Just thought I would write a few lines about a spate of dodgy ads and sellers that seem to have cropped up lately. I know, that in an ideal world, we would all check things out thoroughly before we part with any cash but it's not always so straightforward is it?
Just before Christmas last year I saw an advert on Gumtree, for a pair of BMW 323i's. There was a description of both cars and details of their spec. It said that both cars had desirable LSD's and dogleg gearboxes and that the seller knew how valuable and sought after these parts were.
I rang the seller and asked for photos. I also asked him to confirm the specifications. He described the cars conditions and made it clear that he knew what the parts were and even said they were ''the first thing I checked when I bought the cars''. I told the seller that it was mainly these parts I wanted and that it was their value that justified the £2k asking price. In fact, I asked him several times, by phone and text, where he said he understood my needing to be certain but that I needn't worry. He knew I was 400 miles away and given his assurances, I trusted him and paid the agreed price.
Eventually the cars were delivered to me and it was obvious that, upon inspection, the cars did not have the parts described in the advert. I was obviously pi55ed off at being lied to and deliberately misled so obviously I rang him immediately.
Once the seller answered the phone he acted surprised that the cars didn't have the parts he'd advertised and described. He then started saying things like he ''thought they were there'' and how ''another guy had looked and told him that they were fitted''. The longer the conversation went on, the more times he contradicted himself. I made it clear that he had obtained my money by deception and that I wanted my money returned, once the cars were transported back. It was at this point that he stated this was a civil matter and it was clear he had known this conversation was coming. He also went on to make threats of what he would do, if I were to turn up at the address where the cars had been collected from. I also noted the guy had removed his Gumtree advert but I had already printed off copies and informed Gumtree. It's also funny how brave people can be when they're hundreds of miles away, sat behind their computer.
So, here we are a couple of weeks down the line and the matter is in the hands of the Police. I managed to trace the sellers home address via the DVLA, which came as a bit of a shock to him, so I just hope the Police decide to prosecute? If not, I'll pursue the civil case but I will see it through, whichever it is?
So, lesson learned and I won't trust anyone's word again. Sad but there you go. How many of us have seen things advertised though and taken them at their word?
It was then that last week another friend told me of some parts he had arranged to buy. He had received a call where the guy had told him he had some specific parts he was after. They agreed a price and the guy gave his bank details. In fact, it was his wife or girlfriends bank account. As I am sure you've guessed by now, that was the last he heard from him. He is now also being sought by the Police although, unless there is some written evidence, as there is with my own case, a criminal prosecution may be tough. ( offenders are Pete Firth & Laura Buckley - both from Hull and being sought by Police)
Then today I heard another case of someone advertising on a car forum. Another example of a desirable and valuable part that, with courier costs, totalled near £500! Said part turned out not to be what was advertised so it was promised that the money would be returned. Here we are 2 weeks later, no money and calls and texts are being ignored.
I guess car forums and the people that use them honestly can be seen as targets for those who want to scam money? The likes of Paul Woodward who have put an incredible amount of effort into joining forums with the sole intention of scamming people out of their hard earned cash. In the most part, the people I have met and dealt with have been decent, honest and genuine and I have always tried to be the same myself in return. It's a shame that there are people prepared to use that trust to their advantage.
I guess my motive in writing this post is stating the obvious? Yes, all of us who were scammed were too trusting and 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. It does seem that the number of scams is on the increase lately. If you're on the hunt for that elusive part and someone contacts you, saying they have it for sale, just think twice before putting your hand in your pocket and if you do buy stuff, maybe those fees are worth the peace of mind, of knowing you have redress should things not be all they first seem.
Just before Christmas last year I saw an advert on Gumtree, for a pair of BMW 323i's. There was a description of both cars and details of their spec. It said that both cars had desirable LSD's and dogleg gearboxes and that the seller knew how valuable and sought after these parts were.
I rang the seller and asked for photos. I also asked him to confirm the specifications. He described the cars conditions and made it clear that he knew what the parts were and even said they were ''the first thing I checked when I bought the cars''. I told the seller that it was mainly these parts I wanted and that it was their value that justified the £2k asking price. In fact, I asked him several times, by phone and text, where he said he understood my needing to be certain but that I needn't worry. He knew I was 400 miles away and given his assurances, I trusted him and paid the agreed price.
Eventually the cars were delivered to me and it was obvious that, upon inspection, the cars did not have the parts described in the advert. I was obviously pi55ed off at being lied to and deliberately misled so obviously I rang him immediately.
Once the seller answered the phone he acted surprised that the cars didn't have the parts he'd advertised and described. He then started saying things like he ''thought they were there'' and how ''another guy had looked and told him that they were fitted''. The longer the conversation went on, the more times he contradicted himself. I made it clear that he had obtained my money by deception and that I wanted my money returned, once the cars were transported back. It was at this point that he stated this was a civil matter and it was clear he had known this conversation was coming. He also went on to make threats of what he would do, if I were to turn up at the address where the cars had been collected from. I also noted the guy had removed his Gumtree advert but I had already printed off copies and informed Gumtree. It's also funny how brave people can be when they're hundreds of miles away, sat behind their computer.
So, here we are a couple of weeks down the line and the matter is in the hands of the Police. I managed to trace the sellers home address via the DVLA, which came as a bit of a shock to him, so I just hope the Police decide to prosecute? If not, I'll pursue the civil case but I will see it through, whichever it is?
So, lesson learned and I won't trust anyone's word again. Sad but there you go. How many of us have seen things advertised though and taken them at their word?
It was then that last week another friend told me of some parts he had arranged to buy. He had received a call where the guy had told him he had some specific parts he was after. They agreed a price and the guy gave his bank details. In fact, it was his wife or girlfriends bank account. As I am sure you've guessed by now, that was the last he heard from him. He is now also being sought by the Police although, unless there is some written evidence, as there is with my own case, a criminal prosecution may be tough. ( offenders are Pete Firth & Laura Buckley - both from Hull and being sought by Police)
Then today I heard another case of someone advertising on a car forum. Another example of a desirable and valuable part that, with courier costs, totalled near £500! Said part turned out not to be what was advertised so it was promised that the money would be returned. Here we are 2 weeks later, no money and calls and texts are being ignored.
I guess car forums and the people that use them honestly can be seen as targets for those who want to scam money? The likes of Paul Woodward who have put an incredible amount of effort into joining forums with the sole intention of scamming people out of their hard earned cash. In the most part, the people I have met and dealt with have been decent, honest and genuine and I have always tried to be the same myself in return. It's a shame that there are people prepared to use that trust to their advantage.
I guess my motive in writing this post is stating the obvious? Yes, all of us who were scammed were too trusting and 20/20 hindsight is a wonderful thing. It does seem that the number of scams is on the increase lately. If you're on the hunt for that elusive part and someone contacts you, saying they have it for sale, just think twice before putting your hand in your pocket and if you do buy stuff, maybe those fees are worth the peace of mind, of knowing you have redress should things not be all they first seem.