I've actually met this bloke!
I ordered some alloy wheels and other items for our ten year old Bailey last summer.
I ordered direct from his website, and sat back and waited.
And waited and waited and waited!
This was during the floods in north east etc.
I assumed they where effect by the disruptions, so decided to contact them.
I phoned and phoned, and sent countless emails but got zero replies.
I was desperate for the wheels as i wanted to buy new tyres.
(the van was new to us, but we didn't know the age of the tyres etc)
It was getting to the point that i would have to fit new tyres to the old and rusty wheels.
After about three weeks of waiting to try the caravan out, i decided i would "visit" the warehouse.
I drove across the country from Manchester to Hull and was surprised to find no flooding or any disruption.
When i eventualy found the unit, it looked nothing like the one in their adverts.
It was a scruffy little lockup, with a tatty old Volvo outside.
I entered the unit to find the owner sat behind a cluttered counter.
He asked how he could help me, and looked a little shocked when i said why i was there.
He came out with excuse after excuse, and apologised for the delays.
He mentioned that he had been on holiday, and that his partner hadn't done any work.
He also said that a new girl was starting the following week, and hopefully he would be able to catch up.
As for my order, well he couldn't have done more to help me...!
He said my wheels had been sent to the wrong customer who was refusing to return them.
I wanted 13" wheels, as 14" wheels can be a pain to get the right weight/size rating on the tyres etc.
Anyway, i chose some 14"s in the end and wasn't charged the extra price.
He also threw some extra cleaning/tiolet fluids into my box.
Since i had my wheels, i was just happy to be finally able to get away.
I few weeks later, i was sent repeat items from my web order! (minus the wheels!)
I contacted them to arrange a return, but as you will have guessed i didn't get a reply..ooops!
It seems to me that this person isn't directly corrupt or a fraudster, rather he is struggling and business enept.
He just seemed to be swamped with paper work, and overwhelmed with orders.
I got a feeling he just needed to take on more staff, and he would have a good business.
I think the reality is that he/the business just couldn't afford to do that because of the mess it was already in.
This doesn't excuse his conduct in any way, and to carry on trading/taking money when you know it is simply impossible to fullfil your orders is criminal.
He MUST be punished for his actions if only to stop him doing it in the future.
The only thing i find hard to beleive, is the time it took ebay and Visa to suspend his accounts.
Paul...
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Topic: caravanpartsonline
