We are beginning to think that there is no such company as Belfastsinks.co.uk. It claims to be a specialist supplier, so we placed a £174 order in September.

We have tried to contact it by phone and email to find out when it is going to deliver, but no reply. The number goes to voicemail, or is not answered.

AR, Diss

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that Belfast Sinks UK is a real company, the bad news is it doesn’t expect your sink to arrive in time for Christmas.

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It says it is expecting a stock delivery at the end of December, adding that delays are down to raw material supply issues and a firing error at the factory.

It says: “We have been in contact with customers and offered refunds of which some have accepted and some have kept the orders open, as it seems many companies are out of stock until February/March next year.”

Your order has now been cancelled but no refund was required as payment was due to be taken upon delivery.

This story ended well. However, generally, if you are buying online from a company for the first time study the website and also look for customer reviews. Pay using a credit card, so if anything goes wrong you will be able to claim under section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act. And if the price looks too good to be true, it probably is.

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