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Tiny and Time sack 1500
http://www.bbfans.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=52&t=20930		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  JimD [ 27 Jul 05, 21:50 ]
Post subject:  Tiny and Time sack 1500
THE makers of Tiny and Time computers, Granville Technology, are to sack 1500 employees after filing for administration today.

1100 jobs will go at the company's Blackburn factory, and another 400 will go from the 78 computer stores run by the company.

All Granville's directors except the chairman resigned this morning and shuttters were down at all the stores.

There are more than two million Tiny personal computers and laptops in UK homes as well as thousands of Time computers in schools, colleges and universities.

But the company made such huge losses that administrators say it cannot be sold as a going concern and will have to be closed down.

Granville sold its products through stores called The Computer Shop, as well as through other outlets such as Tesco, Asda and Woolworths.

theSUN
Author:  JimD [ 27 Jul 05, 21:56 ]
Post subject:  Time crisis: Will customers get their goods?
ZDNet UK
July 27, 2005, 15:35 BST
zdnet

People who purchased computers from Granville Technology could have a tough time getting their computers - or their money back

The seriousness of the situation at Granville Technology – which owns Time Computers, Tiny and The Computer Shop retail chain —became clearer on Wednesday when the administrators were called in.

The estimated thousands of consumers who have paid for systems and are now waiting for delivery are growing increasingly worried.

One customer asked: "My son's laptop has just gone in for repair. Am I ever likely to see it again?" Those who have purchased maintenance agreements with Granville are concerned too.

While Granville remains in business, consumers can have some recompense with the company. This situation changes if the company goes out of business.

Those who have paid for goods by credit card have the most protection. "Any claim that could have been brought against Time or Tiny can be brought against the credit provider under Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act 1974," said Joanne Barker, senior lawyer at Which? Legal Service.

Under the Sale of Goods Act, if the provider is unwilling or unable to deliver the goods — which could be the case with Granvile Technology — then the consumer can buy a similar product elsewhere and then look to the credit card company for the difference. This is also true for those who have made a part payment. As Barker explains, "if they had paid £500 deposit on a computer costing £3,000 which is not delivered, but have to buy a similar model at £3,500, they can look to the credit card company for the extra they have had to pay".

Those who have paid in cash are in a much more difficult position. If the company has gone into liquidation then a claim has to be made against the liquidators but, as unsecured creditors they will be the last to be paid and may not get paid anything.

Time and Tiny had a range of "cash back" schemes where, as an incentive to buy more equipment, consumers would be offered cash back for purchasing the whole lot. These schemes are very popular in the IT business and especially in the US. Should Granville cease trading, the question of whether or not the consumer can get the cash back will, according to Barker, "depend on whether the cash-back scheme was underwritten by an insurance company, in which case it should not be affected". If the scheme was run by Granville it is unlikely that they will be paid.

There is also bad news for those who had paid for long-term maintenance with Time/Tiny, if Granville collapses for good. "If they paid in cash then their claim will fail," said Barker. However, "if the purchase was made, even in part, on credit card or with a finance agreement then the customer can claim from the credit provider," said Barker. "If any computers were purchased on hire purchase agreements then the claim is against the hire purchase company as they own the computer."
Author:  zx50 [ 28 Jul 05, 2:35 ]
Post subject: 
Ah yes, read about this on the BBC website. Something about not being able to keep up with the competitive prices. I suppose if your going to play with the big boys, then your gonna need plenty of financial backing to do it.
Author:  Calrissian [ 29 Jul 05, 1:15 ]
Post subject: 
Does this mean I can now libel Time and Tiny as the most incompetent and trashy computers EVER made?

Their motherboards are usually junk, - 3-5yrs out of date, lacking features, and always of the lowest dirt quality. Ohh, and their customer service was pathetic.

Calrissian: made his own computer.
Author:  pikeylass [ 29 Jul 05, 1:17 ]
Post subject: 
Mine and mines are tiny...and erm yeah...
Author:  tastyfish [ 29 Jul 05, 2:09 ]
Post subject: 
Mine was originally a Tiny until I upgraded. The package deal we got was pretty good. If I'd built the PC myself it would cost a lot more, especially with all the software (genuine 'version' of Windows 98 SE at the time) and the rest. What I would say is that users should be more educated about using a PC and this should be made easier and the advice should come from the vendor. I had to install anti-spyware, a firewall and all the other security features myself as they weren't standard at the time. Using a PC shouldn't have to be rocket-science.

I don't think you can expect everyone to build their own PC. Why should they? If I want a TV I don't buy a case, a cathode ray, a glass screen and a tuner separately and assemble it.
Author:  Rincewind [ 29 Jul 05, 2:11 ]
Post subject: 
Mines a nice colour :D
Author:  tastyfish [ 29 Jul 05, 2:14 ]
Post subject: 
Mine was Tiny, but now it's HUGE
Author:  pikeylass [ 29 Jul 05, 2:16 ]
Post subject: 
Should stop talking to me late at night then :D :D :D :D ;)
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