Computers for All, the independent distributor of hardware and software, has ceased trading leaving users and dealers high and dry.

The company acted as bulk buyer and supplier to over 50 dealers around the country who were able to use the Computers for All name and benefitted from its promotional work. But it was suffering a severe cash flow crisis that has left users, dealers and manufacturers owed large sums of money.

Hardest hit will be users who have returned faulty machines to the company. Not only are they unlikely to get the machines repaired but also there are doubts whether they will have their machines returned.

Some dealers are responding by offering to replace faulty machines that have been sent back to Computers for All. But it could depend on their ability to stand the financial loss.

One dealer, The Compushop in Newcastle, said that it is owed £1,600 for goods paid for but not received, and probably twice that amount if the cost of returned machines is taken into account.

The suppliers are owed the largest sums of money. Prism, which supplied the company with Spectrums, is owed a 'substantial amount', believed to be well into five figures and possibly more. Acorn is owed over £100,000 for BBC Bs and Electrons that have been delivered but not paid for.

A creditors meeting has been called for February 17 to consider the appointment of a liquidator.

PCN was unable to contact Computers for All's directors Jeff Weinrich and Steve Vickers.