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Terrible day - car stolen by car washer and trashed

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Old 07 November 2008, 05:45 PM
  #91  
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Originally Posted by lorrainecallison
However I will continue with my philosophy that it is better to believe the best of people not the worst, and if one of those guys came into my surgery ill or injured then I would still give him the same care that I would give anyone else.
We all make mistakes - in truth that's how most of us learn so don't take the 'stupid' jibes to heart.

However, I doubt many of us on here me included have such a commendable outlook on life - your comments above demonstrate a level of compassion and forgiveness that is sadly missed in our country nowadays.

Hope everything gets sorted - I am sure it will.
Old 07 November 2008, 07:46 PM
  #92  
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Originally Posted by lorrainecallison
apparently he was planning to go back to Mauritius tomorrow, so has been remanded in custody instead.......poor soul
I hope he forgot to take some Vasoline with him to Prison

Tony
Old 07 November 2008, 08:36 PM
  #93  
nsld
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"Hand car wash at BP garage Waltham Abbey "


So BP are subletting the space then (or there franchisee)? could be worth looking at going after the garage itself and there liability insurance.

Additionally, a quite word to the garage manager that conspiracy to commit VAT fraud will not make for a good day out if he is taking cash to let them use the forecourt.

Lay it on thick enough and he will believe he will end up sharing the cell with the car wash guy and his new best friend Big Dave!
Old 07 November 2008, 09:29 PM
  #94  
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That last post is the most useful one so far!
I'd say the owner of the premises is the one to have a go at. He would be liable for allowing the use of etc, on the basis that any right thinking person would assume that people using his premises would be properly insured.
One of my customers had a supercharged Lotus Exige written off by a young prat from a valeters who had no business driving it. He had a hell of a job getting his money back, but eventually successfully sued the owner of the valeters. We gave him as much back up as we could with regards to value, as the solicitors for the other side were only interested in saving money, not recompensing the guy properly for his loss.
Lorraine, get good legal advice pronto!
Old 07 November 2008, 09:35 PM
  #95  
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I saw my buddies on Tuesday night and Tom had just been on his hols.... and on his return his M3 was in a police lock-up with all four wheels pointing in different directions ! Apparently an incident whilst being "transferred" between secure car parks.....

no - LOL

DunxC

P.S. Sorry for your loss, and the aggravation, LC.
Old 07 November 2008, 09:45 PM
  #96  
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I just did a little bit more thinking on this.

Firstly, BP themselves would probably not allow there own premises to be sublet for uninsured activities (hell of a liability if car wash bod torches the garage!) and also, its almost definitely going to be written into any franchise or lease agreement that public liability insurance is going to be needed (and its a legal requirement for business activity) for any activity carried out by the franchisee of the site.

If the franchisee is allowing illegal activity on the premises they could easily lose the franchise, plus there are all the VAT, employment and other laws that are being broken as well.

If there is no evidence of a legal subletting then the activity has taken place on the premises of the business in question and that garage will have liability insurance.

You need a lawyer, and you need to push hard (dont try to see the nice side in these people!) if you want to get this resolved.

Also, dont let the plod NFA the case, sit on them and make them prosecute the scumbag. In addition, if he is from Mauritius does he have a work visa? If not then BP wont like to be thought of as using illegals to do slave labour, its not good for the brand.
Old 07 November 2008, 10:02 PM
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Originally Posted by T5NYW
I hope he forgot to take some Vasoline with him to Prison

Tony
did u mean 'Vaseline'???
Old 07 November 2008, 10:33 PM
  #98  
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Not sure the "BP" thing would work.....my mate owns a BP garage and all he does is buy petrol from them and allows them to advertise on his forecourt.

Vicarious liability is difficult to prove as the garage owner does not have to provide credentials for who works on the plot.

worth a try though

Shaun

PS

My Mate used to have a "shell" garage with Optimax / V power but he converted to BP as Shell were being a pain LOL
Old 07 November 2008, 10:44 PM
  #99  
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Originally Posted by nsld
I just did a little bit more thinking on this.

Firstly, BP themselves would probably not allow there own premises to be sublet for uninsured activities (hell of a liability if car wash bod torches the garage!) and also, its almost definitely going to be written into any franchise or lease agreement that public liability insurance is going to be needed (and its a legal requirement for business activity) for any activity carried out by the franchisee of the site.

If the franchisee is allowing illegal activity on the premises they could easily lose the franchise, plus there are all the VAT, employment and other laws that are being broken as well.

If there is no evidence of a legal subletting then the activity has taken place on the premises of the business in question and that garage will have liability insurance.

You need a lawyer, and you need to push hard (dont try to see the nice side in these people!) if you want to get this resolved.

Also, dont let the plod NFA the case, sit on them and make them prosecute the scumbag. In addition, if he is from Mauritius does he have a work visa? If not then BP wont like to be thought of as using illegals to do slave labour, its not good for the brand.
The situation is this apparently: I found out today that the whole forecourt including the site of the BP petrol station and the car wash set up is owned by a guy who runs the garage and MOT + service centre which is located just behind BP; so the owner of the car wash rents from him. This owner is in India at the moment and I have spoken to his wife who knows nothing about insurance and cannot get hold of her husband. Apparently he is due back on Monday so I will hopefully get to speak to him then - if that draws a blank, I don't know if there could be any redress against the owner of the whole premises.

Have spoken to solicitor (Milamber on here) and will probably do so again next week, depending on what happens........

Don't know what the poice are doing at the moment; have left a message with the officer concerned and hope he will get back to me later.

The other thing is, when my daughter went to school the day after, one of the kids in her year was showing everyone photos of my trashed car on his phone; when she asked him how he got them, it turns out he works at the car wash at weekends and said one of his friends from there had sent them - WTF? Sounds like they all thought it was hilarious..........time for me to toughen up methinks!
Old 07 November 2008, 11:18 PM
  #100  
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Here's the damage - one of the aforementioned pictures circulating at my duaghter's school


Old 07 November 2008, 11:30 PM
  #101  
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^^^^^^

thats a terrible sight ..the poor scooby
Old 07 November 2008, 11:38 PM
  #102  
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at least it looks clean.......

i remember the car that Alan was talking about, it was in the papers.

Im really gutted for you bud and if it was my car i would be going mentle to say the least.
surly if the chap does not have insurance then the bloke who rents it to him would be liable in some way or another. local press would hit there pockets quite well too.
Old 07 November 2008, 11:46 PM
  #103  
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Originally Posted by lorrainecallison
Here's the damage - one of the aforementioned pictures circulating at my duaghter's school


Thats wrecked! gutted for you.
Old 08 November 2008, 12:03 AM
  #104  
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Call me old fashioned but I'd have the owner of the car wash by his throat and his bollocks until he paid up. Failing that, I'd pay him a visit everyday, each more menacing than the last.

Hope you get it sorted.
Old 08 November 2008, 12:13 AM
  #105  
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Sadly Daz that's not today's way

OP has to claim on her insurance and the crim fades away

Shaun
Old 08 November 2008, 09:20 AM
  #106  
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"Apparently he is due back on Monday so I will hopefully get to speak to him then - if that draws a blank, I don't know if there could be any redress against the owner of the whole premises."

I would bet the carwash pays him cash rent with no lease, therefore, with no lease as a sublet and no real evidence the car wash is a separate business with separate accounts etc its all part of his show.

I would go in hard, especially as revenue and customs are one unit, if it does turn out that it was a cash paid set up then the owner is severely in the doo doo just with VAT fraud and thats before you get onto employment etc etc
Old 08 November 2008, 10:46 AM
  #107  
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i would be suprised if the VAT people do anything, when they were hassling me (why do the hassle the people who pay??) i mentioned that 2 local handwashes were close by "within 2 miles" and they asked me if i thought they were paying the correct monies, i mentioned that i thought they should maybe drive past the sites on the way back, and have a look at the redneck wooden stakes that were hammered into the grass with a hand painted arrow showing the public where to go, before making up minds.

they asked me if i thought they looked professional

to which i laughed, anyway he told me that they had the power to shut them down asap if it looked dodgy, and told me they would give them a visit on the way back, left my site, turned the other way and drove back to newcastle without even paying them a visit

i know one of the places is paying the lads £30 a day cash in hand


they are ****en usless IMO
Old 08 November 2008, 10:46 AM
  #108  
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Really awful to see the pictures of your car. Gutted for you.

Don't let the idiots on here get you down re comments about being stupid - you're not. Nothing wrong with taking your car to a car wash and trusting the people who work there - especially if you've been there before and are familiar with them. Besides, given that you mentioned being a nurse, I'm sure you work long and demanding hours and it's no wonder (and certainly no crime) to decide to have your car washed rather than doing it yourself!!

Also being female has nothing to do with it - your just a Scooby owner who some prat has devastated by wrecking your car! And for the guy who said don't let your wife out in it, my Scooby is driven mostly by me and I very rarely get any problems when I drive it ..... my hubby on the other hand is not bothered about driving it because of the hassle he gets from boy racers wanting to challenge him to race all the time.

In so far as your problems with insurance, instruct a solicitor immediately! Don't speak to people informally, you need to make this official now. The police will almost certainly charge him with aggravated vehicle taking and if you haven't yet made a formal statement go to the station where the OIC is based and refuse to leave until he or another takes your statement.

If you do need to run things past anyone, I'm a barrister feel free to PM me. Good luck!
Old 08 November 2008, 11:03 AM
  #109  
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Originally Posted by chocolate_o_brian
Not when you have a cable one

(benefits of an 80's car)
One 10mm spanner bye bye speedo cable, 5 minute easy job on a pug.
Old 08 November 2008, 11:24 AM
  #110  
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Originally Posted by lorrainecallison
Here's the damage - one of the aforementioned pictures circulating at my duaghter's school


That is a write-off. Accept nothing less from the insurance. Do not aggree to have it repaired.
If you start a fund to pay for someone to "have a word with him" after the Bill have let him off, let us know?

JohnD
Old 08 November 2008, 12:59 PM
  #111  
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Originally Posted by Underworld
did u mean 'Vaseline'???
Ooooops I did, my keyboard spells worse than me


Lorrainne that Scoob looks like Total a loss which in the circumstances would be the best outcome for you than owning a repaired car

Tony
Old 08 November 2008, 05:30 PM
  #112  
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Originally Posted by hux309
One 10mm spanner bye bye speedo cable, 5 minute easy job on a pug.
Old 08 November 2008, 06:00 PM
  #113  
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feel for you thats so wrong just saw this on jap mids.
i can nigh on tell you the outcome of getting hold of the owner. he,ll tell you its someone elses....
i work for a water company and when a lot of these places get a bill it never gets paid they just change over owners so you cant even shut it off
as the new owner doesnt owe the money. good luck getting sorted ive got my fingers crossed for you but the scammers know every trick in the book
Old 08 November 2008, 06:09 PM
  #114  
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Originally Posted by chocolate_o_brian
Ooooooooo, I'm gettin outa this one. Thats gonna cost you 2 points mate
as in bullsye "innn one"


thats a mess ,i often see cars at the nearest polish car wash left while the owners go on there merry ways and some nice cars too .
i wanted my wheels sprayed black but the place that did it wanted the car for half a day so i bottled it
Old 08 November 2008, 08:15 PM
  #115  
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I'd be tempted to have the little tw*t and his boss sent to A&E pronto. I hate this kind of thing... hard working people get fuc*ed over by imigrants who have no respect for us or our country.

Lorrain, i hope this all turns out good for you love.

Oh and BTW, Superstar1..... I hope you get a dose!


Shot8
Old 09 November 2008, 12:34 AM
  #116  
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Originally Posted by dunx
I saw my buddies on Tuesday night and Tom had just been on his hols.... and on his return his M3 was in a police lock-up with all four wheels pointing in different directions ! Apparently an incident whilst being "transferred" between secure car parks.....

no - LOL

DunxC

P.S. Sorry for your loss, and the aggravation, LC.
Is there no one we can trust with our pride and joys, to the op hope you get it all sorted
Old 09 November 2008, 12:54 AM
  #117  
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Originally Posted by ritchie21
Really awful to see the pictures of your car. Gutted for you.

Don't let the idiots on here get you down re comments about being stupid - you're not. Nothing wrong with taking your car to a car wash and trusting the people who work there - especially if you've been there before and are familiar with them. Besides, given that you mentioned being a nurse, I'm sure you work long and demanding hours and it's no wonder (and certainly no crime) to decide to have your car washed rather than doing it yourself!!

Also being female has nothing to do with it - your just a Scooby owner who some prat has devastated by wrecking your car! And for the guy who said don't let your wife out in it, my Scooby is driven mostly by me and I very rarely get any problems when I drive it ..... my hubby on the other hand is not bothered about driving it because of the hassle he gets from boy racers wanting to challenge him to race all the time.

In so far as your problems with insurance, instruct a solicitor immediately! Don't speak to people informally, you need to make this official now. The police will almost certainly charge him with aggravated vehicle taking and if you haven't yet made a formal statement go to the station where the OIC is based and refuse to leave until he or another takes your statement.

If you do need to run things past anyone, I'm a barrister feel free to PM me. Good luck!
Thanks so much for your helpful comments
I made a statement on the day it happened; they wanted me to do that before they interviewed him and I believe the officer who did the interviewing is on duty tomorrow so will hopefully speak to him and find out what he is being charged with..........
As for the insurance aspect, I hope to find out a bit more about that next week - I feel really uncomfortable with the thought of any legal action as I think the guy who owns the land is halfway decent..........but we all know my judgement is sh**
Also I saw the car today when I went to collect some personal bits out of it - it is worse than it looks in the picture, that was taken from its good side, really looks terrible. The kids are kind of in mourning; I haven't seen them so upset since someone died.
Thanks again
Old 09 November 2008, 12:57 AM
  #118  
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Originally Posted by oadamo
iam sorry but you give your keys to a paki you might aswell lie on the floor and let me stamp on your *****.
adam
Well thank you for that helpful comment
Old 09 November 2008, 09:50 AM
  #119  
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Ive just been spending the last 30min reading this thread.

I am so sorry to hear about what has happened.
Ive been though some thing similar so have a small idea on what your going though.

Its hart breaking to read things like this.

Until our soft government stop people like them coming over here cos we are a soft touch then there will be more and more places like this.



I hope that the lad who caused all of this gets what he deserves but knowing our country he wont.

I dont know you but hope you get it sorted with the least stress possible and not left out of pocket.


Andy.
Old 09 November 2008, 10:47 AM
  #120  
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I really hope you get this all sorted as soon as possible. And that's a really sad picture.

I'm in the habit of photographing the speedo each time I have to leave the car somewhere. Gives me some idea if it's been moved too much.


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