WARNING Utopia Office Ltd consortium - cheap Dyson DC31 Animal - or not!

Edwinabell

after lots of calls and threats, and an odd promise and apology from Ensinger I am still awaiting the promised refund. Today I have started a claim using the small claims procedure. I just hope I haven't thrown away yet more of my money!

robmar0se

WSM2011 wrote: »

I contacted Suffolk Trading Standards for guidance (where Utopia are based). I was told on the telephone that they are currently "monitoring the company". Apparently (how lame is this) the problems are caused by excessive orders and too few staff!!

The tone of the blog has changed, probably because Utopia is no longer trying to kid folks that they are genuine. Recently we are only seeing unfortunate buyers who have paid and not received their orders. Even one case of a bounced cheque. Newbies reporting goods received have not been on the blog for some time.

The comment from Trading Standards is not good enough. This is fraud - Utopia is deceiving the public; (i) they have been offerring a credit card transaction without the means to fulfil the offer (for over 7 months now at least), (ii) they state in their replies to those that order, that goods are in stiock, which is a blatant lie. Hence as in the case of the Lapland fiasco, Ensinger and co should be charged with deception.

Please when speaking to Trading Standards insist they they take this more seriously, point out their deceptions, bounced cheques, unfulilled orders now in many cases 3 moths old or longer.

We need to get Trading Standards to move more quickly, they are renouned for being slow off the mark, unless the media gets involved.

Tyke4885

I have just read the preceeding post by "robmar0se" and couldn't agree more.

I have been in touch with Suffolk Trading Standards and had pretty much the same response as other people who have posted on this forum. I have informed them, that in my view, this scam has gone on for such a period of time that it clearly demonstrates criminal intent and is not simply a poorly organised and poorly managed company struggling to meet its orders. I find it incredulous that trading standards don't adopt a more proactive and positive stance. Apparently they have given him advice on how to correct his business practices!!!! Now they must allow him sufficient time to put things in order.
Surely they should be taking action that prevents other unsuspecting customers becoming victims and further steps to secure refunds for those who have been duped already. I have asked Trading Standards to provide me with details of what enquiries they have carried out to satisfy themselves that this is a bona fide business ie: have they inspected a warehouse; have they seen any stock; have thet approached Dyson to see if he has ever ordered any stock etc etc. So far they have not responded. Mr Ensinger or whoever he is, must be laughing all the way to the bank.

I would encourage anyone who has become a victim of this scam to keep pursuing trading standards until they are compelled to act in a firm and positive manner. If you are not satisfied, report the matter to your MP. If you remain silent and passive, nothing will happen. Don't let them get away with it.
I beleive that these matters should be referred to the police for prosecution as there is blatent evidence of a criminal deception. The action (or inaction) taken so far, indicates an inept attitude at best or a dereliction of responsibility at worst.

Make your voice heard!!!
Contact Suffolk Trading Standards now.

Astra1

Iwantitnow wrote: »

I have been in the same boat as you all since 3 December.

I have been watching this forum ever since, and am following the advice given. There could be hundreds of us.

How does John Anthony sleep at night? I expect he sleeps all day (switching off the phone and locking the doors) and counts his money all night.

Would like to know if anyone recently has received their Dyson or a refund cheque which has not bounced.

Further to my post #373 and to answer your query about refund cheques clearing, I can confirm my cheque surprisingly cleared. The cheque had the same account number that I had originally transferred the money into. As I stated in the earlier post I had informed them I would call in to collect the refund, when they knew this my refund cheque could not have hit my doormat any quicker.
Unlike many others I believe I have been very lucky. Certainly don't let it drop as one post suggests. It's unbelievable that action has not been taken against Utopia given the amount of complaints that must have been made over the amount of time this has been going on.

Iwantitnow_2

Thank you Astra1 for your encouragement.

My husband today took a call from Trading Standards who took all the details and said they were 'investigating' the company.

I forgot to say that Utopia are still advertising Dysons as 'New and in stock' at the same price we paid, and still have their flashy website.

They must be paying Google to appear at or near the top of the list when searching for 'Dyson DC25 Animal', and must be raking in thousands of pounds.

They are also still advertising for staff and salesmen for the non existent warehouse.

roman42

I'm fed up being a victim. Yesterday I reported this man to the police and today I have submitted my story to Watchdog. I've totally had it with him.:mad::mad:

Iwantmydyson

Roman - if you get a contact with Watchdog let me know by pm - or better still flag it up on the forum

irelasus

This is my first post but please do not dismiss me as a fake because of this as I would like to share my experience with others.
I too ordered a Dyson DC31 from this company on 16th December 2010. Got the usual story and stupidly sent a cheque for £105.99 which was cashed at the end of December.
After becoming concerned that I had not heard from the company, I did some investigation and stumbled across this site. I felt pretty stupid for falling for such a scam but also angry that I had been conned.
I read all the advise on this site and decided to bombard John Ensinger daily with both emails and phone calls. Although the landline is always out of action, he does actually use both of the mobile numbers posted on this site. If he does not answer them he usually gets back to you if you leave a message. My husband thought he sounded OK and has just overstretched his companies capability. I was not so convinced and expected to see neither a refund nor the goods.
However on Friday 4th Feb 2011, after yet more threats from us to go to the police, he agreed to refund our money as he could not deliver the goods within an acceptable timescale.
On Monday the 7th Feb I received an email to say that my Dyson would be delivered on the 9th Feb. Nothing arrived and I emailed again. To my surprise, A DC31 arrived on the 10th Feb 2011. It was brand new and exactly what I ordered.
My best advise would be to continually bombard him. It seems a sad state of affairs but it seems the more you hassle, the more likely you are to get your goods. I must stress that we were never rude to him, nor yet he to us. However, I hate the idea that he is getting away with such a poor service and want to encourage others not to give up or I am sure they will lose their money.

loztiggy

So you saw that there were others being scammed in december, but still waited until now to join and say it all was recitfied at the beginning of february..... rightyo


FOR THOSE OF YOU JUST NEW TO THIS TOPIC AVOID UTOPIA

clawlessdragon

Hi, just thought I'd provide an update as my situation has changed. (see my previous posts)... for those who do not want to look back through the posts.
I placed an order 5th Dec... {cut the long story of multiple calls, e-mails etc}.
I followed the advise of others on this forum - I logged my case with Consumerdirect, at the start of Jan. They advised the letter to write and send by recorded. By Feb, no response so again I went back to them, who advised to send a second letter of final notice - this I did, with 2 weeks to refund my money. Whilst waiting for a reply I would call both office & mobile every few days but never get an answer.
Last week - was the deadline I gave one last call on the mobile before I was to start court proceedings. I was shocked it was answered - I was expecting the usual fob off excuse and no call back, but he (I guess it is Anthony) said he would look into my order, and refund my money, he would call me back at work to confirm it was done, and he would do it by bank transfeer, not cheque. Of course I did not beleive this, but he did call back, and that night I got an e-mail, with a PDF confirmation of the money transfeer..... which would take up to 4 days to clear. Only last night I saw my £214 refunded direct into my account.
So, my story ends well, if after a long 3 months. I just wanted to conclude and give hope to those still trying to get their money back...
Log your case with consumerdirect, send a recorded delivery letter giving formal cancellation, keep trying the mobile.. it is answered (sometimes).