008.
Having received nothing one week after I contacted Modern Classics Direct UK by telephone and email and always received the promise that it would be done next week but 2 months passed and I still do not have the issue solved.
I am desperate and Iam here asking for help. Does anyone know to whom I may present a complaint in the UK? Which associations give support in these cases?
Thank you in advance
Carlos Manuel
.
Hi Carlos
I really feel for you, I was on the brink of ordering from them myself and the website was in my bookmark folder - however for whatever reason I went elsewhere - and thank the lord that I did.
The only thing I could really suggest is contacting trading standards, and also maybe taking a trip to the address on the website with a couple of toughs - Sorry I can't be of more help. Their really should be something done about this scumbag - but what?
Report it to watchdog (a tv...
Report it to watchdog (a tv program if your not in the UK) - They name and shame bad, dodgy and bogus companies.
Trading standards as Mark says, maybe even citizens advice bureau? Good luck which ever path you take.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/consumer/tv_and_radio/watchdog/
Julietta
There is a lot of terminology thrown around about the modern classics. Most of the designs (le corbusier's chaise, for example) are in the public realm, which means anyone can make them. However, most of the designer names (LeCorbusier, Eames, Saarinen) are trademarked by the company that originally produced the furniture, or the company that holds the license. So - Knoll can claim that theirs is a Saarinen Tulip Table, but anyone else must claim that it is "inspired by" a "copy" or a "reproduction" of a Saarinen table. Many times the words "Saarinen Style" are used. To buy something considered "Authentic" the company making it must hold the rights, either through the designers foundation (The LeCorbusier Foundation) or because they originally manufactured it (Eames/Herman Miller).
There are a few examples: The Barcelona chair, the Noguchi Table, the Eames Loung chair, and the Emeco Navy Chair are NOT in the public realm. They have all be granted "incontestable status" by the US Patent Office. "Incontestable status" means that if there is ANY chance that a customer might be confused (as you are) as to which is the authentic piece, that the maker of the knock-off is breaking the law. The idea is that the very shape of these pieces goes above and beyond simple industrial design, and have an iconic status in the design world. Another example of such a piece is the CocaCola Bottle- the shape of the bottle = CocaCola, therefore no one else can use it.
If you search the archives there are many arguments for and against knock-off. In my opinion knock-offs are bad for a number of reasons: they hurt the economy, they damage the reputation of the original designer, they are almost always made with inferior materials.
modernclassicsdirect are crooks, too!
I had the same problem, a Florence Knoll sofa and two chairs ordered in November from modernclassicsdirect.co.uk
Repeated promises they would be delivered in two weeks, excuses about an Italian transport strike (which another Italian repro furniture shop I checked with had never heard of).
I was lucky to get my money back from Visa, because they have a 120 day limit on claims; luckily they went from the delivery date, not the order date. So make sure you dispute the claim with the credit card company sooner rather than later.
I would love to know if ANYONE is receiving their furniture, especially as modernclassics do have a showroom at 102 Cavell St, E1. That's where I would have headed if I hadn't got the Visa refund.
I will call Trading Standards tomorrow and see what they say.
Dear Carlos and others,
I...
Dear Carlos and others,
I have called Trading Standards. However, as I have received my money back from Visa, it appears they will not necessarily take any action. For them to confirm they will take action, they will need someone who is still waiting for their furniture, or for their refund.
So, if this is the case with anyone reading this, you need to call Trading Standards on 0845 4040506
and refer them to JMC Trading Limited, 16 South End, Croydon, CR0 1DN.
If you need any help, please contact us at – info@designaddict.com