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Shop Went Bust Before Delivering My Order
If a retailer goes into administration before delivering, your protection depends on how you paid. Section 75 covers a single item costing over £100 bought on a credit card, even if you only paid a deposit on the card. Chargeback may help with debit cards. With cash, a cheque or a bank transfer you can generally only claim from the administrator, which may recover little.
At a Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Your Protection Depends on How You Paid
If the Retailer Goes Bust
If a retailer goes into administration, your protection depends on how you paid. Section 75 covers a single item costing over £100 bought on a credit card, even if you only paid a deposit on the card. Chargeback on a Visa or Mastercard debit card, or on a credit card for items of £100 or less, is an industry scheme, not a legal right. source
Cash, Cheque or Transfer
With cash, a cheque or a bank transfer you generally have no protection if the retailer goes into administration. You can only claim from the administrator as a creditor, which may recover little. Ask for card payment when ordering furniture in advance. source
Chargeback
For a chargeback, claim within 120 days of realising there is a problem, not from the payment date. Note that date. source
Section 75
If you paid by credit card, or with regulated buy now pay later, Section 75 can let you claim from the card or credit provider as well as the shop. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 120 daysChargeback claimWithin 120 days of realising there is a problem
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 4
Find your receipt or order confirmation and check how you paid.
Step 2 of 4
If you paid by credit card, contact the card provider about Section 75. If you paid by debit card, ask about a chargeback.
Step 3 of 4
Act quickly: the chargeback time limit counts from when you realised there was a problem.
Step 4 of 4
If you paid by cash, cheque or transfer, register with the administrator as a creditor.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
Your Card or Credit Provider
If you paid by credit card or regulated buy now pay later and the shop will not put it right.
The Administrator, If the Retailer Has Gone into Administration
As a last resort after trying Section 75 or chargeback. It may recover little.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
When ordering furniture in advance, ask to pay by card.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 12 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/company-administration-help Checked 12 October 2026
- fca.org.uk/consumers/buy-now-pay-later Checked 12 October 2026