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JUST WHEN WE THOUGHT LIFE WAS GETTING BETTER !!!

63 comments


Sorry for being so dramatic, but I just needed to let off steam !
On the 22nd January , after our little car failed its m.o.t and would be costing more than the car was worth, we decided to visit our local village garage to buy another second hand little car. We found one almost straight away just under £1000 which is just in our price range ! So off I went for a test drive and this really nice young man said he would give us a years m.o.t. and 6 months warranty, so we bought it !
Unbeknown to us this "nice young man " actually rented the forecourt space and an office at the garage . We were due to pick it up on the following Monday , but received a phone call from the garage saying that this "nice young man " had gone off sick and could we leave collecting the car until Saturday. Even though we thought this strange, we agreed. On the Thursday before the Saturday, we had a phone call from the garage saying that this " not so nice young man ", putting it politely, had removed all the cars from the forecourt including ours and had disappeared !
Obviously it had been well and truly planned , which is why he “went off sick” so that our money we had paid him with our debit card had gone into his account !
After the shock and tears had worn off, we called the police who asked us to give it until Saturday incase the car was still delivered to us ! No…that did not happen !
I rang Citizens Advice to find out if the garage should be held responsible, plus a solicitor and was told that it had been entirely a separate business. The owner of the garage told us that this chap had stolen vehicles from them, embezzled large amounts of money from companies and also conned another lady out of her car when he was at another garage forecourt .
The police came back to see us on Sunday night to get a statement and a detective rang yesterday to tell us he was in charge of the case, but was now a job lot of cases against this man ! He is also looking into compensation for us, but don’t expect any and the bank have put a claim in to try and recuperate our money, but I won’t hold my breath ! Apparently we should have paid by credit card !
Unfortunately it is a hard lesson learnt as we are too trusting !
This man knew we needed a car for getting Rick to the hospital for his cancer check ups, but couldn’t have cared less !
The garage have had a good name round here for over 40 years and in one nights work by this B…..man have lost it, not to mention the thousands of pounds he took from them !
Because we just manage nicely on our pensions, decided to get a small loan for part of the money for this car, have now , not only lost our car and money, but still have to pay the loan back ! Where is the justice in that and he is still managing to keep one step ahead of the police !
And….that also means….no green house too !!

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Comments

 

Oh Rose! I'm not going to click 'like' how could I? The more I read of your blog the more I wanted to cry for you and the more I felt so angry. I hope they catch the low life who has committed this dreadful act and when they do that they throw the book at him. Meanwhile please take heart in the fact your friends are all thinking of you and wishing you well and hoping for some good luck round the corner...surely you're due some. Send love and hugs.

2 Feb, 2016

 

Oh Rose I cannot write my thoughts, I am spitting feathers on your behalf, I am cursing this person and I know one shouldn't think such things but put it this way I do not wish him well.
Sending good wishes and hugs to both of you.. XXX..

2 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you so much Waddy and Sue. ( Lincslass) I would have liked to have put his companies name on here , but wasn't sure of the legal side of this ! The police said that unfortunately when they do catch him, it often takes up to a year to get someone to court! I have been asked if I would be prepared to go to court, which of course I am, so its just as well I keep a diary !
The worst thing I didn't mention is that this man is still blatantly selling cars from a ficticious address and has the gall to still be on face book where my daughter found him and sent him a not so nice message ! My son also found him on Instagram drinking expensive champagne with his mates last week...on our money !

2 Feb, 2016

 

Oh oh dear, oh how awful.....I'm greaved for you, what a horrible man

You're right about the credit card
I wouldn't have one until the bank explained to me that using it on line or for transactions such as yours means that its the banks money, you are borrowing it....
not like the debit card

I so hope you can get some recompence, surely someone must know where the blighters gone ?

2 Feb, 2016

 

Just read your comments Rose, surely someone will shop him!!

2 Feb, 2016

 

You would think so Amy, wouldn't you ! Thank you !

2 Feb, 2016

 

My son was going to put an article in the Telegraph Pam, showing the pictures he found, but didn't want him to get in any trouble, but I did forward all of these on to the police woman's phone , plus a conversation my daughter had with him by face book message when she pretended to be a "friend", so at least they know what he looks like now !

2 Feb, 2016

 

This is just dreadful Rose. We always pay large bill by credit card....it was a lawyer friend who told us. It makes you wonder how some people can be so despicable. He can resell the same cars over and over again. I am so sorry Rose. X

2 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you Linda, we were told by the garage that they have recently found that our car was actually someone else's so it looks like this he what he had done !

2 Feb, 2016

 

Hello Pamg, I think I just called you Amy in my last reply to you ! Sorry ! Too much on my mind !

2 Feb, 2016

 

Rose, I am horrified to read this and feel dreadfully sorry for you and Rick. This is a terrible story and I wish with all my heart that it hadn't happened to you.

You have been through enough just lately without this as well.

Please let us know if any good news follows from the police or the bank.

2 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you Chris ! I will be in touch soon ! xx

2 Feb, 2016

 

Rose ... sending you a PM.

2 Feb, 2016

 

Rose I'm speechless. Just hope they catch the beast.

2 Feb, 2016

 

oh dear what a horrible thing for you to have to deal with. I hope it all gets sorted for you. x

2 Feb, 2016

 

I am so sickened to read this Rose,and I can't believe what a scumbag that man is,to do this to you and Rick..and to the poor owner of the Garage too..I really hope the info you have given the police,helps to catch this lowlife,and his accomplices,,as I'm sure he couldn't have done all that on his own?
I wonder if the police would let you or your daughter 'share' with friends on Facebook,so they can all see who he is,and what he looks like? probably not,if they already have some leads,but worth asking...
I agree with other comments about paying large amounts with a credit card..but we should be able to trust people..
You are both in our thoughts,and hope you get some positive news very soon..xxx

3 Feb, 2016

 

Rose, this is appalling ... I sincerely hope you and Rick can manage to keep as healthy as possible through the stress of it all ...
..and, yes ... share the info. on facebook ... everyone else seems to do so in similar circumstances, and you might save others from being conned by this criminal.

3 Feb, 2016

 

Just sending you a (((hug ))) every other forum member as said what Iam thinking .....

3 Feb, 2016

amy
Amy
 

Oh Rose that is shocking there are truly some wicked people about . All garage owners should be made aware of this even going to the lengths of taking a photo of anyone looking to rent space its obvious they must be taking the same cars to display for sale at another venue , A big hug from me I really hope you get your money back and they get what they deserve, locked up and throw away the key .. x

3 Feb, 2016

 

I don't mind being Amy. Rose ? no problem xxx

I'd wring his neck ....., it was on my mind last night, like everyone I just hope he gets that smug smile wiped off his face

3 Feb, 2016

 

You do see lots of pics and threads on Facebook warning about scams and cons but I am always a bit dubious myself as to whether they can cause more trouble for the innocent party, I know we do see a lot of name and shame postings but there are also idiots on there ready to jump on the bandwagon just for the chance to sound off, its difficult to know what is best, sorry Rose I didn't mean to hit like but once done you can't delete.....

3 Feb, 2016

 

I'm so sorry to hear this Rose. There is always someone looking to dupe honest, trusting people.It just seems so unfair and unjust.
I hope you can get some help/compensation and that this chap is caught and well and truly learns his lesson.Although, I suspect the latter is a forlorn hope.
Wishing you all the best and some good fortune for a change.

3 Feb, 2016

 

oh you poor things. I hate this sort of crime and as to the bloke doing it they see it as almost honourable because 'no one got physically hurt'. I know a few coppers who would like to take this sort of person down a dark alley. but not allowed to these days.

3 Feb, 2016

 

Rose,I have just read this dreadful tale......you poor things.......this person needs to be dealt with severely (if he is ever brought to justice)My thoughts are with you both.x

3 Feb, 2016

 

Sorry to hear of your problems these type of people who pray on the most vulnerable I can't believe how they sleep at night.

3 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you all so much for your kind words ! Its nice to know that we all have a "back up" on here !
Sue( Lincslass ), my daughter actually found him on face book and pretended to be a "friend" ! When he replied accepting her , she asked him if he still sold cars. This B.....man actually asked her if she wanted one ! She said that she did...she wanted her parents car back or the money pronto or she would go to the police ! I think she would have been better off leading him on to meeting up at his next garage on the pretext of buying a car , but informing the police at the same time, so they could catch him ! When I told the police woman who came to take a statement, she sighed and said she wished people wouldn't get involved on facebook ! She didn't approve , especially as now my daughter had tipped him off ! So you are probably right Sue, not a good idea to get involved on face book !
Thank you for caring
Love Rose xxx

3 Feb, 2016

 

Yes, always deal with this through the police. You really don't know who you are dealing with. A while ago a couple contracted to do some home repairs and the contractor left with the money an the job half done. They decided to handle things on their own without going to court or authorities and the end result of this is too horrible to tell.

3 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you for that Loosestrife ! You are right about this !
Sandra ( Bloomer ) I'm sorry I didn't get back to you on what you said, but I think what I have just put on here for Lincslass will answer your question ! Thank you and don't worry about us ! We will get over this ! xx

4 Feb, 2016

 

As you have all been so kind sending your messages , I should have thanked you all individually !
So...thank you Shirley , Stera and Sandra. Homebird and Terra and thanks for the hugs Kidsgran, I needed them !
Thank you Amy , Paul, Seaburngirl girl and Julia ( Meadowland ) and Peter.

4 Feb, 2016

 

I am sorry to read this Rose. It's a disgrace
:( Some people are just evil. I am disgusted ...
I do hope it can be resolved and the man concerned is caught, and punished ... and even more that you can be compensated.
I also hope it won't affect the health of you both.

4 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you Hywel ! I didn't think living in a lovely village like ours that anything could happen like this ! I'm afraid Rick and I don't live in the real world ! I'm sure the police will catch up with him soon !
What this has shown us though, is how many lovely friends we have here in Laceby , considering we have only lived here for nearly 3 years and what a great support group we have on here too !

5 Feb, 2016

 

That is probably why your village was targeted,Rose..no one would ever think anything like that would ever happen..we feel safe in a small community with people we know and trust..You hear it so often on the news,that "we didn't expect it to happen on our doorstep"...and sadly,these days it does...it will ease in time,Rose..don't let the B.......s get you down..
You sound as though you have some great support where you live,which is worth a lot..:o)

5 Feb, 2016

 

I watched a programme on money matters and apparently debit cards are treat similarly as credit cards if transactions go wrong, you need to get some further advice. The bank manager knows this and should be able to help you, also go back to citizens advice and see what they say about debit card payments. Hope you get it sorted soon. I hate this type of crime it's very easy to fall foul, we are a very trusting clan.

5 Feb, 2016

 

We use a credit card to pay off a small amount of the purchase price - you only need to pay £100 of a bill up to £30,000 to be covered by the protection offered by credit card suppliers. The total cost of any item will be covered not just the small amount on the credit card. Unfortunately scumbags like your car salesman know the score and will often not offer you the opportunity to buy using a credit card. It is a good idea to pay only a small amount as a deposit with the remainder to be paid when you pick up the goods. You probably feel embarrassed at being hoodwinked by this chap but a look at the adverts on tv offering loans with ridiculously high rates of interest suggests to me that the back street loan sharks are now legit and as older members of society we need to look very closely at anything we sign up to. I don't think you can win as the only real crime nowadays seems to be being getting caught. No wonder people get in to financial difficulties. I agree with the advice from Oliveoil that a return trip to the citizens advice service might be helpful.
The main suppliers also offer to try and get your money back from the dealer if you pay by debit card but you then have to wait until they get the money back before they will give you a refund. It is a voluntary scheme run by the credit card suppliers. If you google 'protection offered by suppliers of credit and debit cards' you should be able to see who offers what and read the fine print to see when they do not feel obliged to refund your money eg when buying tickets through an agency. It is a minefield. Perhaps you could try getting in touch with the dealer using an internet café site. Once you get a hold of him set up a meeting to see a car and invite the police along. They probably do not have the manpower to cover all of that but if they would agree to your posing as a new customer and give you back up on the day they could get him that way.
I'm glad to hear your neighbours are supporting you. I wish you and Rick everything you would wish for yourselves and I think you are incredibly brave to tell us what has happened. God bless you both.

5 Feb, 2016

 

Nowhere is safe these days Rose.

5 Feb, 2016

 

Hello Barbara, we have put in a claim to the bank and are waiting to hear from them ! Thank you ! I spoke to Citizens Advice and they told me the same, but originally , the bank had said it was more difficult to get back by debit card !
Thank you Scotsgran, I really appreciate what you and all my other goy friends have said !
We both realise now, too late of course, that we should have paid a deposit but we are both too trusting !
I will look on Google though as you suggested to see if we are entitled to anything back. We should know something next week !
If they do catch this dealer, I'm not expecting any money back from him as he will probably then go bankrupt!

6 Feb, 2016

 

I totally agree with you Hywel , and we still have to find a second hand car and a reputable dealer !

6 Feb, 2016

 

Join the rest of us who are or have been equally trusting. Why should we need to worry about people being honest especially in a small close village community. I dk if you are members of a motoring organisation but I noticed the RAC offering to check out cars before you commit to them. It costs around £15.00 and might be something we should all look into. I dk if any of our members have experience of the scheme but it sounds comforting to someone like me who is not interested in mechanical things. We have just replaced my car and I did not think to check it had a spare wheel. I can change a wheel or at least I have done. It has a modern equivalent. Our motoring organisation patrolman said not to use it as it can ruin your tyres and wheels. This car also has an automatic hand brake replacing the old hands on one I was used to. If your local garage owner who rented out space to the dealer is as honest as he says he is he should have contacts in the business who might be able to source a car for you. I hope you find a new car soon.

6 Feb, 2016

 

Hello Rose, I was relating the story of your low life car sales man, to my friendly computer man and he said that both your bank and the police should be able to trace him through the bank he cashed your debit card. Just thought I'd pass that tipbit on. Hope things are looking up for you.x

9 Feb, 2016

 

Thanks once again Scotsgran ! I will look into this .

Thanks Waddy, I wonder why its taking the police so long to locate him ! I think I will ring the police again to see if there is any news. I do have a contact no. for the detective who is looking into the case as it appears that every day that goes by, someone else is reporting a car crime against this same man !

10 Feb, 2016

 

Give the police time. They really are overwhelmed with the things they have to deal with everyday.

10 Feb, 2016

 

If you have his number I'd contact him.....I'm sure he won't mind xxx

A few years ago we had a bike stolen and actually got it back!!

10 Feb, 2016

 

Thanks Loosestrife and Pam ! I do appreciate your input !
Homebird, I looked into debit charge back and its usual for money to get paid back under £100 !
But Its too early to wonder what may or may not happen !

11 Feb, 2016

 

Oh Rose...now I fully understand your remarks on my pages...thats just dire. Please dont berate yourself for a second. This man took your trust, your money and your faith and trod them under foot. None of that is your fault..it's all his. It would be a terrible thing if we became 'less' anything because of criminals and other wicked deeds. You and Rick are lovely people and I hope you don't change a bit. Yes, its good to learn to protect yourself from similar in future, but not at the expense of your faith in human nature. We all get taken in in different ways by people who don't care....I hope we dont get worn down with it...though it takes time to get over these things. There was something on facebook recently about a man who cycled all around the globe and said what he learned was that people are much more generous, friendly and welcoming than we are sometimes led to believe. Hold on to that. Oh, and I hope and pray that you get your money back soon! X :) :(((((( feeling sad for you. X

18 Feb, 2016

 

P.s we have a runaround fiat Panda here needing a new home! Lol!

18 Feb, 2016

 

Hello Karen, its nice to see you back on here !
Thank you so much for all you said. I appreciate it !
We have found living here....and you will remember what we had to go through in Willow Cottage...that nice people do exist in our village , in our street and on GOY !
We have had a lot of support through this and I'm also pleased to say that Rick's PSA is down to 0.2 which is the best news ever !
It also appears that we WILL be getting our money back too ! So that man upstairs is surely looking after us !
We have managed to buy a little car too ! A Vauxhall Corsa! Very cheap from one of our neighbours who runs his own repairs garage !
So...thank you for the offer of the little Fiat, but won't be needing it ! lol

19 Feb, 2016

 

Rose, it is wonderful to read your latest comment. Thank goodness, I am so very relieved and so pleased for you. You both deserve things to go well for you and to have true peace of mind.

Lovely, happy news.
xx

19 Feb, 2016

 

Excellent news, Rose ... it's good to have read this. :o)

19 Feb, 2016

 

Fantastic!

19 Feb, 2016

 

Ah..thats great news all around! :)

19 Feb, 2016

 

Rose its so good to read your latest news ........

19 Feb, 2016

 

Rose that is brilliant news, so happy for you guys, love to have some good news its great to hear. :O)

20 Feb, 2016

 

Pleased to hear your news Rose.

21 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you Homebird...yes I have been doing a "happy dance" ! Rick's results for his cancer was the best news ever and at the end of the day is far more important than everything else !
Thanks Chris and I'm sorry I haven't been in touch lately, but I will be very soon ! xx
Thank you Shirley, Loosestrife , Karen and Sue !
Thank you Barbara also for your kind words !
You too Paul !
Isn't it great on here !

21 Feb, 2016

 

Wonderful news Rose. Now you can both have a special celebration!

21 Feb, 2016

 

Rose I feel like I'm celebrating with you. It is wonderful news about Rick's results. I am glad things are going well for you on all fronts and it is so pleasing to be part of the GOY family of friends. 'Keep Dancing' lol.

22 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you so much Sue and Scotsgran ! I really appreciate it! xx

23 Feb, 2016

 

Rose sorry I'm so late replying. Just wanted to say how sorry I was to hear of this. What a rat ******* of a man. Unfortunately variations of this are more common than you might think. Glad the police are looking into it, hope they can get him locked up.

The news on Rick is fantastic, I'm so pleased for you both. Long may it continue.

Hope you've got your money back in your account now.

Just a quick note to explain the difference for anyone who doesn't know. Purchases made by credit card where the total paid for a single item is more than £100 and less than £30,000 is protected if you pay by credit card. You don't have to pay the full amount by credit card, even if you only pay a deposit the whole amount is protected. If something goes wrong (the item isn't delivered or is faulty for example) the credit card company hold joint liability with the company who sold the item. So if you can't get your money back from the company the credit card are generally requires to refund you. There's a couple of Nuances to this rule. Martin Lewis's guide is a good one to get more detail.

Payments by debit card may be protected but this it a voluntary scheme by the bank. Their terms and conditions apply. This can make it very difficult to get a refund from them. Whereas the credit card payment protection is laid out in law (section 75 of the consumer credit act).

I always recommend paying at least a deposit by credit card on bigger ticket items. If anyone wants any more information, feel free to ask me.

27 Feb, 2016

 

Thank you Samjp, I think we must be very lucky to be getting our money back ! When I had looked into it just after it happened I didn't expect to, but as you said, it depends on the bank !
We shall be very careful in the future though about paying by debit card !

29 Feb, 2016

 

Oh I'm so very pleased to see this , for both wonderful reasons
Your guardian angels been very busy for you ?

29 Feb, 2016

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