Trading Standards... a lot of people see them as slow and a waste of time but I have reported companies to them in the past. One was investigated and I was included in the investigation with the g*t receiving a fine for unfair business practices.

Report them to Trading Standards. Be clear and factually correct in what happened. The report will be logged into their database which their officers can search. They monitor incoming new reports to keep a feel of what's going on.

A single bad report isn't enough to investigate. They need multiple reports which indicate business practice which is poor. If this happens and they start an investigation they will approach the company and look at it. They have powers to do this sort of thing. One part of this will involve taking a sample of customers from the company records and contacting them. They will ask if the service/product offered was good or bad. You have the option to report good or bad when replying. Based on the results of this they will further their investigation if there is an option to do so. It is reliant on customers reporting them in the first place as well as providing feedback when requested.

I was lucky to be picked so I advised I was unhappy and they came back with a request for a written statement. They helped me with this and I signed the statement and agreed I would go to the hearing if necessary. My statement and others were submitted as evidence. Hence the need to go to the hearing may be required. I didn't go as the defendant eventually admitted he had done wrong, after trying his best to get away with it.

The process is slow but they have to build up an evidence based case and allow time for people to respond. They also have to follow rules to protect what they do or they could be sued. The process has to be seen to be precise, open and fair.

It is always worth reporting companies like this as you never know what may happen in the future. It is likely others have also reported them. The more reports Trading Standards have, the more likely of an investigation and subsequent punishment if they're found guilty of the o'fence. If it goes to court you have the option to put down a value for compensation.
 
Hippo said:
This company sounds well dodgy so I had a look round the web yesterday morning. It would seem their scam is well advertised by people who have lost out on vehicles as well as cash. Goo gle earth shows the compound to be empty but Street View shows it full of cars and vans. Street View was updated in August 2018 and I'm told this is reflective of what the site looks like now. Other traders in the area stay clear of them.

I know an independent motor trader so asked what he could find out. He came back with the following. I'm too far away to go there myself and don't want to get caught up in anything. The info passed back was worrying but the source is reliable. I can't put all of it online.

They moved from 5 to 16 sunbeam street not that long ago. They're known in the trade for ripping people off. Same scam that has happened to the OP. They prefer to do business with peeps far away and collect the car form them. They have several recovery trucks. They charge for the work but it rarely gets done. Often adding to the price anorl. Most don't get their vehicle back. They're not after the vehicle itself. It's the engine they want. It's said to be run by Romanians (with possible Indian connection) and they will defend the site if you go near it. The engines are shipped out weekly by container truck. I assume the gearbox goes with it. Other traders in the motor industry won't trade with them as they know of what they do and don't want to be involved with criminality. A dad and three sons run it. The vehicle knowledge they have is isn't enough to carry out the repair work they advertise. This is part of why they're known in the trade. They're known for dealing in large engines from LR, Mercedes and Ford vans. They sometimes offer Bentley work.

At first glance you would think the site is a small scrap yard but I'm assured most if not all vehicles on site will have had their engine removed. They're parked up for show by the sound of it. Some have bits missing. Think of items typically sold on to repair crash damage like lights and bumpers. There's about 15x LR products on site. Also a similar number of vans. In total about 70 vehicles. The chance of you finding your vehicle is very low. It will be removed from site long before you realise you have been scammed. Of those who do receive their vehicle back… some see it suddenly disappear at a later date as if someone walked up with their own key. Anyone who has had their vehicle back should have a reputable dealer look at the key list logged to the vehicle computer and delete any keys not in the owners possession.

As you would expect this company should be avoided. Approaching them to search the site or complain won't work. They operate with intimidation if they want to off site. Hidden cameras are a waste of time and any advice telling you to try is pointless. They operate a professional scam and know their way round annoyed customers. It sounds like you will be searched before being removed from site. Further loss of property will occur if they choose. They're not stupid. Looking at the location there's only one route in/out which will see you cornered. That’s as far as I can go online.

Advice from the trade:
Contact the police again to make sure your initial report is still logged and active.
Contact your insurance and be as helpful as possible to them.
Expect a heavy loss as it's unlikely your insurance will pay out.
Click to expand...

That's unbelievable, well done on the research Hippo! I can almost guarantee they are known to the police, but I bet they don't want to bloody well know, they are useless sods when it comes to confronting a-holes with violent reputations!
 
Last edited:
Hippo said:
This company sounds well dodgy so I had a look round the web yesterday morning. It would seem their scam is well advertised by people who have lost out on vehicles as well as cash. Goo gle earth shows the compound to be empty but Street View shows it full of cars and vans. Street View was updated in August 2018 and I'm told this is reflective of what the site looks like now. Other traders in the area stay clear of them.

I know an independent motor trader so asked what he could find out. He came back with the following. I'm too far away to go there myself and don't want to get caught up in anything. The info passed back was worrying but the source is reliable. I can't put all of it online.

They moved from 5 to 16 sunbeam street not that long ago. They're known in the trade for ripping people off. Same scam that has happened to the OP. They prefer to do business with peeps far away and collect the car form them. They have several recovery trucks. They charge for the work but it rarely gets done. Often adding to the price anorl. Most don't get their vehicle back. They're not after the vehicle itself. It's the engine they want. It's said to be run by Romanians (with possible Indian connection) and they will defend the site if you go near it. The engines are shipped out weekly by container truck. I assume the gearbox goes with it. Other traders in the motor industry won't trade with them as they know of what they do and don't want to be involved with criminality. A dad and three sons run it. The vehicle knowledge they have is isn't enough to carry out the repair work they advertise. This is part of why they're known in the trade. They're known for dealing in large engines from LR, Mercedes and Ford vans. They sometimes offer Bentley work.

At first glance you would think the site is a small scrap yard but I'm assured most if not all vehicles on site will have had their engine removed. They're parked up for show by the sound of it. Some have bits missing. Think of items typically sold on to repair crash damage like lights and bumpers. There's about 15x LR products on site. Also a similar number of vans. In total about 70 vehicles. The chance of you finding your vehicle is very low. It will be removed from site long before you realise you have been scammed. Of those who do receive their vehicle back… some see it suddenly disappear at a later date as if someone walked up with their own key. Anyone who has had their vehicle back should have a reputable dealer look at the key list logged to the vehicle computer and delete any keys not in the owners possession.

As you would expect this company should be avoided. Approaching them to search the site or complain won't work. They operate with intimidation if they want to off site. Hidden cameras are a waste of time and any advice telling you to try is pointless. They operate a professional scam and know their way round annoyed customers. It sounds like you will be searched before being removed from site. Further loss of property will occur if they choose. They're not stupid. Looking at the location there's only one route in/out which will see you cornered. That’s as far as I can go online.

Advice from the trade:
Contact the police again to make sure your initial report is still logged and active.
Contact your insurance and be as helpful as possible to them.
Expect a heavy loss as it's unlikely your insurance will pay out.
Click to expand...

hi
h_macinnes@hotmail.co.uk
can you tell me more..thanks
 
Hippo said:
Trading Standards... a lot of people see them as slow and a waste of time but I have reported companies to them in the past. One was investigated and I was included in the investigation with the g*t receiving a fine for unfair business practices.

Report them to Trading Standards. Be clear and factually correct in what happened. The report will be logged into their database which their officers can search. They monitor incoming new reports to keep a feel of what's going on.

A single bad report isn't enough to investigate. They need multiple reports which indicate business practice which is poor. If this happens and they start an investigation they will approach the company and look at it. They have powers to do this sort of thing. One part of this will involve taking a sample of customers from the company records and contacting them. They will ask if the service/product offered was good or bad. You have the option to report good or bad when replying. Based on the results of this they will further their investigation if there is an option to do so. It is reliant on customers reporting them in the first place as well as providing feedback when requested.

I was lucky to be picked so I advised I was unhappy and they came back with a request for a written statement. They helped me with this and I signed the statement and agreed I would go to the hearing if necessary. My statement and others were submitted as evidence. Hence the need to go to the hearing may be required. I didn't go as the defendant eventually admitted he had done wrong, after trying his best to get away with it.

The process is slow but they have to build up an evidence based case and allow time for people to respond. They also have to follow rules to protect what they do or they could be sued. The process has to be seen to be precise, open and fair.

It is always worth reporting companies like this as you never know what may happen in the future. It is likely others have also reported them. The more reports Trading Standards have, the more likely of an investigation and subsequent punishment if they're found guilty of the o'fence. If it goes to court you have the option to put down a value for compensation.
Click to expand...

Wot he said, also raise a claim via civil courts do online, its cheap to start process, often this is enough as the cost for them is huge to defend so most bite the bullet and pay up.
 
Assuming these crooks get prosecuted cant the OP seek restitution under the Proceeds of Crime Act ?
 
Moron said:
Assuming these crooks get prosecuted cant the OP seek restitution under the Proceeds of Crime Act ?
Click to expand...
Yes but they need to have had a judgement against them for being naughty. Also there needs to be money or assets available. Problem is these peeps have been around for some time and know how to work the system. They're normally one step ahead.
 
KISSMYAURA said:
Wot he said, also raise a claim via civil courts do online, its cheap to start process, often this is enough as the cost for them is huge to defend so most bite the bullet and pay up.
Click to expand...
He will need to look up the steps required before legal action and carry them out first. If not followed then legal action won't work.

It will be something like sending a recorded letter and email to them stating the facts. The car was collected for agreed work and price on xxx date for return after 10 days. Time spent so far is unreasonable and you have not been give a reason as to why there is a delay.. Numerous calls on dates xxx and have failed to get the car back repaired. Confirm his contact details are the same and haven't changed, list them again and his demand. Also warn them he will take legal action if they fail to complete his demand. A reasonable time limit needs to be put on this for them to take action or reply. Say two weeks. If that fails to get the car back then he can write and email again, or may be in a position to then carry out the legal action he warned them about if demands were not met.

By demand I mean car returned fixed in the state it was in when it left for the agreed price, bearing in mind the contract agreed.

When peeps write said letters they often do so by eggsplaining the law or saying it's not fair. This is a cr*p way to do it. The letter needs to be factually correct, precise in demand and what happens, but not confrontational like stating they is a bunch of bell ends.

Also state the vehicle has been reported as stolen to the police. Don't give the crime ref number.

You may find yer insurance company may help with this. They may provide free legal advice as part of yer insurance or a £2 per minute legal advice help line or simular. If yer insurance runs out then you may still need to renew it with them to keep a potential claim open for action.

Yer probably all wondering what they will do with the letter. Ignore it. But it's a vital step that's needed. No demand and time to react means court action will fail. They need to be given the facts a have right to reply.

If you take legal action to recover loss then there are 3 options:
- They ignore it and you win if they don't turn up or don't defend the case against them.
- They defend the action against them but dont counter claim against you.
- They counter claim to say you caused them loss. Like ignoring their calls... They have stored it for you at £50 per day and list their costs to recover. Hence arguing yer case against them is void and you owe them money. You can lose this receive a bill.

You should seriously think about the challenge you face and take legal advice from a solicitor. Initial talk will be free for say 20 minutes but if they draft a letter or look into it the bill will hit £200 straight away. And rise higher.

Talking hippo's ont web are not the best producers of legal advice. May I refer you to me signature below.
 
Carreg said:
I couldnt let that go...Whatever it took
Click to expand...
Same here. The only option will be court action if what I have been told is true. If he wins they won't pay. He will then need to get it enforced, then employ the use of a county court cherrif (higher powers than what a baylift has and they don't need to give notice of turning up) to enforce the court order/ruling (assuming he wins).

Cherrif can seize all goods on site without entry and call police if stopped carrying out his work. Those who stop it are removed for breach of peace etc if doing so. Assets can be sold at auction if they dun't pay up.

Problem is ass oles like these know the rules, have been through this loads of times before... And dun't give a sh*t. House will be in wife's name. Company will have minimal cash and assets etc.
 
Cheap to start but if they take any notice they will ask for the court hearing to be held locally - which they are entitled to do - so the OP is back to the 10 1/2 hours travelling plus any costs for that & accomodation.
Likely if a judgement was made against them then they will simply dissolve the company so no money & even further out of pocket.
I would suggest - as Hippo says - that the OP speaks to a lawyer to see what if any action is possible. Note that Scottish law is different to English law & I'm not sure under which country's court system you would need to proceed.
Whether the insurance company paying out for the loss of the vehicle would influence that I have no idea so it might be worth discussing it with them as well.
 
There's people you can contact that can go and retrieve your goods and cash for you, might cost you 50% of the value, but you'll feel very satisfied!
 
The terms and conditions of sale will state the legal system the contract is under... and used in the event of a despute.

Others on the web refer to terms and conditions. I would hope the OP has a copy with an agreed price and description of what was being purchased when he entered into agreement with them.
 
ghound said:
It's a method commonly used here in Northern Ireland when someone fecks you over.
Click to expand...
We have a number of gun owners on ere who argue about the size and length of their weapon and how good they are shooting with it. You have more chance of them turning up on Bob's bus ready to ambush said garage than getting yer car back. These are organised professional bastids.
 
If you take them to court, i suspect that you will find that the company you win against has zero assets, and a whole load of debt

Thats how the fore mentioned Edward Barrington used to work. Trading standards etc. got him in the end and he did time but i think it was only 18 months or so, and he is back again now, spinning the same tales on facebook.

Im always surprised that real life isnt more like tv - i mean you would have thought that, by law of averages, they would eventually rip off someone feisty, and get mounted to a cross in their front garden with a nail gun - but it just does not seem to happen, despite all the "im going to go round there with my mates" keyboard talk.
 
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