Lotus Elan Central

by **RayD** » Fri 13.07.2007, 21:59

Richard,
I wouldn’t consider anything that would mean keeping the car. It would be better sent back, sooner rather than later. You will never be satisfied with it now.

As for Clemo and Dave’s contribution - a superb job, I’m sure many others will benefit from the information in future.

Ray

by **TrueBlue** » Fri 13.07.2007, 22:03

dapinky wrote:
TrueBlue wrote:makes me feel a bit edgy about wether anyone would be able to track him/them/it down - legally or otherwise

Everyone is traceable

I would be surprised if the garage would argue over returning the £5k with the apparently overwhelming stack of evidence - the only question then to remain, is how much extra 'compensation' they should make available to you!

(even if they refund you totally, they have still committed the criminal offences and it would not preclude any prosecution)

when i was in my late teens and growing up i was a bit of a rogue
i am glad to say now i am not like that and try to be honest as i can with much deliberation..
everyone in the end has to pay for their sins which i have done and still strive to do
if the dealer gives me a full refund then i am inclined not to take criminal action but rather to use the power of the ethos if necssary to perhaps make an honester man if possible out of a rogue in a gentler more omnipresent pathalogical way.
but ONLY if i get a full refund
(I have to be careful how i speek cos this is public googleable forum and nobody knows who i am right just in case)
i dont think most people are ALL bad
HOWEVER
this guy is quite old i dont know if that makes a difference or if he could change if it turns out he wont give me a refund?
I'm actually starting to quite enjoy this challenge

if he doesnt re-fund me then i will go all out for as much as i can !!!! :!:

maybe we could make some money for charity even?!!! :!:

to help others who may come here with the same sort of problem...to pay for lawyers etc what a good idea!! :!:

ive parked the lotus up until this is sorted
and brought out my 1994 suzuki vitara rossini jeep (limited edition and JOOP colour and joop wheel cover) havent got a fatboy kit yet
i was so releived when i brought it out earlier ive had it for 8 years and it has NEVER BROKEN DOWN

i think the vitara should also be given an award - like the elan its one of the only other cars that i think look really nice
plus the audi TT and the merk slk

but the elans is by far in the leed and the nicest!!!! and i still love my joopy alot

RayD: i agree totally and shall be doing this if possible and its gotta be worth 2.5k scrap so thats a bonus
if he doesnt re-fund me fully i will isuzuki (spooky!!)

by **Sy V** » Sat 14.07.2007, 09:21

Richard

You're new to this fraternity and you've received some valuable advice from some well-learned individuals in the few days that you've been a member.

I think I can speak for everyone by saying that we sympathize with you and the predicament in which you find yourself.

On a personal note, I can empathize with you entirely following your last post in this thread - the first few lines read like an abridged version of my autobiography (if I were ever to write one).

I too avoid confrontation where possible. But sometimes, you have to fight your corner, even if it goes against your natural persona.

Bottom line - I agree with Ray and the others; settle for nothing less than a full refund. I only wish I could offer more than just moral support.

Good luck.

Sy

by **TrueBlue** » Sat 14.07.2007, 13:14

thanks sy v
ive sent the letter off today recorded delivery
threatening legal action and fraud investigation if i do not get a reply within 7 days

also
about to watch WARRIOR KING' dvd film
never seen it dont know how good it will be?
this should prepare me for my fight
maybe they should bring out a lotus elan CONVOY film
LOL

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 14.07.2007, 13:29

TrueBlue wrote:maybe they should bring out a lotus Elan CONVOY film
LOL

We do convoys as well!

by **clemo** » Sat 14.07.2007, 19:03

whatever happens i hope we can get this sorted for richard while the sun is still out...

i have also been sent some excellent pm's form those in the know that are not fit for public forum that should help tip the balance in the favor of richard.....

lec is by sure the friendliest place in cyberspace...

clemo

by **RayD** » Sat 14.07.2007, 21:24

A few days ago I said that this thread…
http://lotuselancentral.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=10142
had broke the record for LEC Customer Satisfaction. Hopefully this one will take its place.

Richard could do with running his subsequent letters passed one of the experts before sending them to the Royal Mail.

A good result would be a full refund for the car and transport in both directions, taking him back to where he would have been had it never happened, albeit a lot wiser.
Ray.

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 14.07.2007, 22:42

Sorry Ray, but I disagree with the transport back to Nottingham. The chances are we would end up with a similar tale of woe or some other poor sole without the help of LEC will end up with a dog.

The ideal would be full refund with due consideration for stress and expenses in resolving the matter for Richard, Clemo to be given the wreck for spares to save the vendor the trouble and expense of coming to collect it and the boys in blue taking a break from meeting targets to perform some real policing, culminating in the prosecution and seizure of assets of dear old Robbing Hood. :evil:

Richard, if you want anything reviewed, then please do ask.

Geoff

by **dapinky** » Sun 15.07.2007, 12:12

If the vehicle has been 'clocked' or otherwise fraudulently tampered with (I'm NOT necesarily suggesting that either the seller has done so, or even has knowledge of the fact!) then there is a procedure for the car to be seized by VOSA and duly disposed of. It CAN be given a class 'B' write-off (but probably unlikely, unless there is other dangerous aspects of its condition) and therefore broken for spares only. It is far more likely that it will be given a class 'C' or even 'D', and the matter endorsed on the V5.

The issue here is whether the seller is going to be honest with any subsequent purchaser - in an ideal world, the actual condition of the car will be publically declared, and an independent vehicle inspection report provided for the proposed new purchaser. That way, (as we all know) the recorded mileage is irrelivent and the actual condition is more important.

If the seller were to be REALLY helpful, they may even wish to actively invite prospective buyers to view this thread, by either printing it out and supplying it with the car, or just informing customers of the LEC site.

After all, with nothing to hide, how much more could they possibly do???

by **clemo** » Sun 15.07.2007, 16:52

i think i have been here before.. m100 sp
which shows within a small amount of cars in the uk available. i have managed to view 2 of the worst....
and if thats just me looking , god knows how many more their are out there..

the uk for sale pages on here would be my 1st port of call if i were a new elaner.. at least then there may be some honestly from a likeminded LEC seller
(obviously not the 1 post wonders) but those who have enjoyed and shared for years...

might put together a "buying help" sticky thread including the pitfalls shown here..

clemo

by **GaryJ** » Thu 19.07.2007, 16:24

Hi True Blue. I have not been a very active member here for a while but have just read all these posts. Has really wound me up! (I am a car dealer myself for my sins - awaiting a barrage of abuse.....!)

Have just checked PowerHouse details on Companies House.

http://wck2.companieshouse.gov.uk/4dc15 ... ompdetails

Is this the same company? If it is, it looks as though they may be struck off.

I really do hope you get a refund at least.

Good luck.

by **TrueBlue** » Thu 19.07.2007, 18:04

hi Gary

no thats not the one although it seems to be in the same sort of area of the country 'up north'...i dont think the powerhouse car centre is a limited company like the one you have mentioned here.

I bought a new 1990 elan off of clemo the other day...its in much better condition with 100k miles but a full GENUINE lotus dealer service history !!!!
just needs new hood rubbers and bonnet re-spray at some point to remove a few stone chips..
very clean inside & newly upholstered
this is GENUINELY and good example especially when it has new seels..

been out most of the day driving around...lovely weather here in SW

by **TrueBlue** » Sat 21.07.2007, 14:09

well it has been a week since i sent the recorded letter and i have had no reply
so now i have to call the police
can anyone reccomend the correct number or department to call?
the local garage told me the police wont be interested?
if anyone wants to buy the car for a project or parts it is 3K no offers just to get it out the way
12 months MOT 6 mnths TAX

cheers

by **RayD** » Sat 21.07.2007, 14:56

Richard,
You don’t deserve to loose out, particularly by £2000. I would stick at it. If it’s going to cost you anything, it might be better spent on a solicitor.
Ray

by **Monty** » Sat 21.07.2007, 15:06

Did u actually ring the garage 1st before sending the letter?

Don`t give up so easly

might have to go through small claims court so u will have to keep the car for now. What u should do is get an offical report from a lotus dealer and how bad the vechile is.

by **TrueBlue** » Sat 21.07.2007, 15:24

Monty wrote:Did u actually ring the garage 1st before sending the letter?

Don't give up so easly might have to go through small claims court so u will have to keep the car for now. What u should do is get an offical report from a lotus dealer and how bad the vechile is.

trading standards advised me to write and not ring

the letter was singned for by someone ive never heard of
i doubt they would turn up to court anyway (they havent yet replied to letter)

i would rather just have them put away by the police
as they have not replied to my letter

they will get their cumupence dont u worry

by **GeoffSmith** » Sat 21.07.2007, 16:59

Stick with it Richard.

It certainly appears as if a criminal offence has been committed, so personally, I would involve the Police - he might then realise you're serious. Can Pinky advise the best route in past the local bobby on the desk?:poke: It may also help on reclaiming your costs.

On the civil side, if it does end up in court, I don't think it matters if the other party does not turn up (it may even help as Judges tend to take a dim view of people not attending their hearings and the other side aren't there to argue the toss and put forward a "reasonable" argument).

It might be worth getting advice on what his company status means if you have to resort to e.g. bailiffs - he might make more effort to communicate if his wife's car is in danger of being seized.

It took me a few years to teach my ex-neighbour that he couldn't go around causing people grief. We eventually had to get a charge on his house to make sure we got our £12k - the look on his face when he realised he couldn't sell his house and disappear off into the sunset without paying was priceless apparently.

All the best,

Geoff

by **Monty** » Sat 21.07.2007, 19:50

TrueBlue wrote:
trading standards advised me to write and not ring

the letter was singned for by someone ive never heard of
i doubt they would turn up to court anyway (they havent yet replied to letter)

i would rather just have them put away by the police
as they have not replied to my letter

they will get their cumupence dont u worry

Can`t agree with that, you should of rang them 1st to state that u wasn`t happy with the car etc to see if it could of been resolved and maybe recorded the conversation. Face to face should of been u`r 1st course of action, then the phone and lastly by letter. I
f nothing came of that then u need to do a bit of research and find out who is the owner of the company or the MD and talk to him direct or send him a letter but saying u`ve tried to resolve this but with no luck and then threaten with legal action. But u need a report on the state of the vechile, ie lotus dealer as clemo`s won`t count lol.

Even thou u`ve sent them letter recorded delivery will mean nothing as there`s no prove whats actually in the letter, all u`ve got is that some one has signed for it. It`s possible some office idiot has just binned it :roll:

Can`t see the Police taking any action so u will need to get back on to trading standards to see whats the best legal action u can take as IIRC small claims court is a max of 5k.

news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/working_lunch/1435585.stm
www.citizensadvice.org.uk/index/campaigns/social_policy/consultation_responses/cr_legalaffairs/the_courts__small_claims_inquiry

How did u pay for the vechile, if by the card it may be possible to get intouch with the creditcard company

by **TrueBlue** » Sat 21.07.2007, 21:00

I know monty
thats why i would be happy just to sell the car cheap to get it off my drive and out the way
i really cant be doing with all this hassle i would rather just leave it to the police to sort out..

what makes it worse is that i'm also giving up smoking and i really cant be doing with the stress right now

its a shame so many people think the police are unwilling to help, not that ive called them yet...and also yes the county court is useless too because the defendant just ignores everything...and you rarely/never get your money

by **Monty** » Sat 21.07.2007, 23:42

TrueBlue wrote:
what makes it worse is that i'm also giving up smoking and i really cant be doing with the stress right now

oh deer, well all this isn`t going to help with breaking the habbit

Well what ever happens it sure hasn`t put u off Elan ownership :wink:

Lotus Elan Central

Got my Lotus Elan Yesterday!!

Who is online