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

Ash860

Add me to the list of disgruntled purchasers. I ordered on 7 December 2010 and the order no was 0-1370. I've spoken several times with Suffolk Trading Stnds. I'm still awaiting my refund. I'm surprised that the VAT man isn't taking an interest - unless of course Ensinger is faithfully paying his VAT.... 17.5% of my £85 was described as being VAT. Happy to join in with a multiple claim in the small claims court, but I'm cautious about throwing good money after bad with my own claim. When are Suffolk TS going to accept that the man is a crook? The sooner the Police get involved the better and in that respect I'm a more than willing witness!

iwantmydyson2

I have just been on Suffolk Trading Standards website and no change to their last update which was now some weeks ago. Having talked to two of their operatives recently, it is quite clear that they are frustrated with us pestering them and want us to shut up. If indeed they are in regular contact with him, then why aren't we being informed of developments or lack of? At some stage either they or the police have to decide that this guy's actions are fraudulent and turn this into a criminal investigation. Should we, on this forum, who are all victims of this scam, not collectively persue this?

robmar0se

iwantmydyson2 wrote: »

I have just been on Suffolk Trading Standards website and no change to their last update which was now some weeks ago. Having talked to two of their operatives recently, it is quite clear that they are frustrated with us pestering them and want us to shut up. If indeed they are in regular contact with him, then why aren't we being informed of developments or lack of? At some stage either they or the police have to decide that this guy's actions are fraudulent and turn this into a criminal investigation. Should we, on this forum, who are all victims of this scam, not collectively persue this?

If your interpretation of STS views are correct than I suggest that they are forgetting they are public servants, we pay their salaries. There is a general feeling that Trading Standards are tied up in red tape and can't see the wood for the trees. Acoording the STS they have been involved since the beginning of the year, it took them then 2 months to stop Utopia trading - not exactly dynamic. Its now 2 months since this event, and we are not exactly any further forward!

It is now well over three weeks since they updated their website. Since they are not telling us simple things like a timetable for next steps eg plan to identify where the money has gone, sequestering their computer records/hard drives where the process is, etc. One can only assume that STS are either embroiled in red tape, or are more concerned about the rights of the accused than those of those ripped-off, or both.

As an example of another case where it took TS approx 2 years to close another mail order scam - Computerwebstore (check that out on the net). If you feel strongly I suggest that you also write to your MP and suggest that with the increase in mail order/internet shopping, the whole aspect of long distance selling and TS needs to be overhauled - current legislation is based on using phone/mail and is inappropriate for the modern age of the internet.

Keep calling STS, and write to your MP - I will.

Iwantitnow_2

There is a new message today from Suffolk Trading Standards to placate us.

I have informed Dyson so they know of their loss of orders and will also inform VAT and HMRC.

Now ankle deep in fluff and dust thanks to our mutual friend!

iwantmydyson2

Although we have been working to try and negotiate refunds it must be stressed that any criminal prosecution is unlikely to result in the return of individual debts owed by Utopia as this is a civil issue.

This is their update? Can anyone explain how this is a civil issue when he has manifestly obtained funds by deception?

Tyke4885

iwantmydyson2 wrote: »

This is their update? Can anyone explain how this is a civil issue when he has manifestly obtained funds by deception?

Absolutely!!!!

To decribe this as a purely "civil" matter defies belief.
From the outset, I have pressed this issue with Suffolk TS and they have never adequately explained their position and pointed out WHY, in their view it is a civil matter. I agree that he has been clever. He has delivered a small number of vacuum cleaners to a small number of customers. I believe, that is part of his method of operating. He has done that in order to "cover his tracks" and make prosecution more difficult because it will make proving his intent to decieve more difficult.

However, it doesn't make prosecution impossible and if this is not even investigated by the statutory authorities then surely that amounts to a dereliction of their responsibilities. The mere fact that this went on for so long, and the fact that the "bait" (the dishonest email enticing people to transfer money directly), was left dangling for a protracted period of time, is a clear indication that this operation was a calculated criminal scam.

It is not sufficient that Suffolk TS to hide behind the cloak of "confidentiality". They are not adequately explaining their actions (or inaction) and now appear to standing aside. What investigations did they actually conduct? I asked whether they had actually seen any stock. Was there a warehouse operation capable of handling this size of operation? Did they enquire with Dyson whether this company had a relationship with them, and if so what levels of supply had been agreed and at what price? If the vaccums were alledgedly being sourced at wholesale warehouses, what enquiries had been made with those suppliers?

All basic stuff, but apparently, enquiries which were not carried out, or not carried out at an early enough stage. Had these matters been addressed properly, then he could have been stopped much earlier and many more people would have been saved the stress of becoming yet another victim.

So on the face of it, Suffolk TS is either a very toothless tiger or has demonstrated a level of ineptitude which is not acceptable.

I would strongly urge all contributors to this forum to write to your local MP who may then be able to initiate some co-ordinated enquiry into this fiasco and online shopping legislation in general. Perhaps you would like to make your communications to them public on this forum. In that way we would all have a means of identifying the MPs concerned and the content of your complaints?

Just an idea.

Whatever you do, don't give up and don't let this guy get away with your cash! GOOD LUCK

vikingaero

Suffolk Trading Standards slogan is "A Rogue Free Zone".

You may be interested in reading their "Service Plan":

http://www.suffolk.gov.uk/NR/rdonlyres/D9BDC5EB-FABA-44DF-AB72-81A3B24CDB8E/0/FINALSERVICEPLAN20102012.pdf

Seems that their inaction are at odds with their "Service Plan" that some retard got paid lot to write so that they could ignore it.

All you with valid complaints are at liberty to make a formal complaint about Suffolk Trading Standards.

Tyke4885

vikingaero wrote: »

Suffolk Trading Standards slogan is "A Rogue Free Zone".

You may be interested in reading their "Service Plan":



Seems that their inaction are at odds with their "Service Plan" that some retard got paid lot to write so that they could ignore it.

All you with valid complaints are at liberty to make a formal complaint about Suffolk Trading Standards.

Just read the service plan. It would be hilarious if I wasn't so angry. What a load of tosh!

I wonder how long it took to come up with that and how much it cost the ratepayers of Suffolk?

nodysonnocry

Tyke4885 wrote: »

Just read the service plan. It would be hilarious if I wasn't so angry. What a load of tosh!

I wonder how long it took to come up with that and how much it cost the ratepayers of Suffolk?

I wont bore you with details of how my wife was scammed but followed most peoples actions short of small claims. Has anyone got this guys mobile number so I can pester him, the address of the cottage and has anyone had a reply from watchdog yet? If not I will take it up with them as trading standards and police are, as ever, toothless and useless!

jblackmore

loztiggy wrote: »

wonder how the OP got on then..... he hasnt been back on singing the praises of utopia

Blimey, just noticed this thread - seems this was a real scoop !!

In answer to loztiggy - I ran a mile from the 'bank transfer' request - I looked on ebay, and saw that 'dyson outlet' sell factory reconditioned DC31 for £83.99 delivered - so I ordered that which arrived two days later all perfect in plain brown box as described.

We've used it a fair bit, the battery life isn't brilliant, but the hoover/suction is excellent, its great for quick tidy ups round the house and car - I'm very pleased with it, so would buy another one (from dyson-outlet on ebay !!

Just noticed the suffolk trading standards farce - it seems to me the only purpose of trading standards departments is to fob people off - unless your a TV company making a rogue traders type program, in which case they will happily fax you a list of all the con artists in their area !!