affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

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lindalovelondon
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affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by lindalovelondon » Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:44 am

Hello two and a half months ago we paid a camper van specialist with his own website, apparent limited company etc to supply & fit a new RIB rock & roll bed in our Bongo, as we do a lot of driving with our small son in the back and wanted to upgrade our safety ahead of the summer.

They sent an invoice, which we paid by transfer which included supply & fit of the RIB chair. We booked in a date immediately, at the start of July. Then the excuses started...

First, that the seat ordered had arrived but it was the wrong size/ a new one needed to be sent. Delay.
Then, that the chair (which was coming from French company Scopema apparently, which was news to us) could not now be sent until September 1 as Scopema had gone on French leave for 6 weeks. Big delay.
Then, when we asked for a refund as didn't want to wait 6 weeks to get it done, that the camper van fitter's dad had died and he needed to 'get his head together'.
Then, no more responses at all until today when he emails to say his business has gone out of business. I've since looked and it was actually dissolved in May 2019 despite his website saying they are still a company so he has actually been operating as an individual.

I feel that we have been scammed and the chap just wanted the cash upfront - we paid most of the bill upfront as the RIB seat needed to be purchased, but whether or not he actually did buy it who knows. Any advice on what to do next/ has anyone suffered similar? It was quite a lot of cash for the seat and fitting kit, so we are feeling extremely upset especially as we did all of this to ensure we had a super safe van for our 5 year old.

We will be reporting to our bank, trading standards etc of course, but if anyone has done legal action around this type of thing please let us know how that went? Would prefer DMs in case the absolute piece of shit himself is reading this/ comes to this site.

If anyone knows anyone at Scopema it would also be super helpful too.
Bob
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by Bob » Tue Sep 08, 2020 11:48 am

Reall bummer. :twisted:

Might be worth trying a free 1/2 hour with a solicitor.
lindalovelondon
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by lindalovelondon » Tue Sep 08, 2020 12:23 pm

Scopema say they never received an order from the fitter, despite him saying he dealt direct with the French company on a text, so I think we do now know it was fraud.
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ever after.
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by ever after. » Tue Sep 08, 2020 2:30 pm

That's a new low, taking advantage of people who are investing in something to ensure their Childs safety.

Taking the money upfront and not ordering the part... can't help but wonder what their story is, what was the urgency?

Couldn't afford Rent? Gambling addiction?

Things like this are so infuriating, I can only wish ye well and hope ye get your money refunded.

Also, I hope you have kept all written proof of conversations held between you and the seller (emails, texts etc), as that would certainly be useful in a situation like this.
Ian
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by Ian » Tue Sep 08, 2020 2:36 pm

You should also let me (Ian at Bongo Fury) know the name of the individual/company for future reference. Best to do this by email [email protected]
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lindalovelondon
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by lindalovelondon » Tue Sep 08, 2020 4:02 pm

We have the full mail & text trail & plenty of evidence so we will follow up with the police & trading standards.

Thanks Ian I have emailed you so you are aware.
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by Bongolia » Tue Sep 08, 2020 10:03 pm

Tricky one, think Bob had the right idea see a solicitor.
Police are a waste of time lip service at best..
Had a similar experience recently buying a tow bar every excuse you could think of then came the lockdown and a new source of excuses.
Eventually charged back via CC company.
Maybe your house insurance includes a legal advice line?
Good Luck.
lindalovelondon
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by lindalovelondon » Wed Sep 09, 2020 8:59 am

Yes we're also getting a lawyer involved. Its the principle as much as anything!

What is a CC company? Is that a company that acts for creditors like ourselves?
Bob
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by Bob » Wed Sep 09, 2020 9:22 am

CC - Credit Card.

You have extra protection if you paid by card, sadly not by bank transfer.
lindalovelondon
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by lindalovelondon » Tue Sep 22, 2020 2:39 pm

Update - so we sent a "Letter Before Action" letter threatening to take him to court ... and either he or a friend just sent us a cheque for what we'd paid. I'd recommend Which? lawyers who were useful and cost effective.
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g8dhe
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by g8dhe » Tue Sep 22, 2020 3:12 pm

Great news!
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Bob
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Re: affected by RIB seat scam - advice?

Post by Bob » Tue Sep 22, 2020 4:24 pm

Result. =D>

Let us know once it's cleared. :wink:
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