Made.com has been in discussions with a number of interested parties since the beginning of October. But it has now suspended its website and stopped taking new customer orders.

The retailer said none of its potential buyers were able to meet the timetable, adding it was “no longer in receipt of funding proposals or possible offers for the issued and to be issued share capital of the company”.

The website’s users now see a message saying: “Sit tight, we’ll be back soon. We’re making some important updates to improve your shopping experience.”

A document entitled Update on Formal Sale Process (“FSP”) and Strategic Review published on Made’s corporate website yesterday said: “In light of the fact that MDL is reliant on MADE for any further funding requirements and in order to preserve value for its creditors, the board of MDL has taken the decision to temporarily suspend new customer orders.

“This decision remains under review and a further announcement will be made as appropriate. The board of MADE will continue to look to preserve value for its creditors and shareholders in light of this.”

Laith Khalaf, head of investment analysis at AJ Bell, said: “The pressures on consumer-facing stocks are brought into sharp relief by the collapse of a rescue deal for online sofa seller Made.com, which has left the company teetering on the brink.”

I’m a Made.com customer. What are my rights?

It remains unclear as to whether recent customer orders will be fulfilled.

Customers who don’t receive goods they’ve paid for will become creditors of Made.com when it officially falls into administration.

Creditors would be unlikely to get all their money back.

However, those who paid by credit card will be covered by Section 75 of the Consumer Credit Act.

This means that if you pay for something costing £100 or more on your credit card and the goods don’t arrive, your card provider is jointly responsible with the retailer regarding refunding you. To make a claim, contact your credit card provider.

If you paid for an item with Made.com with a debit card, you’ll be covered by chargeback rules. Chargeback can be used to reclaim cash for goods and services that have been paid for by debit card but don’t arrive.