49 replies to this topic

[GreaseMonkey]

Don't touch this guy with a barge pole, trust me.

Long story short, my Mk2 was with him from the end of March till last Saturday and this is what I got after all that time



Exactly the same it was all them months ago, untouched and not even looked at. We only found out the truth once we got there as he couldn't even tell me.

This guy has cost me a lot of money and annoyance. He arranged two days of "delivery" meaning I would go out my way to make sure I was free canceling, rearranging things and selling things cheaper so I would have the money. My brother taking a day off to to help out only for Steve to cancel/excuses at the last moment saying his friend couldn't deliver, has a once in a lifetime chance to go racing etc, when he knew all the time it wasn't ready.





Eventually enough was enough and I arranged collection myself and was completely shocked being faced with the exact shell in the same state of disrepair it was many months ago.

I'm sure he could have put his hands up like any man would and say at the beginning he couldn't do it, but no he led me on for months, time where I could have got someone who knew what they were doing to sort it out, all that time went to waste while phoning in every other week to check on progress I was told things were moving ahead where as in reality my car was sitting around, rusting away. We chatted like mates me believing everything was fine and I would have the Mk2 I dreamed of soon.

He still did not admit freely that it wasn't even started and only admitted to it not being painted but ready for paint over the phone.

He even sent me a picture of someone elses Mk2 saying it was mine, I would love to know who really owns it and whether they know he has been using the pic



My mini has sat about doing nothing all this time, apart from gaining more rust and surface rust on brand new panels which weren't exactly cheap.

Absolute time waster with no remorse for what he has done, I'm still owed money and panels of mine are missing. He knew I had arranged to come and collect a week before but did not even bother to get the cash ready, instead handed me a cheque for £800 when I am owed £950, so I'm still waiting to see if the cheque will clear and will be down £150 plus the expenses for me collecting my shell which was untouched and the money lost on selling things cheaper to make sure I had the money to pay on "delivery"

All he had to say for himself was "Yeah I know" "I should have"

Compulsive liar right down to the fact that his own Mk2 isn't even the Cooper "S" he claims it to be. Really utterly dissapointed as I trusted this guy having bought a Megajolt kit off him and recommended him to many people

As far as I know, I'm not the only person to be messed about by this joker.

Now I'm faced with having to maybe sell the Mk2 and move on which is a really difficult decision, given my situation out of Minis I don't have the time for a project anymore and have lost the heart for things like this.

Still haven't received a proper apology for what happened, I'm sure he saw me on numerous occasions at Castle Combe.

Rahul.

(If any mods have a problem with the thread, please contact me, thanks)

Edited by GreaseMonkey, 27 September 2010 - 01:42 PM.

[Jordie]

I will move this into the traders reviews section.

[Bean]

(EXIF Data says: 7th June 2010)

[GreaseMonkey]

Funny how you now sign on as anonymous Steve, if you are reading this.

[MiniAlex]

Hope you get it sorted out soon mate
This is what makes me nervous, I daren't ever take my Mini to any garage. To be repaired or anything, just incase

[GreaseMonkey]

Just so a few more don't get caught out

Profile

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[paul6266]

i had some bike carbs built up by this bloke on a manifold that he custom made....quite frankly i got ripped off by him, i sent up a row of 4 only got 2 back and the manifold was something i prob could of made myself the quality was shocking!!!! lets this be a warning guys this chap is a complete t**t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[miniman.matt]

Grease i am gutted for you mate, at least others will now be warned about this joker. Dont give up dude with the right help your car will be the dogs danglys.

Much love matt

[davejf]

Gutted for you mate. I know when i came to yours you were saying you'd been messed about, but that's really another level. Don't give up on it. You have everything there ready to put together a stunning car, i'm sure you can find someone who you can trust to do as they say with the shell.

Dave

[BiMU]

I'm gutted and really annoyed for Monkey. I've been chatting to Monkey throughout the whole fiasco, just can't believe anyone could be deceitful... well maybe a child that doesn't know wrong from right until told off, but he is not a child. He must have some sort of condition.

Just be aware people and stay well clear.

[Jacko-lah]

Can I just ask, how do you lot decide who to entrust work with. Because 10 years ago I had a loft conversion costing about £15K and we spent weeks visiting the converted lofts of satisfied and disassisfied customers, of a whole load of builders. In the end we went on the best reputation, and had a bloody good job done. Now. when it comes to entrusting people to do a restoration job on your mini, or provide you with an engine, what investigations as to a firms worthyness do you do ?

[Guess-Works.com]

Usually g by personal recommendation from someone you know ( and I don't mean just know through 'tinternet ) and trust.

[GreaseMonkey]

Well first of all I came to know him through buying a megajolt kit off him, then a good friend of mine who I trust (and have met and known for a few years) reccomended him on the basis of going down to his unit and checking out the work he has done and his setup which all checked out.

Its only recently we have found out the horrible truth and the extent of his lies.

[E.L.M.O]

Can I just ask, how do you lot decide who to entrust work with. Because 10 years ago I had a loft conversion costing about £15K and we spent weeks visiting the converted lofts of satisfied and disassisfied customers, of a whole load of builders. In the end we went on the best reputation, and had a bloody good job done. Now. when it comes to entrusting people to do a restoration job on your mini, or provide you with an engine, what investigations as to a firms worthyness do you do ?

Thats a very good question I think, as there are always two sides to every story and even the best people have unhappy customers once in a blue moon.

To give an example, I think Mini Spares are the bees knees, and people like Simon and Gary really know their stuff. When an issue does arise they seem to be right on the ball but I am sure someone out there has at one point had a bad experience weather it be their own fault or the traders.

Whos recommendation do you trust? After all bad reputations are easily built what with so many people enjoying jumping on other peoples band wagons. Negative feedback gets traditionally shouted about a lot louder than positive feedback and tends to leave a longer lingering imprint vs good feedback.

[Shifty]

Who recomendation do you trust?

Well in this case..................I wouldn't trust mine!!

Bit of History here, I was orignally gonna do Monkeys car myself, unfortunately due to personal circumstances I was unable to fullfill my commitment and I recommended Steve as someone who would be able to take the Job on and finish what I didn't start.

I thought I was doing Monkey a favour as his car would be completed much quicker and he could make the shows this year(rather than wait for me!!)

Hmmmmm!!!