Scam watch: scammer persuaded me to pay £2,600 upfront for a caravan

dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2346674/Apprentice-Alex-grave-allegations-really-raise-guybrows-TV-hopeful-condemned-furious-customers-hoodwinked-tombstone-business.html

There are more complaints at :
complaintsboard.com/complaints/prestige-slate-premier-slate-conmen-setup-in-new-name-c630560.html

Sometimes, no more than once a week, I think Which? could provide an index of all these on-line site where this company has appeared. It might also note the company officers or link to the Companies House site.

I would strongly suggest readers write to Companies House to object to the removal of information before the 20 year current standard. Apparently they were thinking of six years for dissolved companies like Premier Slate/Prestige Slate. I think the records should stay – we need to know who the Directors were.
enquiries-at- companieshouse.gov.uk

I, too, don’t know why we have repetitions of the same topics, unless something really new or novel warrants it. Perhaps we are in the silly season.

I agree about trading standards, after a useless non-exchange with Peterborough TS, National Trading Standards, Chartered TS Institute, and lack of effective help from Citizens Advice (why change their name?). Out of frustration I have asked my MP about the current situation, lack of communication with TS, who has raised it with Greg Clark. Bad timing, as they’ll all be in the sun, but if I don’t hear I’ll follow it up; my MP is pretty helpful.

I would like to see direct communication – both ways – with local trading standards, proper coordination on national issues through National TS, visibility to us all of problem products and companies, without the involvement of an unnecessary, probably overloaded third party like CA who seemingly are very limited in what they can do. I’d rather pay National TS to employ people to deal with complaints; it requires expertise and I’m sure there are enough of them to require quite a few full time jobs.

Great, and well spotted, DT. I suppose it doesn’t surprise me that he’s a reality TV show contestant, now.

Perhaps this typifies the kind of apprentice A S wants. No doubt they would have looked into his background first? When people take money from you they should go to prison. I would if I stole off my neighbour, but it seems not to happen in business. Perhaps we don’t have enough cells?

I also had a sense of déjà vu all over again with this item but where I have I seen it before? Was it in the magazine? A previous Conversation? A TV programme? Very odd.

I was also amused by Beryl’s tale of her brother’s sale of a caravan that went without a hitch; that’s remarkable.

I feel sorry for Jim Morris. I expect he has now had all the “you should have . . . ” advice he can stomach so I won’t add to his woes but it was brave of him to share his story with us.

He was on the The Apprentice in Summer 2013. He didn’t win and wasn’t the runner up but seemed to have survived for weeks before being fired. Who knows where he’s ended up now? – still raising eyebrows no doubt.

Looks like the Trading Standards department gave him a weak reprimand under the Enterprise Act instead of charging him with taking money under false pretences, breach of contract, fraudulent trading, etc.

Banging them up in a cell at our expense is not the answer for slippery eels like that – they should be made to repay their debt to society in a meaningful way. Maybe a few weeks in clink to learn a lesson the hard way but then some punishment.

Must have been a static caravan?
I wonder why Which? ran Jim’s tale of woe if they didn’t expect “sound advice”?

He’s now selling insurance – for bikes.

Then he could start again with a clean slate.

Ian – This looks like another one of your ‘unhinged threads’.

My references to Alex Mills [the dodgy slate sign seller] could be misconstrued as applying to Jim Morris, the thwarted caravan purchaser. No such aspersions were intended and I apologise if my comments have given that impression. It’s all to do with the non-consequential order of the replies.

My police run an email alert service where they not only report crimes and convictions in the area but also pass on information about current scams, how they are attempted to be perpetrated and precautions to take. I don’t know what other forces do this but it is a very useful service. Easy to forward on to family and friends – which we do. The latest one concerns “Money Mules” – essentially inadvertently (or otherwise) helping to money launder.

My local Trading Standards publish a weekly newsletter including things to watch out for. Normally I know about more scams than they seem too 🙁

These email services don’t help many elderly who don’t have access to the internet or even use smart phones/tablets. My approach is aimed at covering that. As I bet alot will watch TV.

william, I do know many people – not only the elderly – do not have access to the internet. I was pointing out a useful service to those many that do have access. That service is another weapon in the armoury, not to the detriment of others. I am sure other suggestions will add to the spreading of information.