Garage Surcharge on top of initial quote

e30_1989

A new problem has arisen. The garage had given me the 4th completion date being the 13th June. I went on holiday this date returning yesterday and gave them contact details of my father to arrange delivery and the final payment.

I messaged to confirm it would have been that date and they confirmed. The 13th went by and heard nothing and I've since failed to make contact with them.

I'm unsure where this leaves me other than to contact the police.

A few alarming facts have arisen since engaging with them, they have no business on companies house. Their head office is not real. Kevin Woods does not come up on companies house either. I was asked to pay Kevin Woods via bank transfer for the work, so far half the cost has been paid, just over £900.

m0bov

I would have gone down there to see what's happening.

droopsnoot

e30_1989 wrote: »

A few alarming facts have arisen since engaging with them, they have no business on companies house. Their head office is not real. Kevin Woods does not come up on companies house either.

Wouldn't they only be on the Companies House register if they're either a limited company or a PLC? I don't think sole traders are listed on there, for example. For example a friend of mine has been in the motor trade for many decades doing repairs and restorations, and does not appear on Companies House because he's a sole trader.


Not sure what you mean when you say their head office "is not real" - false address, or address of someone else, who might be their accountant or lawyer?

ETA- I'm not trying to say you don't have cause for concern, just addressing those specific points. I don't think you ever said what size of business this was, whether they were limited or anything else.

e30_1989

I live 80 miles away, I can't just casually drop by. Their service was a collect and drop off service so I've never even seen the premises.

It's marketed as a company not a sole trader, there are at least 3 people I've previously had contact with, they also have multiple sites so assumably they have multiple employees. I was also told they work on fleet vehicles for various companies. I'm simply doubting the legitimacy of the above.

Is anyone able to give me advice on what I could do rather than just argue my points or list impractical options?

AdrianC

e30_1989 wrote: »

It's marketed as a company not a sole trader, there are at least 3 people I've previously had contact with, they also have multiple sites so assumably they have multiple employees. I was also told they work on fleet vehicles for various companies. I'm simply doubting the legitimacy of the above.

"Sole trader" is simply how the business is financially organised.

If they're a limited company, then everything is done by XYZ Ltd.
If they're a sole trader, then Mr X himself is the business - there's no separation between his personal and the business finances. He employs them, not the business. Stupid way to run a biggish business? Yes. But since when did that stop people?

Also - just because they trade as ABC Transmissions doesn't mean the company name is ABC Transmissions Ltd.

e30_1989

AdrianC wrote: »

"Sole trader" is simply how the business is financially organised.

If they're a limited company, then everything is done by XYZ Ltd.
If they're a sole trader, then Mr X himself is the business - there's no separation between his personal and the business finances. He employs them, not the business. Stupid way to run a biggish business? Yes. But since when did that stop people?

Also - just because they trade as ABC Transmissions doesn't mean the company name is ABC Transmissions Ltd.

So presumably you don't have any advice on how to go around getting my car back then..

AdrianC

e30_1989 wrote: »

So presumably you don't have any advice on how to go around getting my car back then..

I'm saying these are not necessarily "alarming facts", or even particularly relevant.

sheramber

The Transmission People

https://reconditionedgearboxes.com/contact-us/

No mention of limited company so there will not be an entry on Companies Register.

e30_1989

An update to this. I was conned. Kevin George Woods is a fraudster. No work was ever carried out, they have no premises. I never received back the near £1000 sum I sent him.

A third party was handed the car who I tracked down and instructed to work on the car and pay directly.

No initial check was carried out and no clutch instructed by Kevin to be installed.

I'm unlikely to ever return to this forum because, frankly, the people on here who were essentially telling me to just deal with the surcharge, terms, etc, are idiots. It was obvious the whole thing stank as soon as I gave them the keys, nobody gave any solid advice and just wanted to argue the toss on everything.

I came looking for assistance and all I got was salt.