France’s Mister Menuiserie shops face financial issues: clients left in limbo

The French door, window and joinery chain Mister Menuiserie has gone into administration and cannot fulfil orders or reimburse customers.

The company, which has 150 shops around France, was placed under administration by a court on November 12. It is reported to be looking for a buyer.

Many customers who have placed orders with it now face uncertainty and potentially significant losses.

It is not known how many customers are affected nationally, however, at the chain’s shops in Balma and Portet, Haute-Garonne, 40 customers await news of their orders with an average value of €10,000.

One told French media she had no news of a €4,000 order that she placed in July.

“I went to the shop. It's closed. I flashed the QR code on the door. It takes me to a telephone number that doesn't answer. I’ve sent an email to try to get my money back,” she told news website La Dépêche.

“I know it has been manufactured, but it can’t be delivered as the delivery service doesn’t want to take the risk of not being paid,” she said.

Mister Menuiserie’s financial difficulties

Mister Menuiserie’s financial difficulties are due to the collapse of a deal with one of its major partners, the company’s spokesperson is quoted as saying to La Dépêche .

“They let us down. We are not hiding from this. We are fighting to get our customers refunds or to deliver their orders. 

“We are looking for a buyer and there are already three offers. But we do not know if the buyer will assume the company’s debts,” they added.

The firm announced a major strategic partnership with hypermarket chain Les Mousquetaires in October - a deal with an uncertain future due to Mister Menuiserie’s financial difficulties.