Foxhills Defender Centre, Surrey

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Yeah I remember scouting for quotes for shipping a defender to the states. The only port city I could get to do it was down in Southhampton and the cost was about a grand for one vehicle in a container on the slow-boat west...
 
RobNelly, I just texted you and emailed you on how you can get the proper paperwork.
You'll need to fill out the form below and email it to [email protected].
https://assets.publishing.service.g...s/attachment_data/file/414961/V756_260215.pdf

in your email include:
·Your Full Name, First line of your address & your postcode.
·Vehicle Registration Number of the vehicle(s) in your inquiry

As for your money. Charles is only 20 min from the airport. You can get on a flight for less than $400 and visit him :) I've already tried twice but both times he seemed to be away the third time is a charm - looking forward to my next UK visit :)
Defender parts in the US are expensive. Make a list for everything that you need and order them from https://www.paddockspares.com/
I'm happy to connect you with my mechanic (sometimes it's cheaper to fly someone from Boston, have them do all the work in few days and pay them half what you were about to pay)
 
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Here at the landy centre we can not ap
BostonUKDefender said:
It looks great in the photos cause I've spent over 5K on it! you didn't ship to me like this! Attached are some pics of how it looked before
Was the orange cab shipped like my paperwork were shipped? What happened to you paying for the repairs? What happened to you paying for the paint?
I hope you'll continue to call me a friend after my next visit :) For anyone who's reading this, stay away from this Foxhill/Smiles/Landy Centre can't keep up with all the name that he's had in the last 3 years. You want a decent defender, go to Walton Motors.
Click to expand...

Your car was not sent to you as you showed in pics your not telling the truth I sent you your car with the roof and arches painted black with sawtooth alloys as agreed the car you purchased was 25 years old with 185k miles on it not a new car and land rovers come with small Costmetic issues but it was your first Land Rover so I’m sure you will learn you should of forked out 35k for a fully restored one if you wanted a new car
 
robnelly said:
Hey Guys,

I'm new here. But I just finished shipping 4 vehicles with Charlie Smailes with Landy Centre. He is currently going by the company name of Landy Centre but as you can see from the previous posts it has changed throughout the years. His website is here: https://www.landy-centre.co.uk/results.php . I read all the previous posts and yes I'm an idiot and should not have purchased these sight unseen. To say that working with Charlie was hell is an understatement. I will try not to be too long with this post because I think we all know how it ends.

He took 4 months to ship them, lying the whole time about why he was taking so long. He finally came clean and told me that he spent all the money that I had given him for the 3 Defenders and didn't have the money to actually ship them. So I went through the shipping company directly and paid for the shipping, again. At this point Charlie owed me for the money that I just spent on the shipping and I knew that I would never see it again so I decided to have him discount it from another one of his vehicles. Big mistake. After missing two shipping dates and lying the whole time about them being ready to ship 3 weeks later they had finally shipped. The 4 Defenders showed up a mess. Only 1 out of the 4 would even start. I purchased the Orange 110 truck that BostonUKDefender was talking about. Also I am the same that Charlie says is a "Happy US Customer" in his post above. Trust me, I am not a happy customer. I am currently $6,000 into that one. It showed up with no battery. The starter was completely seized, no brakes, entire braking system had to be ripped out and replaced, all major components were toast (water pump, master cylinder), swivel ball seal gone, front end needed replacing and on top of that, all the electrical wiring was a complete disaster. Nothing worked. I have brought the 2nd one to my mechanic and same story. It is going to be $4,000 for that one. The White 110 that he sent looked completely different from the original pictures. Everything was replaced with crappier parts. It had no carpet and was missing a rear seat.

So why am I posting this? I just want to make sure that no one ends up down this road with Charlie. I hope the best for Charlie and that he changes his ways.
Click to expand...

Rob I have tried to help you as much as I could but your asking for way to much to be refunded for a few trims and some carpet dude you was sent a whole bunch of pics before you purchased the cars you was happy with them I sent your cars they where sold as seen with no WARRENTY and I’ve still tried to help towards the minor repairs as for your papers don’t waste your time filling out those forms because it’s on its way in future don’t by 25 year old cars and expect them to be brand new
 
BostonUKDefender said:
RobNelly, I just texted you and emailed you on how you can get the proper paperwork.
You'll need to fill out the form below and email it to [email protected].
https://assets.publishing.service.g...s/attachment_data/file/414961/V756_260215.pdf

in your email include:
·Your Full Name, First line of your address & your postcode.
·Vehicle Registration Number of the vehicle(s) in your inquiry

As for your money. Charles is only 20 min from the airport. You can get on a flight for less than $400 and visit him :) I've already tried twice but both times he seemed to be away the third time is a charm - looking forward to my next UK visit :)
Defender parts in the US are expensive. Make a list for everything that you need and order them from https://www.paddockspares.com/
I'm happy to connect you with my mechanic (sometimes it's cheaper to fly someone from Boston, have them do all the work in few days and pay them half what you were about to pay)
Click to expand...

Jean Paul your crying over £500 that’s what you asked me for I said I’d give it to you then you said don’t worry your getting a lawyer so what was I suppose to do
 
Landycentre said:
Rob I have tried to help you as much as I could but your asking for way to much to be refunded for a few trims and some carpet dude you was sent a whole bunch of pics before you purchased the cars you was happy with them I sent your cars they where sold as seen with no WARRENTY and I’ve still tried to help towards the minor repairs as for your papers don’t waste your time filling out those forms because it’s on its way in future don’t by 25 year old cars and expect them to be brand new
Click to expand...

Charlie just stop. A few trim pieces????? Please refer to the following list of items.

Vehicle #1 - White 110 - The following problems:
  • Came with absolutely zero carpet. All pictures shown to me had carpet in it.
  • Missing a back bench seat. All seats in the vehicle had been switched to crappy seats with tears and cracks.
  • Missing trim pieces and nothing was in order.
  • Like all of them the electrical was a mess. Blinkers don't work. Brake lights don't work.
  • He switched out the hood for one that had a tire holder.
  • Told me he was going to install a roof rack. No roof rack. Told me he was going to mount a spare tire. No spare tire.
  • Rusty throughout after being told it was clean
Vehicle #2 - Orange 110 Truck - It shows up with the following issues:
  • Headliner falling off
  • Completely missing a battery. No battery whatsoever.
  • Tail lights and blinkers completely disconnected. Electrical wiring a disaster.
  • Starter was completely seized
  • Entire brake system needed to be ripped out. Lines totally rusted through. The brakes went straight to the floor when I first got in it. All rotors were completely rusted and not a single pad had any life left.
  • In the text you stated "We have just fully serviced it new filters oil and cambelt". The mechanic had to change the oil and he said that he has never smelled anything so foul in his life. It has been years since the oil was changed. Also cambelt has never been changed in its life. Was holding on by threads.
  • Master cylinder was destroyed. Water pump was barely recognizable because of all the rust on it.
  • Every fluid in that thing was like tar.
  • Bolts were completely missing on the bell house and drive shaft.
  • Front end suspension was completely rusted out. Where the coil spring rests it was pulverized to dust. Coil spring was broken and both were rusted out. Needed a completely new front end.
  • Swivel ball seal was toast
  • Control arm bushings were gone.
I hope you understand my surprise when I received this vehicle after you said things like "This thing was completely refurbished and like new" and "All clocks work, lights, speedo ect., truck is perfect"

Vehicle #3 - Black/Grey 90
  • Doesn't start, it is at the mechanic right now and has found the following so far:
  • Power steering not working
  • Suspension rusted out like the orange one
  • All fluids bad
  • Frame needs rust repair
  • None of the lighting, rear and front work including the headlights.
Vehicle #4 - Black 90
  • Haven't taken it into the shop yet but expecting the same.
So Charlie don't try to tell me that I am complaining about small items. We are talking thousands of dollars here. I wouldn't be mad if you would have said these needed work and I would have paid less for them but you said on every single one that they were rust free, perfect shape, full refurb, blah blah blah. Sorry to everyone for spilling the dirty laundry in this forum.

Oh yea Charlie. Remember when you promised to pay for the difference in shipping to CA because you missed the shipping date about 7 times in a row. Still waiting for that......
 
Hippo said:
Do yer have the original sale pic's and some of the condition yer received it in?
Click to expand...
Well if the Land Rovers were anything like his English, they’re likely absolutely ****ed.

In all seriousness though. I am one for giving the benefit of the doubt but multiple complaints, a few Land Rover dealers in the same area that happen to have minimal online presence as if they had gone bust or stopped trading and then been replaced with the same thing under another name, the fact that this page exists... https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&source=web&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiclL_Pj4DiAhUJ6OAKHRIgBuQQzPwBegQIARAC&url=https://news.surreycc.gov.uk/2017/02/23/surrey-trader-who-laundered-cash-in-driveway-repair-scam-must-pay-back-15000-to-victims/&psig=AOvVaw1YHSzHyoexFY275ow-Q4vN&ust=1556999058180950

And the 3 businesses set up in the name Charlie Smailes and what is shown as 3 closed businesses on directorchecks
B50F4DEB-0263-4EFB-8250-97604FEC602D.png


I’d say to our Yank friends, collect all images and correspondces regarding the land rovers both prior to and post sale, stop talking to him on here go full on with the lawyers and let them deal with it. Also contact British trading standards and the like.


Edit:

Also smileslandrovers LTD, again, dissolved and had a Mr Charlie Smailes as the director. So many Land Rover dealerships all in the Ottershaw region that happen to pop in and out of trading.

Couldn’t decide on a name or something?

Edits edit:

Currently showing 1 active directorship with an asset value of £0?
 
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Landycentre said:
Rob I have tried to help you as much as I could but your asking for way to much to be refunded for a few trims and some carpet dude you was sent a whole bunch of pics before you purchased the cars you was happy with them I sent your cars they where sold as seen with no WARRENTY and I’ve still tried to help towards the minor repairs as for your papers don’t waste your time filling out those forms because it’s on its way in future don’t by 25 year old cars and expect them to be brand new
Click to expand...

Def fill out the form! especially since he hasn't paid MOT on most of the cars that you purchased!
 
Landycentre said:
Jean Paul your crying over £500 that’s what you asked me for I said I’d give it to you then you said don’t worry your getting a lawyer so what was I suppose to do
Click to expand...

Let us assume it was £500 - I never said not to worry about it and you still haven't paid it. Go ahead and send the money!
 
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Landycentre said:
Here at the landy centre we can not ap


Your car was not sent to you as you showed in pics your not telling the truth I sent you your car with the roof and arches painted black with sawtooth alloys as agreed the car you purchased was 25 years old with 185k miles on it not a new car and land rovers come with small Costmetic issues but it was your first Land Rover so I’m sure you will learn you should of forked out 35k for a fully restored one if you wanted a new car
Click to expand...

you didn't paint anything black! here is a video to prove it:
I painted it in the US @PETER's Auto Body
 
Landycentre said:
Rob I have tried to help you as much as I could but your asking for way to much to be refunded for a few trims and some carpet dude you was sent a whole bunch of pics before you purchased the cars you was happy with them I sent your cars they where sold as seen with no WARRENTY and I’ve still tried to help towards the minor repairs as for your papers don’t waste your time filling out those forms because it’s on its way in future don’t by 25 year old cars and expect them to be brand new
Click to expand...

Still waiting on the paperwork for the vehicles Charlie..... Can't get them registered till I do. I will continue to keep the forum posted on if I receive them.
 
Landycentre said:
Rob I have tried to help you as much as I could but your asking for way to much to be refunded for a few trims and some carpet dude you was sent a whole bunch of pics before you purchased the cars you was happy with them I sent your cars they where sold as seen with no WARRENTY and I’ve still tried to help towards the minor repairs as for your papers don’t waste your time filling out those forms because it’s on its way in future don’t by 25 year old cars and expect them to be brand new
Click to expand...

I am coming up on 5 months since I bought these vehicles from Charles Smailes and he still has not sent me my paperwork for the vehicles. No V5C (registration) or the Invoice. Again I can't register these vehicles without the paperwork. Charlie do you have any excuse?
 
Landycentre said:
Rob I have tried to help you as much as I could but your asking for way to much to be refunded for a few trims and some carpet dude you was sent a whole bunch of pics before you purchased the cars you was happy with them I sent your cars they where sold as seen with no WARRENTY and I’ve still tried to help towards the minor repairs as for your papers don’t waste your time filling out those forms because it’s on its way in future don’t by 25 year old cars and expect them to be brand new
Click to expand...
Close to 6 months now and Charles still hasn't sent me any paperwork.
 
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