.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.gif)
.jpg)
.jpg)
.jpg)
Bounce Back Loan Cheats Get Bounced
Following two separate cases brought by the Insolvency Service, two directors were given suspended prison sentences of 20 months and six months...
Read Full Article.jpg)
Pants On Fire - Phoenixer Slammed By Authority And Customers
A glass, aluminium and doors company, operated by what has been described as a serial phoenixer, has been slammed by the Advertising Standards Authority. Viva Folio claimed it had 50 years of experience and a 5-Star Trustpilot recommendation.
Michael Damien Barnes was involved as a director with Viva Doors which is currently being managed by the insolvency practitioner, Begbies Traynor. He is still involved with Genesis Greenhouses which has accounts overdue at Companies House. Genesis Greenhouses has operated as Viva Folio on two occasions since 2013 and in-between was known as Viva Projects.
The most recent website for Viva Folio, which came to the attention of the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) in January 2023, featured the claim that ‘Viva has been designing, manufacturing and installing glass, doors and aluminium structures, that are both beautiful and functional, for over 50 years.’
The Trustpilot Five Star logo was displayed at the end of the page.
The ASA found the 50-year claim to be impossible as the company had at best, only operated since 2012.
Viva Folio has a rating of 4 Stars on Trustpilot.
However, when our investigation team looked at TrustPilot, many of the reviews seemed over gushing in their praise for the firm.
Fake review law
It is illegal for a business to post fake online reviews about itself - or about their competitors.
(Consumers who post fake online reviews about a business could be sued for defamation and for malicious falsehood.)
In the consumer world, Amazon estimates the rate of online fake reviews might range between 20%-40%.
There are people who offer review services to publish fake good reviews. The services are particularly in demand from companies that want to counteract a series of bad reviews.
What they said on Trustpilot
Viva have done it again. Viva Folio, Vitral, Tectonic. Goodness knows how many other companies [we have an idea]. The owner manages to preside over a history of failed companies that take deposits, go bust, reform and round again. How on earth the company regulator can let them get away with it time and again. 10 February 2023
Do not use the company
Their standard of communication, delivery of product and timings are simply unprofessional. We have now been waiting over six months to complete an extension that should, by Viva terms, have been completed three months ago. 27 January 2023.
Viva Doors Ltd - proposed liquidation
According to a letter dated 3rd February 2023 from Revive Business Recovery Ltd (Doncaster), in light of the Company's financial position, on 30 January 2023 the board of directors (Michael Barnes), resolved that the Company should go into creditors' voluntary liquidation.
We had engaged Viva in September 2022 to provide and install doors and windows. We paid a deposit of 30% in good faith in September 2022 and a further 30% once the General Arrangement Drawings had been approved in November 2022. We were informed that the products would go into production and be ready to be supplied and installed during February 2023.
Wrongful trading occurs when a company's directors have continued to trade when they knew or should have concluded, that there was no reasonable prospect that the company would avoid insolvent liquidation or insolvent administration.
Why did the shareholder incorporate a new company Viva Folio (14478764)? 06 February 2023.
Excellent customer service
Excellent customer service. Was kept informed regularly on progress of order. Fitters turned up on time and although there was an issue with the door not closing, the fitters returned following day and corrected the door. This was an outside bifold door on canopy so no security issues cannot thank them enough. 04 June 2021.
Great company
I’ve worked with a lot of companies over the years and I can genuinely say Viva is a great company to work with. Smooth professional service, very competitive priced products + professional installation team. If you are looking for a good window and door company to work with, this is one. 05 May 2021.
Truly sorry
Many of us are truly sorry that you became victims of Michael Damien Barnes and his cohorts. Sadly, Trustpilot deleted our warnings as we were victims of one of his previous companies, Apropos and not of Viva Folio. I know it is of no consolation but we did try only to be prevented by Trustpilot. 01 March 2023.
Picture: A glazing, window and door firm has been slammed by the advertising Standards Authority for a misleading website and Trustpilot review.
www.find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
13th April 2023