Wrapit collapse victims in protest

Updated 08.08 Wed Aug 06 2008

Keywords: gifts, guests, money, debit, credit, KPMG, administrators, HSBC, Wrapit, morning suit, suit, groom, bride, dress, white, church, Wedding

Couples angry at the collapse of a wedding list firm are to protest outside the company's bank.

Around 100,000 people have been affected and a petition is being handed in to HSBC which holds the company's credit and debit income.

"What's supposed to be the most happy occasion of your life has been ruined" - Amy Hinchliffe

In an email to customers, Wrapit managing director Peter Gelardi said it would cost HSBC around £4 million to refund the 80 per cent of presents which had been bought with a credit or Visa debit card - although those who bought with cheques, Switch or Maestro cards will lose out.

Mr Gelardi claimed that the cost of getting all the gifts to couples was £1 million less than the refund charge but that HSBC had refused to co-operate.

"HSBC now have it within their power to minimise the pain caused to 2,000 couples (and, probably, 100,000 of their guests) and ensure that no Wrapit customer loses any money - and, as things stand, they will not take it.

"The only thing that will get them to change their minds is public pressure," he added.

Amy Hinchliffe, 27, set up a Facebook group complaining about Wrapit after repeated delays in getting her wedding gifts.

She married in September 2007 but only received the last of the presents in June this year.

The management consultant said: "Wrapit made me so angry and I can't believe the mess they have now left so many couples in. What's supposed to be the most happy occasion of your life has been ruined.

"I now can't look at any of my wedding presents without thinking 'I hate Wrapit'. That's not the way it's supposed to be.

"If we hadn't complained as much as we did, I feel positive we would be caught up in this mess now. There are so many people who entered the process at the same time as us and now have nothing to show for it."