Oh by the way the topic maker is trusted and is IPS staff so I think she would not lie at all

Would you like to point out as to where i have stated anywhere in my letter about anyone telling lies! As this was only brought to my attention as of yesterday afternoon and i do intend to reply to anyone who has a legitimate claim/query.

PPM

Thankyou for your comments.

PPM

I hope you don't think that coming here and posting how you are is going to make any of the 1 time posters (which most are) any happier I highly doubt that most of these people even look at this topic anymore. Maybe you should go the right route and work the media like every other company. Or, you can continue crashing in flames (similar to your "fixed" cars)

Felt bored just then .. Went to google. Typed in HEATHROW ENGINE CENTRE.. This very topic is at #1 and #2 then at #3
Reconditioned - Engines .co.uk (aka HEATHROW ENGINE CENTRE)

Is it time to bring the popcorn out? will he be back?

Hang on.. So you had only just found out this has been going on .. ?

*Bring the popcorn out *

*Gets the vodka as well*

Well you better start now because you've got 8 pages to respond too. Each of them stumbled upon the thread on this site and most of them signed up just to add their experiences. I'm sorry Mr. Purdy, but the burden of proof seems to be on you. I don't have any vested interest in this matter I just like to see scumbags like yourself get what they deserve.

Have a nice day

*Gets everyone something to eat while reading this thread *

Well if it's not a registered company, it would be even better for whoever takes legal action - the individual owner would be fully liable. Surely someone must have had a legal case with them? I know if anyone in my family encountered a business of this quality (or not as the case may be), they would be straight down to the lawyers.

A question for Mr Morris - why does your business promote unhealthy practices? There are very few firms left which are able to survive on harassment, and to me it seems like only a short while before yours fails too. You must have a nerve to post in response to some of these cases!

A proof of money (obvious motive) being able to corrupt?

Reminds me of the GreenZap topic over at scam.com. The owner of that company comes to the topic acting as if he only trying to help, whilst still taking small amounts of money from people's bank accounts, because he has their account information.

Your company now owes me over £4300, when are you going to be writing out a cheque? It no good coming onto this consumer site and posting what you are about and stating that you are not assosiated with the other companies in no way, if you cant walk the talk....[deliver the goods?].

I'm sorry but it seems that you have just responded to him.

OT: Poor Debbie will have a heart attack when she gets back on here (and Matt too ).

It could be some idiot pretending to be this nasty smarmy iggy slimeball guy

When it comes to vehicle repair, I never pay up front. Actually, I've never been asked to pay upfront by any of my mechanics. They do the work, test drive, let me test drive, then sign off on it and get paid.

These guys are some hardcore scammers.

I never pay upfront for car work at all..

I just had to giggle at the locked thread.

Fly away Peter, Fly away Paul. Come back Peter, Come back Paul......
~Joey

P.s What purdy name he has...

I'm more than happy to make my offices available to Mr Morris so that he can meet with some of his happy customers. Or perhaps he could do the same. i will supply the tea and biscuits

I like that mark! I did send an PERSONAL email to the so called MR PPM, to no avail yet. to be honest it may be one of his many cronies!!!

I bet it's someone from the company using the name as an MD, tht wouldnt suprose me either... doing one of there many scams.....

I have never paid upfront for vehicle repairs in the past, as a previous poster says, you pay when its done and you are happy!

But these guys collect you car on the day, say one price, infalte it 10 fold and then have the cheek to blackmail you and then when you go down to see / get the car, they refuse access, then try to send in the heavy [ small old bloke on a bike] to sort you out! ...like you are in the wrong!

I did give them a deposit , but they then took several thousands from my account unauthorised over several days, DO NOT GIVE THEM YOUR CARD DETAILS AT ALL!!!. and all i get is an engine that fit for the local scrap yard or should i say my old engine with nothing changed!!! cheeky F***ers!

Bring it on Mr Morris we are more than happy to meet with you as a group and as a good will gesture i will even pay for 50% of the costs of a solicitor to be there who can take a full independent record of the discussions.

I would be grateful if you would care to comment on this letter that I am sending to your company on Monday





Ref Jaguar S Type. Registration ****

The Director/Manager of Hallmead Services LTD, trading as Heathrow Engine Centre,

After I contacted your company for a quote for a reconditioned/ re-manufactured engine I was verbally informed that the engine would cost £3000 including VAT and would take 4 days. I accepted the quote and you arranged for collection of the vehicle.
When the vehicle was collected on the 21st December 2007, your representative arrived with filthy overalls and jumped into my car which has ivory leather seats without fitting a temporary seat cover and thus causing deep staining in the cracks and crevices of the passenger seat and despite repeated promises that the car would be fully valeted before it’s return.

After collection of the car I awaited a few days before calling and found that the car had not been touched due to the Christmas period, but shortly afterwards on January 2nd 2008, I was called to inform me that the cost of the exchange engine had increased initially by £1400 with an email also sent with a breakdown of the cost, because the crankshaft and a con rod were unserviceable. When I pointed out that the retail cost of the crank and con rod from Jaguar was much cheaper than you had informed me, you agreed to reduce the increased cost to £1000 to a new figure of £4000 and was told I would have to pay this up front which is highly irregular for this type of work and I feel that this was also a factor for the couldn’t care less attitude I received from members of staff especially I believe someone called Jerry who made comments when I complained about the delay, for example informing me that I could have the car back with the old water pump if I wanted it sooner, despite the fact that I had been advised that I needed a new one and duly paid for it, similarly, when in desperation I suggested that perhaps I should have got a refund on my tax because of the delay, he agreed, I feel this would not have been the case at all if payment was made after the work was carried out.

Getting back to the payment, I was informed that if I BAC the money to you I would be able to get the car at the end of the week, when it became apparent that this would not be the case due to, one awaiting a breather pipe, even though I was then told it was just unblocked, secondly awaiting a replacement water pump as you had received the wrong one and that the car would be ready the following Monday.
I booked a days holiday from work so that I could be available for the delivery, but phoned up on the Friday before to confirm this and was told that the car would now be ready on the Tuesday, I changed my holiday accordingly and on the Tuesday rang up to find out what time I should expect delivery. I spoke to Gary, who at first informed me that no vehicles were going out that day, when I told him it was due that day he went off and then came back informing me that the car was going out on a road test and would be delivered later that afternoon guaranteed!! I phoned again at 17:00 and was then informed that you were still waiting for the replacement water pump, so I had been lied to by Gary.
Then after the pump was eventually installed, began the long saga of the misfire, which you stated was found to be due to one of the cams being slightly out.

The day eventually arrived when my car was delivered on Tuesday 29th January 2008, however with no fuel and I had to collect some from the local garage in a petrol can to allow me to drive the car and fill it up, though it had just had £40 worth of petrol prior to collection, this was apparently due to all the running of the engine to solve the misfire, however I do not see why I should have been out of pocket when the problem was drawn out due to the mechanic being unable to find the fault.

On driving the car I found there to be a misfire when the engine had warmed up on tick over and between 500 and 2000 revs making running in of the engine very difficult, the engine also overheated and the fan ran on after the engine was switched off. The aircon system had not been re gassed although I had paid for this to be done, the driver’s seat was deeply ingrained with dirt and grease in the cracks and creases in the leather despite assurances that the seat would be cleaned, the foot well was filthy with greasy footprints, the air con had not been re gassed though this had been paid for, and I now have a small dent in the bonnet which is not a stone chip and was not there before the car was collected.
On the 8th February 2008 I paid for a diagnostics from Guy Salmon Jaguar in Aylesford, who determined that there was no electronics fault causing the misfire and that the overheating was caused by a possible fault with the water pump or thermostat and this in turn could be causing the misfire.
I took the car home and contacted yourselves and after reporting to you a number of faults including those, which were identified by Jaguar Maidstone, and after following your advice to have the problems rectified whilst I was away until the 19th February 2008, my car was collected by one of you representatives at midday on the 12th February 2008. At the request of Martin the Manager I emailed you the problems I had encountered so far and a copy of the diagnostics report from Guy Salmon Jaguar

On my return I rang you on the Wednesday 20th February 2008 to be informed that all the problems had been resolved except for the fan, which you informed me was still faulty and that an electrician was booked to come in on Friday 22nd February 2008 and try and alleviate the fault. I questioned this at the time because there was no apparent fault with the fan when you took collection of it, it was over running when the engine was switched off because of the over heating and cut out as soon as the temperature of the engine was within limits

I rang on Friday 22nd February 2008, about midday, and was told that you were still awaiting arrival of the electrician I rang again at around 16:30 but was told the workshop had closed early so I rang again on Saturday 23rd February 2008 and you informed me that the car was now going to be booked into Jaguar.

I rang a number of times on Tuesday 26th February 2008 to try and find out when the car was to be booked in and eventually told that it was booked in a Jaguar dealer for Friday 29th February 2008, but you would not tell me which dealer as it was not your policy to do so

On Wednesday 27th February 2008 I decided to check with all Jaguar dealers in a 70 mile circumference of Heathrow Engines and after checking with my car registration, they all confirmed that the car was not booked in for any type of work, so I, feeling very angry, rang yourselves and spoke to your warranty personnel whom I was told was called Jerry White and informed him of this, he was quite dismissive of the fact and told me that Jaguar will not give out details, complete and utter rubbish! At this point I said that I wanted the car back and he told me to send an email to that effect, however when I got off the phone I contacted consumer direct who advised me that you had no right to withhold information about the future whereabouts of my vehicle and to let you complete the warranty work as promised, as such I rang him back after 30 minutes to inform him of this, but surprise, surprise my booking had been cancelled and he would have to make another one and he would still not inform me with which Jaguar dealer the car would go to despite what consumer direct had said

I rang again on Thursday 28th February 2008, and you informed me that you were waiting for Jaguar to give you a date for another booking.

I rang again on Tuesday 4th March 2008 and interestingly when I mentioned to the person who took the call that my car was going into Jaguar he informed me that it must be Jaguar at Thames Ditton as this was the dealership that you normally used. When I was transferred to you, you informed me that the car was now with Jaguar and had been since Monday, so I rang all the local dealers again and once more I was informed that the car was not booked in with them.

I rang again on Friday 7th March 2008 and you informed me that you had rung Jaguar 30 minutes earlier and when I rang again you had still heard nothing. I found this most strange as you had it booked in for Monday 3rd March 2008 and yet Jaguar had not called you for five days regarding my car or without you calling them to enquire on their progress

On Monday 10th March 2008 you informed me that the Jaguar dealer had stated that the car had five defective coils and this was causing the misfire and that to remedy this would cost over £600, but the fan was now fixed. I found this incredulous as I was told by Martin the manager, that all the faults including the misfire had been resolved except for the fan on the 20th February 2008.

I emailed you that evening stating my feelings over the matter a chronological list of events and my wish to collect the car as is and for no further work to be carried out as I had lost all confidence in you but despite this, I was called at 09:00 on Tuesday 11th March 2008 and was told that Jaguar had done the work, when I asked why it had been done without my authorisation, you informed me that the car was with H.A.Fox Jaguar in Guildford, Surrey and told me to sort it out with them and hung up.

I called them, and sure enough found that my car was with them and four not five of the coils had been replaced, and because the tank was empty, yet again they had to put £25 of fuel to enable them to test the vehicle, they also had to reconnect the fan as it had been disconnected, obviously that was your way of fixing it, and the reason it had been given to them was to resolve the misfire problem, not the fan issue.
They found along with the disconnected fan, and the coils on one bank were faulty even though there was no fault found on the diagnostics on the 8th February 2008, which suggests something happened to them whilst the car was in your care, it was also found that the air filter box had been incorrectly fitted. I collected the car on Wednesday 12th March 2008 and paid £497.49, more than a hundred pounds less than the figure you quoted me. I found that despite the fact that you told me all the issues had been resolved, the engine was still overheating but to a lesser degree, probably due to the fact that the air box was no longer leaking, the fan was still over running, the aircon had still not been gassed and the seat and the foot well were still in the same filthy state, over the period of four weeks that you had my car, nothing whatsoever had been done except for disconnecting the fan and emptying my tank of fuel.

On Tuesday 18th March 2008, after having made a booking, I left the car with Guy Salmon Jaguar in Aylesford, to service the car and to try and resolve the over running fan.

They discovered that the thermostat was faulty but were unable to remove it because the bolts had seized in and a new housing was required, when I enquired if this should be the case with a remanufactured/reconditioned engine they stated no, when I asked if the engine was a remanufactured engine, they stated that in their opinion it was not. When asked if the thermostat had been replaced in the last three months, they stated no.
I collected the car from them on Thursday 20th March 2008 with all the identified problems resolved except for the potential oil leak from the back of the engine which will be checked at al later date.

I have been more than patient waiting over10 weeks for repairs etc that should have taken no more than a few days as you initially advised, you have purposely left me in the dark and have treated me with veiled contempt though out the period of time that you have had my vehicle. I have wasted time and money booking holiday, which was unnecessary and costly, £250 to actually work a day in lieu of pay to regain it. I have had to pay Guy Salmon Jaguar Aylesford, £47.59 for the diagnostics check and the inconvenience to my wife over the whole period who is a carer for her father because of the protracted delay in getting my car back as I have had to use her car constantly for work etc.
I have been lied to from the manager down, work that should have been done was left, parts that I paid for were not received, work was carried out via Jaguar without my authorisation, Jaguar stating that you rang through to authorise the work at about 14:30 on Monday 10th March 2008, shortly after speaking to me and being informed that I would get back to you.
You deliberately disconnected the fan, incorrectly fitted parts which were also not genuine, used low quality antifreeze as stated by jaguar but above all, you have acted fraudulently by taking money by deception for an engine which is not re-manufactured/recon, but a second hand engine which has been steam cleaned or some similar method and sprayed silver.

As such I am demanding a total of £**** compensation less £**** which I believe is the market price for a 2nd hand engine

This cost is broken down as follows
£**** cost of engine and extras
£**** unnecessary cost to Jaguar for unauthorised work
£**** Jaguar diagnostics
£**** further work to remedy faults and ensure smooth running of engine
£**** Cost to work for replacement holiday
£**** Unwarranted fuel usage
£**** compensation for extended period of time that vehicle was kept

Total to pay £*****

I have sent this letter to you recorded delivery and give you seven days to respond or Count Court action will follow.

Yours sincerely

Great Letter HEMvictim, I've followed this thread from the beginning, they do not sound like they know what they are doing at all! I hope it all works out for everyone.

Wow, HEMvictim, that sounds like quite an ordeal! I hope you get the compensation from them you clearly deserve.

Let us know how it goes.

Ouch! Well your Mr Morris is currently viewing this topic, lets see what he says! Seriously, if you can afford it, I'd take it to full court and press for a ban on the director holding directorship of any business for the rest of his life.

Is Mr Morris gonna reply ?

For further information I am adding the following to the above letter

With regards to the compensation I would like to draw your attention to the following to which you are bound
“The Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 requires a supplier of a service acting in the course of business in England, Wales and Northern Ireland to carry out that service with reasonable care and skill and, unless agreed to the contrary, within a reasonable time and make no more than a reasonable charge.”


“ If a supplier of a service breaches the conditions of a contract (for example by failing to carry out the work ordered) the consumer has a choice either to affirm the contract (treat it as still in existence) and claim compensation from the trader for his failure to carry out what was agreed or rescind (cancel) the contract.”
You have breached these terms due to the failure to address the faults with the car when it was initially with you and when it was returned to you two weeks later

“If the supplier does not carry out the work with reasonable care and skill the law treats the matter as a breach of contract and the consumer can seek redress. Often reasonable compensation in these circumstances will be repair or replacement.”
You have breached these terms due to the state of the drivers seat and foot well and the disconnection of the fan and incorrect fitting of the air box and the problem which became apparent with four coils which was not an issue prior to the vehicles return to you

“If no agreement has been made with the supplier about completion of the work, or about the charge to be made, then if it is not completed within a reasonable time or the price is unreasonable, this is also treated as breach of contract and the consumer may be entitled to compensation.”
You have breached these terms due to the extended time you held the vehicle

“Any goods supplied in the course of the service must be as described, of satisfactory quality and fit for their purpose. If they are not the consumer is entitled to a repair, replacement or compensation.”
You have breached these terms due to the fact that inferior parts were used and that the engine was 2nd hand and not remanufactured/reconditioned as stated

“ A supplier of a service who has broken a contract may also be liable for any consequential loss which is suffered by the consumer. Ultimately it would be for the courts to decide whether or not a breach of contract has occurred and the redress, in the form of damages (compensation), to which a consumer might be entitled.”
You failed to contact me at any time except to inform me when money was involved, causing me to take time off unnecessarily, at a cost to myself. Because of the extended time you held the vehicle it caused major inconvenience to myself and my wife as we both required the use of a car

Did you pay for any of the work on a credit card.

Unfortunately no, I paid them via bacs

That's quite a letter HECvictim, please keep us updated - and I hope you get the compensation they owe you.ß

I too have been ripped off by heathrow engine centre.

In april last year i paid almost £3000 for a 'remanufactured' engine as my old engine died as a result of overheating. It had been losing oil and coolant. I did a google

search and HEC came top. They had a fancy website and offered me the cheapest quote. They said that they had a special offer of free fitting on any supplied engines.

The quote they gave me was £1595 and they said the work would take 4 days. I reluctantly agreed to have the work carried out.

They duly took my car away and within a couple of days i had a phone call from them. The engine they said required additional expenditure and by the time they finished with

the list, the original quote had balooned to £2700. I reluctantly agreed to have the work done..

4 weeks later and my car was ready to be collected. I caught a train and a taxi to their garage and was surprised how different it looked compared to the fancy pictures on

their website. It was small, dirty and complete with an immigrant work force.

The warranty they said was valid only for 12 months as i intended to have the engine serviced by my local garage. Normally it is 5 years. This i agreed to and felt was

reasonable.

When i got home and looked at the receipt they gave me, i realised they had not given me the new engine number. I needed to inform the DVLA. I phoned HEC and was informed

that i would needed to bring the car in. I asked them that surely they must have the number on record somewhere, but they insisted i bring the car in.

As i was really busy i did not get a chance to bring it back to them.

After 3 months the engine began loosing coolant and oil. My local mechanic found no evidence of an external leak. I took it back to them and they were happy to fix it

under warranty. I spoke with the workshop manager several times reminding him to give me the engine number. After six weeks, i was informed by the workshop manager that teh

car was ready to be collected and that HEC had replaced the engine again with another one.

Once again the engine number was not given to me.

In december 2007, my car again begain losing coolant ( about a litre a day ) and there was a lot of smoke coming out the exhaust. An AA man who saw the problem said it may

be a potential head gasket problem.

I phoned HEC and was told to bring it back. Which i duly did.

I was phoned back after a few days and was told that my warranty only covered parts and not labour and if they i wanted my car to be fixed i would need to foot the bill for

labour.

By then i had come across this forum and told them that i would collect the car unrepaired. I printed out several copies of the comments on this forum and left them on

their waiting room table

I asked my mechanic to get the engine for me. On my car the engine number is not easy to see, hence its not something i could have done.

He got the engine number for me and when i checked my log book it was the same engine number. They had merely given me back my old engine and the problems i have been getting i wsas getting with my old engine.

So now after almost 12 months i still have my old engine with the same problems as before, but £2700 out of pocket.

I am consulting with a lawyer and have already sent them a 7 day letter.

Sounds like that bit was about as truthful as their services. Has anyone received a response from these criminals? I'm sure their attempts to disarm the situation would be quite humorous.

Have they contacted anyone at IPS about your site hosting what I'm sure they'd like to call libel?

This is better than daytime television. All the drama without the bad acting!

We must all stick together on this, they have done the same to me and a lot of other inocent people!!

If that was the same engine and you are able to prove it that is a matter for the police. It's straightforward fraud. I would like to see Mr Morris reply to this one.

I'm sure there's something the Trading Standards Agency would be able to do about this business. I'm sure a solicitor would be very interested in the cut they could get from a multi-consumer legal claim as well.

Well done to everyone I noticed this forum is now number one with google, when searching for Heathrow Engines! What do you think of that Mr Morris?

I thought i had a straightforward case, but then i read the terms and conditions, hidden away on their website. It states

"In case where a a suitable unit may not be available from stock, the company may at our discretion, remanufacture the customers original unit. This will be termed and treated as an exchange unit for purposes of the guarantee"

This is really quite shocking, and they have covered their backs. I was told originally by them that they had a replacement engine in stock, . So they should not have rebuilt my old engine. But this was verbal only and not in writing.

Deos any one have a copy of their terms and conditions dating from early last year. Feb/March would be ideal. Their current one was modified in November 2007.

People can call it what they like. Fortunately, libel only applies to statements which are untrue.

I have the documents you need, i also have several documents that have different company registration details on in fact links them to heathrow engine centre whihc they say are not related yet the wording for the terms and conditions is the same, however i would be grateful for a copy of the new ones, as they will have changed it because of my ivestigation work and also they probabley found this forum from me too!

NO reply to anyones post from PPM, I contacted him personally and got bog all response,which is what i was expecting! THIS PERSON DOSENT EXSIST AT ALL ITS PROBABLY ONE OF HIS MANY CRONNIES POSTING ON HERE UNDER THE MANY ALIAS THEY HAVE!

AS I SAID BEFORE YOU CAN TALK THE TALK , [color="#FF0000"]BUT YOU CANT WALK THE WALK![/color]

I've been checking the law under the trade descriptions act and I reckon there is a criminal case under S.14 specifically about the making of false statements. If the police can show that HEC have not fitted manufactured parts to your engine then its a criminal offence. A police vehicle inspector would be seen as a legal expert.

In addition there is criminal case law which may apply to HEC when telling people that they have to pay for a new crankshaft. A washing machine repair firm was prosecuted for always telling customers that they needed a new motor even when they didn't. And on top of this there is the misleading zoom shots of the premises, again a potential criminal offence, and the frequent telling of customers that they will have their car back in 4 days.

I for one would be happy to make a joint formal complaint to the police

Keep us updated on this.. This has been going on for years I have heard so it would be good to see them locked away for life and all the money paid back .

Correct me if I'm wrong, but if these terms and conditions are on their web site, doesn't that only apply to you if you agreed to it? As in, it would have to be on paperwork that you would have signed with them? And in this case, wouldn't you at least skim what it says before sining it?

For info Peter Purdy-Morris does seem to exist his director report states that he lives at OLD TOVIL ROAD MAIDSTONE KENT ME15 6PR if you ant his full address pm me

Ouch

he does? , hes posted on here?? i have sent several letters to him and got bog all response which i find strange as most MD 's try to hep the customer if the service stinks! Ive also sent letters to the workshop mamanger as well as sales and have had responses back to the effect of you can bring your car back to us.....lol what to have more money taken from my bank account without aithorisation, be blackmailed on the phone to be refused access t my car and then not to get the job done and then denie all knowledge, yeah right im sure im going to do that!

What should we be doing next!!! they have the money we havent got anything! except a car that dosent work!

I suggest the people at IPS read their own rules. This thread should be closed down according to IPS's own rules.

Whilst it would seem that this company is untouchable one must persist....
Here is my letter to Doug Love of Ealing Trading Standards... suffice to say Doug 'felt' the company was legitimate... his thought processes probably were weighed down by a wad of oily twenties in his back pocket (although this may not have been the case and thus we must suppose "the computer said no").....

Doug Love
Senior Enforcement Officer
Ealing Trading Standards
Ealing Council
Perceval House
14/16 Uxbridge Road
London
W5 2HL

16 November 2007

Dear Mr Doug Love

RE: Heathrow Engine Center/Hallmead Services Ltd (formerly Heathrow Motor Services Ltd, Company No. 05596613), 169 Brent Road, Southall, Middlesex, UB2 5LE

I am writing with regard to with regard to the above company. I have previously written to Mr Warren Glendinning, however as my last emails (enclosed) have not been responded to I feel I must escalate the issues.

You will see from all my previous correspondence (some enclosed) how this company is working a reasonably clever scam. There is no question that there is a scam operating as evidenced in correspondence to Mr Warren Glendinning (listed DA1-DA15) which includes reports from other customers including three I met on their site who all had suffered similar experiences.

If I may offer what I believe the process of the scam is:(1) quote low using book price of vehicles as the hook (2) get the car by sending a tow truck for immediate pick-up (3) double/triple the price but still just within book price of the car to make it ‘just about worth the trouble paying’ whilst adding the squeeze by demanding a sizable inspection fee should the customer back-away (4) Harvest the vehicle for decent parts and replace with old/non working parts (4a) When ‘balshy’ customers come to site use aggression and intimidation (just like with Watchdog) (5) do just enough to get the vehicle running again and drag it out for 4/5 weeks (6) when it breaks down after they drive away customer probably won’t want to come back invalidating any appeal to Supply of Goods and Services Act (7) if they do come back drag it out for another 4/5 weeks (8) Do a little more than just enough to get the vehicle going and try hitting the customer with another invoice if possible (9) If they refuse to pay keep the vehicle as a ‘lien’ (10) If they pay under protest to get the vehicle back, and then sue, don’t worry as we just ignore the judgement as most customers won’t go to the pain and bother of paying for bailiffs (11) If we get too much bad press move premise, change name and do it all over again.

It surprised me greatly that Mr Glendinning’s initial investigations found nothing amiss as a short search of the internet alone will bring up various unsavoury reports. The BBC Watchdog report details a company originally called Rivermead Engineering Ltd and then Heathrow Motor Services Ltd. I have received an email from Heathrow Engine Center which has a header ‘Heathrow Motor Services Ltd’. Therefore there seems no question about who they are and the scam they are continuing.


The initial breach of law I believe is their sales technique where there is no mention of ‘other’ possible or probable costs. I believe I am right in thinking that the failure to use ‘reasonable care and skill’ in making the verbal contract before having the vehicle recovered, specifically in that they did not warn or advise of probable and/or possible additional costs was a breach of the Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982. If this is in dispute I believe that they are in breach of Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 which states ‘the seller must give you clear prior information about the goods or services and a written confirmation of the order which must include all relevant information. You will see that the only information I received, concerning the contract, before picking up my vehicle was an emailed quote (DA2) that does not have all relevant information i.e. details of the contract, specifics of the warranty or how long it would take for installation.

Finally, I enclose two independent garage reports which I had carried out at a cost of £386.28. You will see from the report that from a fiscal perspective the vehicle is now a write-off and hence I have lost the best part of £7,000.00. The report clearly shows that Heathrow Engine Center has not carried out the work with care and skill and in fact the damage to the vehicle must be considered malicious due to the detriment to value.

The public will continue to be ‘fleeced’ for its money if Ealing Trading Standards does not take appropriate, definitive and lasting action.

Yours faithfully

Big Daddy

Write him... even copy this letter (apart the bits specific to me)... and also write the Southall MP (see my next posting) and include copies of this board.

Here is a copy of my letter to the Southall MP.... I wrote to Piara Khabra who has now been replaced by Virendra Sharma....
We must persist.... I will resend my letter and include my letter to Doug Love of Ealing Trading Standards....
BY THE WAY WOULD ANY BODY BE WILLING TO TURN UP EN-MASSE AT HEATHROW ENGINE CENTRE WITH NEWS CREWS ETC IN TOW??

Mr Piara S Khabra,
MP Ealing Southall,
House of Commons,
London,
SW1A OAA

09 July 2007


Dear Virendra Sharma

RE: Rogue Trader in Southall
[Heathrow Engine Center/Hallmead Services Ltd (formerly Heathrow Motor Services Ltd, Company]

I am writing to make you aware of a ‘Rogue Trader’ in your constituency.

Please find enclosed documents with regard to Heathrow Engine Center. I would like also to direct you to a print of a BBC Watchdog report dated 2nd May & 19 December 2006 (enclosed) which details a company originally called Rivermead Engineering Ltd and later Heathrow Motor Services Ltd. Heathrow Engine Center is in fact the same company and as you can see the company has a habit of changing name and location when there is too much bad press. That they are the same company has been confirmed in an email they sent to me with the header ‘Heathrow Motor Services’.

You will see from the Watchdog print out that this company is a rogue trader who works very fast to recover you car and then once they have it tighten the screws. For me a new engine quote over the phone of £1350.00 was inflated to £2079.00 with the ‘threat’ of a £282.00 if I did not want to go ahead with the installation. They promised a 3/4 day installation that eventually dragged out to four weeks. When I finally picked up the vehicle it broke down 45 miles later. I had the vehicle recovered by the company and waited a further six weeks (to 7th June) and have only just received my vehicle back with the bodywork covered in bird droppings.

There are many other cases on the internet that confirm that getting your vehicle back is not the end of the problems. I have yet to find out if their ‘repairs’ will hold up over the next few weeks. Many customers have had the repairs inspected and found very shoddy and probably criminal work.

If mine was an isolated case then perhaps this might be just a one-off ‘difficult installation’. However the Watchdog reports, and numerous cases on the internet (enclosed), suggest, and make it otherwise. As well as reporting my case to Watchdog, I have reported my case to Trading Standards and I know of one other person who has done the same. I suspect there have been many more complaints filed. I have also contacted Ealing Trading Standards who seem to have had ‘the wool pulled over their eyes’ and having contacted the company deems it legitimate. Whilst I accept they must deal with ‘fact’ not ‘suspicion’, a small amount of investigation soon unearths the truth about this company. I am forwarding all the documents, prints and letters I have to them which should make them reconsider the evidence and investigate further. Should they not, and an investigation from a different party proceeds, they may receive negative press concerning their effectiveness.

I have followed all the necessary channels available to me and at a cost of £2079.00 did not effectively see my vehicle for ten weeks. I am not alone in this situation. However this company clearly believes it can continue its ‘rogue-trading’ indiscriminately stealing money of the public and causing significant disadvantage without concern of punishment. Consumer Direct have advised me on numerous occasions that ‘Consumer Law’ does not adequately protect the public from companies like this.

Whilst I understand that all else failing one might sue the company this has not proven successful with this company as they simply ignore any judgements. This leaves the consumer needing to spend more money paying for bailiffs and one customer was advised they may not have assets to go after anyway (see enclosed).

I would respectfully ask that you look into the situation and perhaps have your office contact Ealing Trading Standards to say I have also raised the issue with you. Perhaps also you might raise the issue of consumer law in parliament to highlight the need to close the loopholes and have harsher punishments for companies that attempt to deceive the public out of their money.

Yours sincerely

Big Daddy