This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-41124162

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bridgend-based Buy As You View firm in administration Bridgend-based Buy As You View firm in administration
(about 2 hours later)
A "rent to own" TV and domestic appliance firm has gone into administration and made 41 job losses. A rent to own TV and domestic appliance firm has gone into administration with the loss of 41 jobs.
Another 226 jobs are at risk at Bridgend-based Buy As You View (BAYV), which has 40,000 customers across the UK.Another 226 jobs are at risk at Bridgend-based Buy As You View (BAYV), which has 40,000 customers across the UK.
Administrators EY said the company had "continued to incur significant losses" despite major restructuring.Administrators EY said the company had "continued to incur significant losses" despite major restructuring.
The business started in Pontypridd in 1972 and was at one time a major sponsor of the town's rugby club.The business started in Pontypridd in 1972 and was at one time a major sponsor of the town's rugby club.
The company started offering "rent to own" TVs but has branched out into deals for other electrical and domestic appliances as well as furniture. Of the 41 redundancies, 19 were in south Wales.
The company started offering rent to own TVs but has branched out into deals for other electrical and domestic appliances as well as furniture.
Back in 2010, the company claimed to have 100,000 customers and 700 staff.Back in 2010, the company claimed to have 100,000 customers and 700 staff.
The company offers online hire purchase, which can involve a smart meter being connected to the household TV as security, restricting viewing if people do not keep up with their payments.The company offers online hire purchase, which can involve a smart meter being connected to the household TV as security, restricting viewing if people do not keep up with their payments.
Joe O'Connor, joint administrator, said: "Over the last year, BAYV, has sought to respond to a period of significant market and regulatory change in the sector and has undertaken a substantial restructuring of its business model and operations.Joe O'Connor, joint administrator, said: "Over the last year, BAYV, has sought to respond to a period of significant market and regulatory change in the sector and has undertaken a substantial restructuring of its business model and operations.
"This included moving to an online sales model and focusing on core parts of the UK where the Buy As You View brand is best known and has a loyal customer base."This included moving to an online sales model and focusing on core parts of the UK where the Buy As You View brand is best known and has a loyal customer base.
"However, despite attempts to adjust its cost base to a more sustainable basis, the business has continued to incur significant losses.""However, despite attempts to adjust its cost base to a more sustainable basis, the business has continued to incur significant losses."
'Business as usual'
He said the directors had now reluctantly placed Dunraven Finance - which trades as BAYV - into administration to enable further restructuring to be undertaken.He said the directors had now reluctantly placed Dunraven Finance - which trades as BAYV - into administration to enable further restructuring to be undertaken.
"As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to make 41 people redundant and are now working with the company's remaining 226 employees to continue to manage the business," said Mr O'Connor."As a result, we have taken the difficult decision to make 41 people redundant and are now working with the company's remaining 226 employees to continue to manage the business," said Mr O'Connor.
The administrator said he wanted to reassure customers who have bought products through Buy As You View that it was "business as usual" and they should continue to make payments in the usual way.The administrator said he wanted to reassure customers who have bought products through Buy As You View that it was "business as usual" and they should continue to make payments in the usual way.
Analysis by Brian Meechan, BBC Wales business correspondentAnalysis by Brian Meechan, BBC Wales business correspondent
Buy As You View allows people to buy products ranging from TVs and game consoles to furniture on a weekly basis until the end of the repayment term, when they then own the product.Buy As You View allows people to buy products ranging from TVs and game consoles to furniture on a weekly basis until the end of the repayment term, when they then own the product.
Interest rates are very high - 68.9% is the APR advertised on the company's website. But credit is offered to people who may struggle to get credit elsewhere or have no credit rating at all.Interest rates are very high - 68.9% is the APR advertised on the company's website. But credit is offered to people who may struggle to get credit elsewhere or have no credit rating at all.
Regulations have changed though and are much stronger in this area, with the regulator having much more control.Regulations have changed though and are much stronger in this area, with the regulator having much more control.
BAYV was ordered by the Financial Conduct Authority last year to pay a total of almost £1m compensation to 59,000 customers. Amongst concerns were the use of payment meters to restrict a customer access to their TV if payments were not received on time.BAYV was ordered by the Financial Conduct Authority last year to pay a total of almost £1m compensation to 59,000 customers. Amongst concerns were the use of payment meters to restrict a customer access to their TV if payments were not received on time.
The company has been looking to restructure ever since and administrators will now be looking for a way through to help those 226 remaining workers, whose jobs are at risk.The company has been looking to restructure ever since and administrators will now be looking for a way through to help those 226 remaining workers, whose jobs are at risk.