A NEWLY-WED Hampshire couple have been left without wedding presents after an on-line gift company went bust.
Lisa and Gareth Shaw thought The Gift Registry was the perfect place to keep their wedding list as it enabled guests to select presents from a variety of different high street stores.
After tying the knot in Canterbury on July 31, the couple honeymooned in Italy before returning to their home in Creedy Gardens, West End, where they waited for their wedding gifts to arrive.
More than a month went by, and still they waited.
Eventually one consignment arrived on September 26 containing only three out of the 30 presents guests had bought them - a Dyson vacuum cleaner, a set of measuring spoons and a carving fork.
The Gift Registry apologised for the delay, which it blamed on unexpected demand, and promised the rest of the gifts would be delivered on October 16 - with £50 compensation.
This week, devastated Lisa, 22, and Gareth, 24, received a letter telling them the firm had gone into administration with losses of more than £300,000.
The collapse has left more than 350 couples without their gifts and thousands of wedding guests out of pocket.
Lisa, who is studying for a PhD at Southampton General Hospital, said: "We were totally shocked.
"We couldn't quite believe it when the letter arrived. The presents we haven't received are worth around £1,500.
"We had already sent out thank you letters to our guests because the long wait was getting embarrassing. Now we have had to write to everyone again to say actually their presents never arrived. We just hope that people will be able to get their money back."
The company, which was set up in June last year, would then organise the gifts and arrange delivery.
Lisa and Gareth became concerned by the repeated delivery delays, and their fears worsened after the company was featured on the BBC's Watchdog programme.
All the staff employed at The Gift Registry's offices in Chessington, Surrey, have been made redundant. Customers affected are being advised to make a claim through their credit or debit card company. Administrators Begbies Traynor were called in on October 8 and opted to close the business.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article