Roni Hand Car Wash - Gave my car away

benhogan_2

Hi People,

I am looking for some help and have no idea where to turn?

Friday 7th Jan 2011 I left my home in Bedford to have a meeting in Milton Keynes, after my meeting I drove to the large indoor snow dome (Xscape) in the parking area they have a Ltd company thats been going for around 7 years called "Roni Hand Car Wash" a very well known firm in Bedford and Milton Keynes. I handed my car over for a full valet as they offer upto 3 hours parking why they do the car for you.

I left my keys with the manager as most people do so they can move the car from the wet area to the dry area to clean inside the car.

I returned 50 minutes later to be told they had given my car to my "son" well I dont have a son so you can imagine my thoughts and worry at the time! (I only purchased the car on Dec 6th)

It turns out someone walked utp to the manager asked if his "dads" car is ready yet and paid the money and took it!

I started a new job the following Monday in London so was forced to hire a car (still doing this now) so I could get to work.

The MD of the company turned up in his 30k Merc and we spoke and drove to police station to give statements and he kindly drove me back home.

I spoke with the MD on a number of occasions about the situtation and was told as soon as "he is happy with the situtation he will pay"

Well its been a week now and I have spent a lot of money with hire cars, lock changes, insurance excess both car and home, and time off at my new job not to mention the stress this has caused me.

I created some documents which had the 3 lists Car Insurance, Home Insurance and Non Insured. I sent these lists to all 3 parties so everyone was clear who I was claiming what from.

The non insured items I am looking to claim from the company was things like the car hire, deposit on a replacement car, insurance excess fees, etc...

After a week of the MD trying to take the law into his own hands and working on his time I spoke with him to be told he now is going to pay and I will need to take legal action. I quote:

"I pay nothing now so take me to court I dont care if it costs me 60k pounds"

My car insurance has agreed to pay some of the money for the car which has gone direct to the finance company to pay that off so I am now left without a car, no deposit to purchase a new one, a hire car bill of near £600 so far. No to mention the insurance preimum that doubles!


The company is Ltd company and I have checked the finance for the past few years and the company seems to be doing OK so I dont think its an issue with cashflow.


I have upto 50k pounds of legal fees I can claim on my insurance and feel thats the route I now have to take but wondered what you people thought about this situation as I am now worried I am going to lose my job as I wont be able to get to work after this weekend.

So due to the Negligence of this company and its poor process (which has not changed still as I took pictures this weekend and the same process was in place) I am having to go through this painful time.

Any help from a very stressed Mr Ben Hogan

aheaton46

Sounds like you need to speak to a solicitor.

vuvuzela

That is an awful situation and you should definitely take advantage of the legal fees you have access to. Might though have been better if you posted without using your real name.

Oopsadaisy

Messy, and a sure fire earner for the solicitors.

Be prepared for a long, long, long wait and then some sort of compromise deal that will leave you feeling bitter, annoyed and frustrated....and will leave the legal profession [on both sides] very happy.

benhogan_2

Thanks all, looks like a long long wait for me and perhaps I will lose my job also as I wont be able to get to work - Not sure why I should of used a different name Vuvuzela?

vuvuzela

benhogan wrote: »

Thanks all, looks like a long long wait for me and perhaps I will lose my job also as I wont be able to get to work - Not sure why I should of used a different name Vuvuzela?

It's just a privacy thing. You might not want people reading it to know exactly who you are, however you've given them your name and the town where you live.

jackieb

Would it be worth going to your local paper?

fthl

see a lawyer. also have a read of this:
http://www.nadr.co.uk/articles/published/CLR/Southhampton%20v%20Lotus%202000.pdf
Similar in some respects to your problem.

Lottie-B

Good Grief Benhogan, what an awful thing...I have left my car at one of these places and I never gave it a second thought that someone might be lurking ready to nick my car. Having said that, I think my old (but reliable) blue corsa is relatively safe from prowlers.

Is there any form of CCTV where the car washing was done?

I agree you need to speak to a solicitor. I certainly hope Mr Merc reviews his procedures after this incident - and yes, I think it might be worth going to the local media.

benhogan_2

Yeah I have gone to papers, this will be in for this weekend so perhaps that will give more information - My car was parked next to a nice new Merc which they did not take which was odd. Perhaps they thuoght a 2008 Passat would be easier to find some plates for?

All CCTV footage so far has not been much help to be honest, police will come back to me if they find anything. My hope is that once its in the paper someone may of had some number plates stolen on a passat but not reported it and then it might give us a bit more information. Fingers Crossed as I am truly stuck at the moment :-(

maninthestreet

Personally, I would avoid any car wash that requires me to leave the keys with them.