By Matthew Hutching
Seven Dick Smith stores around New Zealand will be the first to close permanently on April 9, after the company went into receivership at the beginning of 2016.
The stores in Orewa, Glenfield, Thames, Masterton, Levin, Alexandra and Invercargill will shut their doors for the last time in just over a week.
Receivers at Ferrier Hodgson say 35 of the troubled retailer's shops in Australia are set to close by April 16, with all physical stores, including New Zealand's 62 outlets, to be closed by May.
Affected staff will be moved to nearby stores where possible, or they will receive redundancy notices, Ferrier Hodgson said in a statement.
Employees will only be given termination notices once the exact date of their store closure is known, the receivers say.
New Zealand staff members will be paid in full up to a maximum of $22,160 upon termination.
Consumer New Zealand says Dick Smith customers can do the following:
If you don't have the item, register with the receiver as an unsecured creditor.
If you used a credit card to buy the item raise a query with the credit card's issuer, you may be eligible for a 'charge back', but would need to act quickly in contacting your bank.
Complete the remaining payment and collect the item. If you do not receive the item, register with the receiver or contact your bank if you paid by credit card.
Consumer New Zealand has received no complaints in regard to layby.
If the item was imported or distributed by a New Zealand company, the warranty should still be covered by them under the Consumer Guarantees Act.
If the item was imported or distributed by an international company you will not be covered as overseas companies do not have to adhere to New Zealand legislation. If this is the case, lodge a complaint now.
**Unsecured creditors will only be refunded after secured creditors and redundancy pay-outs**
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