Are Zoombits in trouble after 60% sale, ask customers
October 7th, 2010 • 48 CommentsFolks, if you’re thinking of buying goods from online retailers Zoombits or Memorybits, stop what you’re doing and read this. While we can’t say definitively, there seems to be some sort of trouble at the Jersey-based operation.
Ever since the company advertised a one day sale with 60% off everything, customers have reported major problems in receiving orders and contacting customer services. However, it seems Zoombits have had no such problems taking the money from customer’s bank accounts. There are dozens of complaints on not only Hot UK Deals but MSE too.
There is speculation in the HUKD forums that the company may be in financial difficulties. We can’t confirm that, but we can summarise what we have heard:
• Zoombits held a 60% off everything sale on 29th September
• Their SSL (HTTPS) certificate (required so customers can place secure online transactions) appears to have expired two days later
* Their online checkout is currently offline, and appears to have been since 30th September
• The Live Response chat service is currently unavailable and apparently has been since 28th September
• The two phone numbers we can find for Corebits Services Ltd (a company associated with Zoombits, Memorybits and Vitabits) are 0845 8888 222 and 01534 713 100. We’ve tried them repeatedly – as have many of their customers – only for our call to go unanswered.
• Emails to the company appear to have gone unanswered since the beginning of October
• According to HUKD forum members, some customers have received smaller items, others have received part of their orders, while many have received nothing.
• Zoombits have an eBay store – currently there is nothing for sale; again, according to forum members, the last sale was 30th September
• the company’s other online stores – such as lovememory.co.uk – are experiencing similar problems with their customers services and checkout
So to all intents and purposes, the company has effectively ceased trading; it isn’t possible to buy from the company, or contact any representative – or their directors, Jonathan and Henrietta Ruff. According to Jersey Companies House, a new company was set up just three months ago – Corebits Global Ltd – although there’s currently no evidence of it trading yet.
If we hear anything else, we’ll let you know. In the meantime, if you receive any information about Zoombits, please let us know and we’ll pass it on.
Update, 12 October – we’ve received an email from Richmond Tower communications, a PR agency representing Jonathan and Henrietta Ruff, which states the pair no longer have any connection with Memorybits or Zoombits, after selling both businesses in February of this year.
The people they use for fulfilment are TW4, see their newsletter saying they won the contract:
http://www.tw4.com/newsletter.html
Maybe contact ‘Ron de Bos’ and ask them whats happening?
So they hold a one day sale to get money in before they go bust – nice!
Customers who haven’t received their goods need to start talking to their credit card companies about getting the money back…
Also look at this Linked In profile:http://uk.linkedin.com/in/spindicator Click ‘Corebits’ and look what loads.. MemoryBits. Seem they have renmaed Memorybits..Corebits
Scum, subhuman scum.
Many memory cards show out of stock. I have brought from these guys before and never saw this situation. I know they used to resale some items from another vendor and they may lost credit with them.
We knew we were in trouble but decided we needed a new extension & our car is more than 6 mths old & due for a change.
Thanks for the cash guys
i ordered just over £115 worth of stuff off this site im still hoping to recieve the goods ive ordered from them quite a few times over the last couple of years, communication is usually lacking and delivery always takes ages but ive usually got my items. this time however im getting worried! while looking on the net all i can see is people getting worried!!! i guess like they say if a deals to good to be true it probably is!!!!! i stupidly paid with debit card and ive read somewhere thet visa have this 120 day scheme where by if you dont recieve your items you can get your money back? anyone have any idea about this? or even done the same thing?
thanks very much
Hi
I was caught when when that French online company (sorry I’ve forgotten their name -blanked from my memory) went bust and paid by visa debit card…reported it to my bank who said the money has to be recovered from the companies funds…so if they have no money you don’t get a refund from your debit card.
Needless to say I’m still waiting………………………
BIT OF INVESTIGATING AND FOUND OUR FRIENDLY MR RUFF IS IN CONTROL OF A NEWER ONLINE STORE NAMED DEALTASTIC . HOW HE CAN SLEEP AT NIGHT I WILL NEVER KNOW AND HOPEFULLY HE CATCHES SOME NASTY DISEASE (OR ME CATCHING UP WITH HIM PERSONALLY !!) JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW AND AVOID THIS NEW SITE
at ANGRY CUSTOMER.
since a few month the Dealastic ist not any more a part of the Vitabits group and has nothing to do with zoombits.
Hi,
I see It is not only me You fell victim to memorybits. I ordered memorycards £55 of worth but I am still waiting. It has been 2weeks since I bought the cards. I bought cards beforehand They always sent the cards There was no problem. but now They don`t reply to emals. I paid by paypal just made a claim and hoping I will see my money back…..
I AM HORRIFIED TO READ THE COMMENTS ABOUT MEMORYBITS AND ZOOMBITS AND FEEL FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS PLACED AN ORDER AND HAS NOT RECEIVED IT. I SOLD THE COMPANIES 6 MONTHS AGO TO BRIAN WELSH AND IT SEEMS THINGS HAVE GONE DOWN HILL AND HE HAS PUT THE COMPANY INTO LIQUIDATION. I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT ON FRIDAY AFTER A FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD LIKE TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT THAT JONATHAN RUFF OR HENRIETTA RUFF SOLD THE MENTIONED COMPANIES ON THE 1ST FEB 2010 AND SINCE THIS DATE HAVE HAD NO PART IN THE COMPANY OR HOLD ANY SHAREHOLDING. WE HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO GET YOUR PRODUCTS OR MONEY BACK BUT THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO SPEAK WITH THE LIQUIDATOR
KIND REGARDS
JONATHAN RUFF
“I AM HORRIFIED TO READ THE COMMENTS ABOUT MEMORYBITS AND ZOOMBITS AND FEEL FOR ANYBODY WHO HAS PLACED AN ORDER AND HAS NOT RECEIVED IT. I SOLD THE COMPANIES 6 MONTHS AGO TO BRIAN WELSH AND IT SEEMS THINGS HAVE GONE DOWN HILL AND HE HAS PUT THE COMPANY INTO LIQUIDATION. I ONLY FOUND THIS OUT ON FRIDAY AFTER A FRIEND TOLD ME ABOUT COMMENTS THAT HAVE BEEN MADE ON THE INTERNET. I WOULD LIKE TO SET THE RECORD STRAIGHT THAT JONATHAN RUFF OR HENRIETTA RUFF SOLD THE MENTIONED COMPANIES ON THE 1ST FEB 2010 AND SINCE THIS DATE HAVE HAD NO PART IN THE COMPANY OR HOLD ANY SHAREHOLDING. WE HOPE YOU ARE ABLE TO GET YOUR PRODUCTS OR MONEY BACK BUT THE BEST THING TO DO IS TO SPEAK WITH THE LIQUIDATOR
KIND REGARDS
JONATHAN RUFF”
Anyone want to play “spot the holes”?
I’ve ordered for a value of around 600€. If paypal do not get any money back; how do I?
How to get in contact with the liquidator?
Thanks
Michael from Germany
@Thomas H
“since a few month the Dealastic ist not any more a part of the Vitabits group and has nothing to do with zoombits”
I wonder how Dealtastic got hold of MemoryBits’ customer database to spam them, then?
“I wonder how Dealtastic got hold of MemoryBits’ customer database to spam them, then?”
If you look hard enough you will see its all linked in together.
Start with Jersey Companies House & then WhoIs all the domains & pay attention to the addresses.
It is an all out con & fraud.
It is not “all linked in together” and neither is Dealtastic “an all out con & fraud” if that is indeed the (rather serious) accusation you are making. I have watched Jonathan start, build and sell a number of successful businesses. Memorybits/Zoombits/Corebits was sold in February as a profitable, going concern without any trading issues. Jonathan has not been involved in these business since. That Companies House in Jersey and/or WhoIs do not have up-to-date records doesn’t change this.
“It is not “all linked in together” and neither is Dealtastic “an all out con & fraud” if that is indeed the (rather serious) accusation you are making. I have watched Jonathan start, build and sell a number of successful businesses. Memorybits/Zoombits/Corebits was sold in February as a profitable, going concern without any trading issues. Jonathan has not been involved in these business since. That Companies House in Jersey and/or WhoIs do not have up-to-date records doesn’t change this.”
You want to learn how to read.
Companies House & WhoIs may not have up-to-date records but fortunately they do hold records.
ACHTUNG – Aktuelle Zoombits Situation – Was sollte man beachten » Was tun, Zoombits, Ware, Bitterwallet, Paypal, Produkte » myDealZ.de
“Companies House & WhoIs may not have up-to-date records but fortunately they do hold records.”
And indeed, when their records are updated – which can take up to a year – you will see that Jonathan has not been involved with Memorybits etc for the past 8 months.
Hey there, the address zoombits shows on their website seems to be a buildung which is available for rent now! The owner wrote me an emial, telling that the building is empty and available now. Check this out: http://www.jerseyweekly.com/property/84305 – that is exactly the address zoombits provided! Also they changed something in the whois-database (denic.de) on the 7th of October 2010. Strange thing…
I would like to hear a version of Jonathan Ruff, how the mail-advertisers of Dealtastic/Dealtastisch got hold of e-mail addresses, subscribed only recently to the Zoombits newsletter.
I would like to confirm Jonathan’s comments.
The businesses were sold at the beginning of 2010 to Brian Welsh. The buyout is a clear indication that at the time it was a successful and highly profitable organisation.
Unfortunately Brian’s business accumen was not as ‘World Class’ as he believed and he failed to drive the business forward.
All ties were effectively severed the day the buyout contract was signed and Jonathan has no affiliation whatsoever with the company.
Unfortunately relevant records have not yet been updated and I find it a shame that Jonathan and his wife’s name are being banded around on here.
Brian Welsh is the man at fault here and I have no doubt that a number of people have parted with their money only to be left in the lurch!
I would be very wary in the future if you see this website back online and check thoroughly to ensure that Brian Welsh is in no way involved with the company.
@buttler: yeah, I also receive the Dealtastic/Dealtastisch “newsletter”/SPAM and I was wondering where they got my mail address from… seems to be a good source to get some money to sell those mail adresses of recent zoombits customers… sad, sad stuff… (by the way, sorry for my bad English)
I understand know why I never received any answer from Zoombits following my received order and my mp4 broken !!
Thanks for this article
@Ronaldo1952: who are you? Jonathan Ruff best mate ?
everybody want to see the buyout contract!!!
Lot of unclear in this deal. Where’s the money gone?
Ronaldo forgot to say that ruff business was successful thanks to the r4 product recently banned in UK. As soon as it stopped, Memory bits and its thousand r4 websites got difficulties to make it. But my question, with all the money they earned, where’s the money gone? at probably 50% profit, where is the money gone?
to continue…
Some news for all ripped off memorybits clients like myself:
ZOOMBITS LIMITED In the matter ofNotice is hereby given by the Company
pursuant to article 160(1)(b) of
Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (as
amended), that a meeting of the creditors
of the Company will be held in the
Sovereign Suite, Best Western Royal
Hotel, David Place St Helier (Channel
Islands) Limited on 29 October 2010 at
11.30am at which time a statement as to
the affairs of the Company will be laid
before the creditors and the nomination
of Alan John Roberts and John Edward
Pirouet of Begbies Traynor (Channel
Islands) Limited, Charles House, Charles
Street, St Helier, Jersey JE2 4SF as joint
liquidators of the Company will be
proposed for the purpose of a creditors’
winding up of the Company.
Brian Welsh
Director
(date of publication: 11/10/2010)
Other Notices
BRIAN WELSH In the matter of
COREBITS SERVICES LIMITED
Notice is hereby given by the Company
pursuant to article 160(1)(b) of
Companies (Jersey) Law 1991 (as
amended), that a meeting of the
creditors of the Company will be held in
the Sovereign Suite, Best Western
Royal Hotel, David Place St Helier
(Channel Islands) Limited on 29
October 2010 at 10.00am at which time
a statement as to the affairs of the
Company will be laid before the
creditors and the nomination of Alan
John Roberts and John Edward Pirouet
of Begbies Traynor (Channel Islands)
Limited, Charles House, Charles Street,
St Helier, Jersey JE2 4SF as joint
liquidators of the Company will be
proposed for the purpose of a creditors’
winding up of the Company.Director
(date of publication: 11/10/2010)
Other Notices
Anybody care to specualte on the relationship between Jonathan Ruff and Brian Welsh?
Whichever way you look at it, it stinks.
Also, I have to say, Dealtastic have a positively retarded business model. I have a yahoo email adress I use for signing up to ecommerce sites, which is positively flooded by offers from dealtastic. 2 or 3 a day normally. Of course they go into the spam bin, but whoever thought that harassing people like that would create business should punch themselves in the nuts.
In administration, but what’s the story with Zoombits? | BitterWallet
@Harvey thomas:
Exactly my point.
- if I’m not wrong about it, Dealtastic is currently Jonatan Ruff related (correct me, if not) .
- Jonatan Ruff denies every connection to Zoombits since it has been sold to Brian Welsh 6 months ago
- Dealtastic sends its “newsletter” also to e-mail addresses, that were subscribed to Zoombits for less than 6 months (and never been subscribed to Dealtastic)
(The last Zoombits newsletter came on september 29th, and the first Dealtastic on oktober 2nd)
If what Jonathan Ruff wrote is true, there could not be e-mail addresses in his (company’s, Dealtastic’s) possession, that Zoombits collected in the last 6 months. (not even talking about giving away and using data without consent)
If however there is a connection, I don’t see why Dealtastic/Mr.Ruff should not be involved in the repayment/compensation of creditors/customers in the liquidation process.
I really would like to see a statement from Mr. Ruff on this matter, and I am ready to apologise if I got my facts wrong.
The first person who should apologise for getting his facts wrong is Johnathan Ruff
Zoombits and Memorybits now sold out of administration according to the websites and the new owners – the Rok Group – making positive noises about fulfilling/compensating orders from 28th September to 13th October and will “look at each case individually” prior to that. Fingers crossed.
“Zoombits and Memorybits now sold out of administration according to the websites and the new owners – the Rok Group – making positive noises about fulfilling/compensating orders from 28th September to 13th October and will “look at each case individually” prior to that. Fingers crossed.”
They haven’t got a choice about sorting those out after insolvency unless someone wants to face criminal charges on that fact alone.
Anyway, what do you think about the prior involvement of Ruff after the point at which comments on here would have you believe?
Memorybits.co.uk
Thanks for letting me know where the dealtastic spam is coming from. I am receiving gruesome spam in German from them for quite a while now.
here is an interesting reply I have received today from zoombits customer service!!
“Dear Customer,
October 2010. The previous owners are continuing in the process of going into liquidation, and have called a meeting of the creditors of the company in relation to this; to which further details will be posted on our website as they become available.
We have now begun the process of individually analysing each and every outstanding order within our records that we have inherited from the previous owners.
Unfortunately, at this time, we are unable to verify or fulfil your original order made before Rok Group’s new ownership of ZoomBits.co.uk. Although Rok Group has no legal obligation to fulfil this order, we certainly do not want to cause you any extra trouble – we are very aware that you have been caught up in the Company’s ‘change of ownership process’. In order for this situation to be resolved as quickly as possible, we note that Rok Group highly recommend that you begin the process of claiming back any monies that have left your account in relation to this order from your Credit / Debit Card provider.
ZoomBits.co.uk are now under brand new ownership by Rok Group Limited, as of 14
We fully acknowledge that on this particular occasion, this may have been a stressful shopping experience with ZoomBits.Co.Uk. We assure you that as the brand new owners of this already successful store, this is the beginning of a new process of striving to achieve excellent levels of Customer Service with all previous and future customers.
Although it will take up to a week from today for us to get the site fully operational, we would like to offer you a 25% OFF EVERYTHING promotional code to use at checkout when we are up and running once more. Your promo code: ROK25 is valid until 7 November 2010
We thank you for your time, patience and hope to see you shopping at Zoombits.co.uk in the future.
Kind Regards
The Rok Fulfilment Team
(Rok Group Limited)
Please has no association with the previous shareholders or Boar
order from your Credit / Debit Card provider.
Yours Sincerely,
helen
MemoryBits Customer Service Team
sales@memorybits.co.uk“
I just recieved that message too via live chat…..I ordered a mediaplayer back in August which was faulty. I returned it as per there instructions but then heard nothing…after amonth I started to email them getting only automated responses…I then got this message from live chat and was told that becuase they could not verify my order or return that I would not get a refund..
I think the company is a joke and would never buyfrom them or recommend them again.
stay away from them! and save your money. mymemory.co.uk far better
Jonathan, can you confirm the sale was an arms length deal, that is to say, do you have any association either business or perosnal with Brian Walsh (or is it Welsh?)
this new owners are a liers, they say in their homepage they will do “their best efford” to solve the problems of the customers but in their chat and email they say just the opposite, they claim not to have any relation with the previous owners and they wont send the items I bougth nor my money back in my account.
thieves!!!!
I too got this email after i spent £400 on their 60% xmas sale, the theiving gits went into administration after they scooped all the money fraudulently.
The Rok group will be friends of the previous directors and laughing at us, the only reason they sent out the initial email saying they would look at solving outstanding orders was so they could empty the bank accounts to prevent refunds.
They are all in this together, do not buy from there again!!!!!1
I don’t know why we shouldn’t give the new guys a chance on this one?? I have placed a small order with them yesterday, after I had a chat online, this new team seems to be ready to do business, we will see later next month if the ROK group can make it.
I received a mail from them this morning, my order has been dispatched and everything is in order…
I can imagine with the liquidation of the former owner that the new guys in charge of this company feels these days, the Zoombits name went down but I want these guys to prove themselves, why? Because of the prices you can find on this site….
The thing that must piss everyone off is that because of this one guy that tried to con everyone with a stupid 60% sale before his termination, all the company fell down, and all the staff in there got sacked in the day… no compensation, nothing, just bye bye and fuck off…
that particular greedy element should be suppressed but we must let a company like this one exists… that is why I placed an order and I’ll carry on if I’m satisfied…
“Posted by Parington | October 22nd, 2010 at 3:31 pm
I don’t know why we shouldn’t give the new guys a chance on this one??”
Because people are not silly.
Click on where it says “In administration, but what’s the story with Zoombits?” above October 15th 2:31pm
Questions need answering
I’ve not received a discount code for the money of my order . why some customers gets codes in their email accounts and other not? its a mystery…
Dodgy company
Dodgy people
AVOID AVOID AVOID
I would like to point out to ‘the truth’ that I am not Mr Ruff’s best friend, however I do know the full story regarding his association with Brian Welsh & the sale of the business.
Regarding Dealtastic, I don’t really undertsand the big deal….If you don’t want the emails, just unsubscribe! Also, people will never receive more than one each day….I know I don’t.
Anyway, as bad as I feel for those that have been stung by Brian’s 60% stunt I would say that you need to be patient and also understand the liquidation process.
I have read that the hearing is today whereby all assets… Cash, Property, Stock…etc will be frozen and then divided up by the receivers in order to pay off any debts. These debts are ranked in importance and although customers will be low priority as it’s likely that they owe suppliers etc a considerable amount of money, the fact is the customer won’t be overlooked.
Any money made via the 60% promo will be frozen and all the company accounts will be heavily scrutinsed to spot any inconsistencies of which I’m sure there will be many.
In view of this, I think it’s a good gesture of the new owners to aim to fulfil outstanding orders. As mentioned, they are under no obligation to do so. I would urge people to judge them from the point of their takeover.
pretty wife on facebook : http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=610730704
Just like to say that i have used this site or quite some time, fortunately i did not take part in the 60% off sale. I have used the site twice since the takeover and have had my orders fulfilled. I have also used the 25% code ROK25
I got caught up in the 60% off nonsense but i paid using PayPal and got all my money back quickly, hence why i use PayPal