What do I try next

JoE

I'm hoping someone can advise what to try next...
I took my bike (worth £750) into a local shop to be serviced back in August. It was supposed to be ready by 24th August but since then the shop has been closed and phones aren't answered.
They're not listed at companies house or the insolvency register, and so far I've tried consumer direct (told me to send a letter recorded delivery but that couldn't be delivered), trading standards (can't help me without an alternative address for the owner), and the legal cover on my insurance (they're still looking into it, but have warned me it's unlikely they can do anything without an address for the owner).

So, basically, I need to trace the shop owner. I have a name, Andy Powell, and the details of the shop, Overbury's Cycles, Ashley Road, Bristol. Any ideas where to go next???

Many thanks, JoE

bris

JoE wrote: »

I'm hoping someone can advise what to try next...
I took my bike (worth £750) into a local shop to be serviced back in August. It was supposed to be ready by 24th August but since then the shop has been closed and phones aren't answered.
They're not listed at companies house or the insolvency register, and so far I've tried consumer direct (told me to send a letter recorded delivery but that couldn't be delivered), trading standards (can't help me without an alternative address for the owner), and the legal cover on my insurance (they're still looking into it, but have warned me it's unlikely they can do anything without an address for the owner).

So, basically, I need to trace the shop owner. I have a name, Andy Powell, and the details of the shop, Overbury's Cycles, Ashley Road, Bristol. Any ideas where to go next???

Many thanks, JoE

A tracing agent could find them, there are tracing agents who charge about £40 for a no trace no fee service, this fee could be added to a small claims action if you go down that road.

wealdroam

What have trading standards now suggested, now that their first siggestion didn't work?

JoE

Forgot to say, I also tried the police but they said it's a civil matter.

Trading standards were next to useless, the woman couldn't get off the phone fast enough. They didn't even give me a contact number for if I do find his address.

Where would I find a tracing agent? Don't want to pick one randomly off the internet, and besides, the only ones I can find are over £100

BlueAngelCV

It seems like this may be him. Try contacting the Insolvency Practitioner?

JoE

Thanks BlueAngel, but it's not him. They said they've had quite a few enquiries about bikes though, so I'm not the only one looking.

Hintza

His mother's name is Enid Powell that might help tracking him down.

JoE

Thanks hintza. I've just tried all the e powells in the phone book, no answer from one so will try again later but the others are non starters. I'll keep looking.

scheming_gypsy

If you google for 'andy powell' cycles you get a mix of results for Overbury's and also Hargroves Cycles. Hargroves have a picture of 'Andy Powell' in action, he's got a helmet and glasses but you might recognise him.

JoE

tried that too, I wasn't 100% sure from the photo so I phoned them up - no connection.

F_T_Buyer

Maybe it's worth ringing Yell, as they registered his website:

http://www.dnsstuff.com/tools/whois/?tool_id=66&token=&toolhandler_redirect=0&ip=www.overburyscycles.co.uk%2F

The only other suggestion is try to find out who owns that building, and who they let it to (a company or sole trader?), if a company check companies house. If a sole trader, try to find where he lives.