VoIP distributor blames vendor

VoIPStore’s managing director Graham Jacklin has blamed one of its manufacturer’s products and returns policies for the company’s administration woes.

In a statement to the firm’s creditors Jacklin defended VoIPStore’s channel set-up, but credited a troubled new product release from one of its vendors for the firm entering administration.

“[My] company’s attempt to develop into VoIP [voice over IP] was largely successful. However, early in 2005, success in selling a new product into this market failed when the product was not considered fit for purpose by many of its buyers,” said Jacklin.

Jacklin added the manufacturer failed to rectify the problem quick enough and “made no allowance for returns” of the underperforming product. This resulted in VoIPStore sliding into debt and administration, he claimed. VoIPStore declined to confirm who the manufacturer is.

Scott Dobson, managing director at rival VoIP distributor VCOMM, suggested the vendor in question could be AYC Telecoms, as he claimed when their product came to market it had problems.

However, Paul Howard, chief executive of AYC Telecoms denied the claim: “I can 100 per cent guarantee that we are not the manufacturer

in question. VoIPStore took 25 units of our kit, sold only 10 and did not push the business. We asked for the rest to be returned and they got their money back.”

trevor_treharne@vnu.co.uk