Car purchase couple taken for a ride
EXTRAORDINARY goingson led to a used-car dealer hanging on to a customer’s £515 deposit despite no car sale taking place. In a trade pitifully lacking in good customer service the dispute between M B Brent Park Ltd in north London and Bryn and Jennifer Crockett plumbed new depths.
The couple came to Crusader recently as a last resort after falling victim to some very questionable behaviour by the company.
This began last November when they searched for deals on website cargurus.co.uk and found a £5,000plus Nissan Qashqai model being sold by the motor trader.
After visiting and looking it over they called the next day and secured the vehicle, paying the deposit with Jennifer’s Barclaycard. They were also given the company’s bank account number and sort code.
Shortly after they rang again to let the dealer know they would settle the outstanding balance by bank transfer. “A man who gave his name as Tony told me to do it with a different account number and sort code,” says Bryn. “We thought it was part of Brent Park.”
But events took a dramatic turn when the Crocketts went to their branch of Barclays to arrange the payment.
“Suddenly we were asked to go to the manager’s office. She told us the transfer was not to the company but
TAKE CARE TO AVOID LOSING DEPOSIT
Deposits are not automatically refundable when a purchase does not go ahead. it is always vital for buyers to check the terms of a contract ahead of any payment as well as the trustworthiness of the seller.
one question that came up in relation to the Crocketts’ case was whether paying by credit card gave them any protection when the transaction fell through.
But this was an exceptional case and they didn’t have a contract or any terms stating what would happen if they pulled out. Various industry bodies offer advice on buying big-ticket items like cars, such as getsafeonline. org/shopping-banking/buying-selling-vehicles/ a private individual’s account,” says Bryn. “She refused to do it, she explained, because by putting the money in that account it became a private transaction and we would lose all our consumer rights.
“We would have had no comeback if there were problems and in the worst-case scenario if there wasn’t any car to pick up.”
After sharing her concerns the manager called M B Brent Park and spoke at length, adds Bryn.
“We were very shaken up by this time but thanks to Barclays we have had a very lucky escape from much worse.
“We decided we didn’t want to go ahead with the purchase. We never learnt why we were directed to that private account.
“Our request for a refund was not signed a refused and we had contract.”
Crusader contacted M B Brent Park and its director Hussain Ashmere both by email and recorded delivery letter. We asked him to explain the account switch and why the company would redirect and put at risk the money of customers who had shown it nothing but good faith. We have had no response.
But there was a far more positive reaction from Barclaycard which refunded the couple’s £515. “Having reviewed the specific circumstances of this case, we have decided to refund the deposit to the Crocketts as a gesture of goodwill,” it confirmed in a statement.
But it also pointed out that Bryn and Jennifer had not received any contract, something they should have obtained.
It advised: “We would, however, remind all consumers to obtain and fully understand the terms and conditions when making a purchase to ensure they are crystal clear about their rights.”