Mum and son's box of tricks

Jul 13 2008 Additional Reporting By Jane Barrie

A MOTHER and son behind an internet firm have taken a fortune from customers for flat-screen TVs that never arrive.

I have received a stream of complaints about ebox.co.uk, run by Jenny and Sean Clark.

The firm sold electrical goods and promised fast delivery.

But when orders failed to arrive, furious customers were met with excuses and broken promises.

One Scots victim says she was fobbed off with the ridiculous claim her original TV and two replacements were all lost in the post.

Two customers have lodged court actions in a bid to get their money back and Trading Standards are investigating.

Meanwhile the firm are about to be struck off at Companies House for not filing accounts.

Four of my readers are still waiting for their goods.

Housewife Trudi Kirkwood is £400 out of pocket for a 37 in TV she ordered in March.

Tony Breski is still fighting for £507.50 paid for a flat-screen model in February.

Matthew Potter is £364 down for a set which should have arrived by Christmas.

Roger Hannaford has yet to see the £98 cordless phone he bought in February.

Trudi, 47, of Kennoway, Fife, said: "It took me four months to save for the telly. I've lost count of the times I have been told I'd get the goods or my cash back.

"They cannot be allowed to get away with this."

Mum-of-four Trudi paid £400 plus £8.50 postage in March.

She said: "I wanted to pay using the PayPal money transfer service but Sean Clark said I couldn't as their PayPal account was going through a six-monthly check.

"I stupidly paid the money direct into their bank account." When Trudi's TV had still not arrived weeks later she called to complain.

She said: "They claimed it had been lost in the post and told me to get on to Royal Mail.

"But since then Sean Clark has claimed three TVs have been lost in the post on their way to my house. They are completely at it."

Tony's flat-screen TV has not arrived five months after he paid.

Tony, 38, demanded a refund and received £300 but called me when there was no sign of the rest.

The computer programmer, of Bolton, said: "The police say it is a civil matter and are not interested. This company must be stopped."

Matthew Potter paid in December but is still waiting.

Kitchen fitter Matthew, 45, of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, said:"It'snot the money but the principle. Why should they get away with this?"

Matthew has lodged a small claims action to get his money.

I soon found out Sean Clark, 31, has been involved in six firms. Four are dissolved.

They include It's Bananas Ltd and Clark & Clark Logistics Ltd.

He is listed as a secretary of ebox.co.uk Ltd based in Eastleigh, Hampshire.

Jenny, 58, is a director of ebox but was also involved in Clark & Clark Logistics, now dissolved.

An application was made at Companies House in March to have ebox struck off but the action has been suspended after complaints from customers.

My investigators collared Sean Clark at his Southampton home.

He said: "I'm not a director of the company. I have no comment to make."

Jenny Clark was unavailable.

If my readers don't see their cash soon I'll be putting you all in the picture about it.

'They said three TVs got lost in post..they are at it'

- TRUDI KIRKWOOD