Beast Computers gone bust?

[validium]

I've just read on another forum that Beast Computers have gone bust, can anyone confirm this as I was looking at one of their systems for after christmas.
I've tried ringing them but just keep getting a message saying they are not available, and they haven't replied to any mails sent over a week ago.
There have been rumours that they were in trouble floating about for the last month. They have even turned their forum off after complaints about them started filling it up.
Anyone know what's going on?

[SufferWell1396]

doesn't look to me as if they've gone out of business. i can't find a single article on it.
their website still talks about buying a computer from them as a present for christmas, so i'm pretty sure they're still alive.
can't be too sure though.
Their forums are down because they're upgrading.
This forum does the same thing when the upgrade becomes available.
doesn't mean they're outa business.

[validium]

On another forum one of the moderators has spoken to a "former" employee and he has confirmed that they have indeed ceased trading.
Another victim of the credit crunch I guess. Looks like we could be stuck with only the big companies left.

[britboy4321]

Here is the low-down from plenty of research I did because beast computers owe me! BEAST COMPUTERS BUST?


Beast Computers was a trading name of Cybedia Ltd.

On 22nd December a new company put it's phone number on to the main Beast Computers website - a company called 'Wired2Fire'..

They have bought the trading name 'Beast Computers' from the old company Cybedia Ltd, as Cybedia hit some financial trouble. They have NOT bought Cybedia Ltd. 'Who cares' you may think -- but this is an important technical distinction as will be covered later.

The new guys who have bought the trading name are based in Dorking, Surrey. They seem friendly enough, but are under no legal obligation to respect your purchases, or items, that are currently owed to you by Cybedia Ltd (warranty, etc). Therefore phoning up and rudely demanding THEY now fix your 'under warranty' problem with your BEAST or replace your broken -- er -- whatever .. will get you nowhere. Go find Cybedia Ltd, it's THEM you have your warranty deal with, not the new owners of beastcomputers.

The new owners are very polite and friendly, and are (as far as it seems) a completely different group of lads -- so don't go screaming down the phone at them because you're annoyed with Cybedia Ltd.. as it serves no purpose. They are trying to offer as much help as possible, but try and understand they have bought the name 'Beast Computers', NOT the liability (to you) of 'Cyberia Ltd'.

Note at the time of writing the website still has some Cybedia information on it -- this is just because they haven't got round to changing it all yet ..

Now - have Cybedia ACTUALLY gone bust? Well -- at the time of writing -- technically - no. For a company to cease trading they have a few legal obligations. Not least, a message has to, legally, appear on a London website called http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/index.htm. This is a LEGAL REQUIREMENT. If the message is not on here -- they are NOT bust.

When, or if this message ever appears -- and you are still owed something by Cybedia Ltd (when THEY owned the name 'Beast computers' (not guarantee .. but maybe warranty or hardware they owe you or some cash or something) -- you want to get on the phone to a nice chap who deals with insolvencies -- his number is 0845 6029848. BUT not until the website I stated has said Cybedia has filed for insolvency -- otherwise you are completely wasting the (innocent!) guy's time. Remember when you call him he has NOTHING to do specifically with Cyberia Ltd so don't bitch and moan at him he's just a insolvency service guy -- instead do the following:

When you call him, he will confirm they have, officially, sunk (or tell you to go away if they haven't -- why didn't you just check the website :( . -- and then either say 'The court has appointed a [insolvency guy]', or 'They have yet to appoint an [insolvency guy] try again later'.

(Forgotten the actual technical name of the insolvency guy!)

IF he says 'They have appointed an insolvency guy' ask for the guy's phone number. Then phone him ASAP and tell him what Cybedia Ltd (aka 'the old Beast Computers') owe you in cash amount (don't say 'They owe me a new motherboard' -- say 'they owe me the value of x for damaged/undelivered goods'). Warranty is a grey area -- especially if you paid for - say - 2 years .. and are 17 months in. Technically you are owed less than half of what you paid originally (NOT the whole amount as you have 'used' some warranty whether you made a claim or not)-- so use maths and derive a figure and ask for that (if it's not correct, the insolvency guy will reject your claim and you'll get nowt -- so I'd ask for less rather than more if I were you - but it's your call - but don't try to scam as formal 'insolvency guys' are not stupid creatures !) Then as far as I make out any money they manage to get is doled out on a first-ask, first-served basis. They can choose to pay everyone a percentage based on what money is available (after they've flogged any assets Cyberia has, etc). Chances are you won't see a penny.

If however the notice of liquidation doesn't appear on the website and you still want to try (emphasize 'TRY') to get money you're owed out of Cybedia Ltd as a trading body (like it currently, technically still is) -- then I'd suggest a little chat to the guys on phone number 08454 040506 will certainly put you on the right lines. This actually appears HARDER than insolvency .. as then you're looking at doing some kind of small claims court or something rather than insolvency which is just adding your name and an amount to the list!

Now for 4 conclusions

1) The new chaps behind the name 'Beast Computers' are innocent! They are the new owners of the TRADE NAME -- NOT the owners of debt to you (in the form of 'a repair', 'a replacement'etc.) So now that SOMEONE is answering the phones -- be nice to them they're still trying to help, but realise you are NOT dealing with the people who have annoyed you!
2) Cybedia is not technically dead at the time of writing. It is not insolvent. Technically they have just sold 1 of their trading names. Useful info if moving forward.
3) I'm going to repeat this one -- Your grief is with Cybedia ltd -- NOT the new owners of Beast computers. The new owners want to be nice to you, but hold no legal obligation to you. Don't be an ar$e to them.
4) Everyone I have spoken to -- including insolvency people -- have said 'off the record' there is virtually zero chance of me ever seeing my money again -- especially with regards to the extended warranty I paid for but hadn't even started yet! So if you're thinking 'can I be bothered to progress this or not' .. well .. up to you .. but my gut feel from all the research I've done is it could be one, big, waste of time ending with you getting zero pence anyway :(


Hope this is of some help to someone .. if so -- write and tell me as it took ages to type this lot!

Britters.

ps. I'd put money that Adam from Cyberia is also gutted about the company hitting the rocks -- so if you manage to get in touch with him, why not be nice?

[Mini-Me]

A very well thought out and well worded post.
And an interesting read(yes, I read it all) even though it does not effect me at all, but I thought you wrote that well. :)

Welcome to the PC guide, by the way...
;)