SOS G/S

[Alts]

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Unable to make headway elsewhere on my quest for my Grail, and after consultation with one of the forums’ wise men, it has been suggested that I consult the various oracles on the ukgser site. No sooner said than done.

My problem concerns the purchase of a complete exhaust system for my non-rolling ’87 G/S-PD, on a well-known auction site. After a positive initial contact with the seller, the item was sent to me here in France, where the possibilities are far fewer for this type of material. Unfortunately for me, the delivery company (a holding of the Royal Mail Group) made an error concerning the delivery, and promptly, without any notification, returned the item the sender in the U.K.
From there on, 12 months have gone by in trying to recover this flippin’ exhaust (10 April 2005). The auction site reclamation option deadlines have been long since passed, as well as the PayPal one’s.

Two and a half months ago, I finally managed to organize a re-delivery by Parcel Farce Worldwide, provided the seller
1. Re-wrap the parcel so that none of the previous stickers are in evidence, and creating conditions for another delivery error.
2. Provide me with any address whereby a collection could take place Mon. to Fri. between 09H00 to 16H00, by one of their agents.
3. Notify me as to the exact number of parts contained in the parcel for the Customs declaration papers.

None of this seems too complicated to me, to be honest. Parcel Farce no longer requires that I produce the original receipts that were never forwarded by the seller, or any other additional information than the three things stated above. They are, now, just simply looking to settle a claim with a client, me.

Now, this is where the sticky part begins: the seller, John Chamberlain of Kirby-in-Ashfield, Nottinghamshire, NG17 7JQ is not replying to any of my innumerable e-mails.
(I’ve been asked not to give the full address, so I’m omitting the street number and name.)
In spite of the non-replies, I must admit, I’ve been very careful about being polite with this…individual.
I have verified that he still lives at the same address by contacting other recent buyers on the auction site, (user id: johnc900) and all (3) have confirmed that the contact information that I have for him is correct, including his e-mail address: [email protected]

So, what I’m actually hoping for from you lot (apart from receiving my exhaust) is that any of you fellow riders out here, and if out of nothing else other than out of sheer Biker Spirit (it still exists in my mind and in praxis), wouldn’t mind giving me a hand in trying to sort this thing out…? Does anybody know John, or live in the area? I’ve tried finding a telephone number for him using the BT Directory, but he has no number or address listed… and to be quite honest, even if I did have a phone number for him, I’d probably explode if I were to speak with the fella, now.
I’ve recently considered calling the police, as there’s a station just a mile or two down the road from him on Victoria Street. However, as I don’t live in the U.K. and am ignorant as to what good, if any, it would do, I’ll hold off until such time as your advice is offered.

Ah! One last thing, if, by any chance anyone has doubts as to my story, or questions concerning, feel free to ask away… nothing has been hidden, excepting my anger.

Thanks in advance for any help.

Alts
[email protected]

 

[gypsy]

Seems like a rideout could be in order to persuade him of the error of his ways ?

 

[northengit]

Does he,.... when he still sells on Flea-bay display any questions asked by potential bidders for auction goods....?? if so jump in and sieze the moment and ask an awkward question about your x-pipe for all the world to see, it may have some effect.

 

[Alts]

Wishful thinking

That's what I thought, too. So, after checking to see if he had anything up for auction -- and he did -- I sent him three question concerning the/MY! exhaust, thinking that the questions would appear along with the other question(s) asked by the potential buyers. Alas, the questions are posted according to the desire. No automatic publishing.
Oh well, nothing ventured...

 

[Alts]

Well folks, after my initial posting, I was very happy to have received several offers of assistance in order to help me to recover an exhaust system for my G/S, purchased last year, but never received from an increasingly reticent (i.e. dodgy) fleabay seller.
I still have yet to recover the exhaust, but I would none-the-less like to thank “Gypsy” and “Noddy” for their help.

“Gypsy” was actually able to swing by the neighbourhood, last week. However, with a “For Sale” sign up in the front yard, and the house apparently empty, my prospects of recovering the exhaust didn’t seem particularly bright.

So, thinking that I didn’t have much choice in the matter, and to be honest, not really knowing what else to do, I thought I’d try contacting the local police station in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. (Wonderful thing, this Internet, find just about anything with it).
And I really didn’t have anything more to loose, apart from the cost of the communication.

After describing the situation to “Control”, I was given an Incident #, and was told that an investigating officer would get back to me.

The weekend went by, and with the 1st of May being a national holiday, here in France (and curiosity getting the best of me) I thought I might try giving the station a call back.

Was eventually put through to a PC Doran, who told me that he had been by the house, and was able to make contact with John Chamberlain, the seller, in question, and he was shown the parcel by John. John took the time to point out that it was the Parcel Farce reps here in France that had returned the package to the UK, but made no reference to my two dozen or so e-mails sent during the past two months, according to PC Doran. This doesn’t surprise me, at all. Wouldn’t want to look bad now, would he?
PC Doran also asked him to get in contact with me, which he hasn’t, as of yet, done.

I’m still prudently optimistic, though.

PC Doran has, in spite of the fact that he considers this to be a civil affaire, offered to return to the house and put forth, yet again, the Parcel Farce proposition:
1. Re-wrapping of the parcel so as mask any and all of the previous mailing stickers used, thereby avoiding any confusion for the re-delivery, while having the old stickers for a future claim to be filed.
2. Supply me with a collection address whereby between 09H00 and 16H00, the Parcel Farce agent can collect the parcel for re-delivery.
3. Supply me with the exact number of parts contained within the parcel, for the Customs Declaration forms that Parcel Farce themselves will fill out.

Sounds simple enough to me. Pity they, Parcel Farce, couldn’t have gotten it right the first time round, eh?

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

 

[northengit]

Don't forget to say a big thank you to pc Doran,

 

[(RIP) Kaister]

Haven't the police got anything better to do - like catching speeders ?? ( only joking )

 

[Thunder]

Well folks, after my initial posting, I was very happy to have received several offers of assistance in order to help me to recover an exhaust system for my G/S, purchased last year, but never received from an increasingly reticent (i.e. dodgy) fleabay seller.
I still have yet to recover the exhaust, but I would none-the-less like to thank “Gypsy” and “Noddy” for their help.

“Gypsy” was actually able to swing by the neighbourhood, last week. However, with a “For Sale” sign up in the front yard, and the house apparently empty, my prospects of recovering the exhaust didn’t seem particularly bright.

So, thinking that I didn’t have much choice in the matter, and to be honest, not really knowing what else to do, I thought I’d try contacting the local police station in Kirkby-in-Ashfield. (Wonderful thing, this Internet, find just about anything with it).
And I really didn’t have anything more to loose, apart from the cost of the communication.

After describing the situation to “Control”, I was given an Incident #, and was told that an investigating officer would get back to me.

The weekend went by, and with the 1st of May being a national holiday, here in France (and curiosity getting the best of me) I thought I might try giving the station a call back.

Was eventually put through to a PC Doran, who told me that he had been by the house, and was able to make contact with John Chamberlain, the seller, in question, and he was shown the parcel by John. John took the time to point out that it was the Parcel Farce reps here in France that had returned the package to the UK, but made no reference to my two dozen or so e-mails sent during the past two months, according to PC Doran. This doesn’t surprise me, at all. Wouldn’t want to look bad now, would he?
PC Doran also asked him to get in contact with me, which he hasn’t, as of yet, done.

I’m still prudently optimistic, though.

PC Doran has, in spite of the fact that he considers this to be a civil affaire, offered to return to the house and put forth, yet again, the Parcel Farce proposition:
1. Re-wrapping of the parcel so as mask any and all of the previous mailing stickers used, thereby avoiding any confusion for the re-delivery, while having the old stickers for a future claim to be filed.
2. Supply me with a collection address whereby between 09H00 and 16H00, the Parcel Farce agent can collect the parcel for re-delivery.
3. Supply me with the exact number of parts contained within the parcel, for the Customs Declaration forms that Parcel Farce themselves will fill out.

Sounds simple enough to me. Pity they, Parcel Farce, couldn’t have gotten it right the first time round, eh?

Keep your fingers crossed for me.

for the local plod in the form of PC Doran on this one, hope you get a successful resolution to this.

Would love to have been a fly on the wall when he called at the house though.

 

[redcastle]

If you get the right copper theyre brilliant,
I got scammed on Ebay for 10 x xp pro COA licences £250 quid) chased and chased for nearly three weeks but no email replies and no paypal recourse cause I'd done a bank transfer.

Just so happened that I was doing a computer job for the local bobby and he said "give me his address Ive got a mate down in that manor, I'll get him to go and give him a knock"

two days later the licences arrived first class recorded.

best of luck sounds like youve got a good PC there

 

[Alts]

Any Solicitor's out there...?

Dear Mr. Shaw,



Thanks for the information below.



Considering all the information you have provided I would suggest the cheapest and quickest option would be to get your fellow BMW rider based in the Mansfield area to collect the parcel having arranged a mutually convenient time. The reason I suggest this is that if you enter into litigation it could take a long while to resolve and you would have to pay court fees and legal costs etc, not to mention the complications which can come with legal proceedings and the adversarial process. Hopefully this will bring an end to this matter and you can then rely on your friend to post the same to you or you can collect the same from him/her.



Another option available to you is to get a solicitor to write a letter asking for the exhaust to be delivered or ready for collection etc., within a certain amount of time failing which you will issue proceedings with the court, this may have the desired effect in making this individual come up with the goods, however, you would have to pay a solicitor to do this and if you can resolve the matter without further expenses I feel this would be the best course of action. Again, it is unlikely that you would recover this additional cost from this individual so you would be out of pocket.



You could commence proceedings in the small claims court, the small claims procedure was designed to allow litigants in person act for themselves without the need for solicitors. However, you would have to pay court fees and attend court if necessary to resolve. Practically, I do not know how this would work, are you permanently based in France? If you instructed a Solicitor to do this it is unlikely that you would recover anything like the amount charged as in the Small Claims Track costs are fixed. Once issued the case will follow a court timetable, after issue the Defendant is giving the opportunity to defend the claim, if he chooses to do this, this will draw the process out further, evidence will need to be exchanged and statements upon which you intend to rely filed, the Court will also list the same for a hearing to hear the claim and make a decision. As you can see this could take a while to resolve.



I hope this assists you.

Regards

Nicola Langton



-----Original Message-----
From: A. Shaw [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: 08 May 2006 19:03
To: nicola langton
Subject: Re: Test email



Miss Langton,



Yes, this is a valid e-mail address.

Just as a matter of information:

The parcel was seen by PC Doran of Mansfield/Kirkby-in -Ashfield last week at Mr. Chamberlains' home

(39, Edward Street, Kirkby-In-Ashfield, NG17 7JQ e-mail: [email protected]).

Mr. Chamberlain did make the effort to point out the various stickers showing that the parcel had originally been posted to France, but then returned to him in the UK following the delivery error.

He did not, however, make a point of mentioning to PC Doran #3056, the numerous e-mails sent either directly to him or via the ebay My Messages service, or those messages sent by other ebay members on my behalf.

This is the reason that PC Doran had offered to return to see Mr. Chamberlain, yet again. No news as of present, and I feel as though his enthusiasm us weakenning. This could, in my opinion, all be over in just the space of a couple of hours, if he were just to collect it.

The incident # , if needed, is 508656. Police station #: 01623 420999. Perhaps your a bit more diplomatic than I...?

I also have a fellow BMW rider contact living in the Mansfield area, who would be more than willing to collect the exhaust system, provided Mr. Chamberlain makes himself available. And another living at over 70 miles away is willing to do the same (old school bikers' spirit).

Parcel Farce are also very eager to settle my claim and have proposed collection and re-delivery provided three simple tasks are done:

1. Re-wrapping of the parcel so that none of the previous postage stickers are seen, while leaving them in place for the claim to follow.

2. Supply me with a collection address whereby between 09H00 and 16H00 the parcel can be collected.

3. Inform me of the number of parts included in the parcel, so that I can, in turn, inform Parcel Farce who will see to it that all of the Customs forms, etc. are accurately filled out.

Nothing at all complicated or painful.

Ah, one last thing: according to a member of the UK BMW forum that I belong to, Mr. Chamberlain is certainly planning on moving house (Devon or Cornwall..?) .

PC Doran, as well as the forum member living in the area have confirmed this with a photo of the house and the "For Sale" board in the font yard. This, I imagine, could complicate things....



Another lat thing: It is entirely the fault of Mr. Chamberlain?

It was, after all, the holding of the Royal Mail or Parcel Farce, here in France that originally made the delivery error.

I do have an e-mail from them actually admitting this.



Thanks, once again, for your thoughts.





Alts SHAW



P.S. Is it possible for me to ask the police for a copy of their incident report? And follow-ups?

----- Original Message -----

From: nicola langton

To: [email protected]

Sent: Monday, May 08, 2006 5:47 PM

Subject: Test email



Dear Mr. Shaw,



Please can you confirm that this is the correct email address and I will then provide my thoughts following our telephone conversation today re: non delivery of exhaust despite payment having been made by way of pay pal following a purchase made n ebay.



I await your response.



Yours sincerely



Nicola Langton

Trainee Solicitor




--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

 

[Alts]

SOS G/S continued… or … My “Bleating” Heart

Well, Folks, I don’t know how or why, but it seems as though I’ve managed to get enough of a stir out of Mr. Chamberlain as to receive the first reply in 2.5 months to my e-mails concerning the exhaust system. It’s not a very nice response, but a response nonetheless.
Here’s how things went:

----- Original Message -----
From: A. Shaw
To: Johnny Gruff
Sent: Thursday, May 11, 2006 10:05 AM
Subject: Fw: Exhaust
Hi again, John.
Just thought that I'd let you know the current status of things concerning the exhaust:
I spoke with Parcel Farce, again, and their offer of re-delivery is, and will always be, valid.
According to PC Doran, your principle pre-occupations seem to be loss of time and eventually any wages lost while waiting around for a Parcel Farce agent to show up.
I, and Parcel Farce, understand your worries, entirely.
So, in order to cause you the minimum amount of inconvenience possible, Parcel Farce have conceded to collect the exhaust at whatever location you designate, up until 17H30.
If you wish to leave it with your mother, your neighbour, or even PC Doran, himself, that's not a problem for them.
I also have one fella (BMW rider, like ourselves) willing to ride 70 miles (one way) from Market Deeping, to collect it on the weekend, if this suits you better; and another fella in Mansfield, itself, who could swing by your place. What could be more convenient, eh?
Parcel Farce have also consented to re-wrapping the parcel, so as to not put you out in any way, shape, or form. They'll even stick on the address and fill out the Customs' forms, too.
This means that the only thing left for you to do is to fix the time and the place for the rendezvous (just thought I'd throw in a little French there, for you).
Look forward to hearing from you again, John.
Alts SHAW


----- Original Message -----
From: Johnny Gruff
To: A. Shaw
Sent: Friday, May 12, 2006 10:27 PM
Subject: Re: Exhaust
At last, for all the bulls**t I have endured listening to your bleating, sending the plod round, annoying my friends you have now come up with a proper resolution, you know my address, send your mansfield buddy round to collect your cheque, regards jc.



----- Original Message -----
From: A. Shaw
To: Johnny Gruff
Cc: [email protected]
Sent: Sunday, May 14, 2006 7:24 PM
Subject: Re: Exhaust

Well, nice to hear from you again, John.

I must admit that I'm quite surprised to hear from you after nearly two and a half months of trying through various means: e-bay, e-mail, and yes, eventually the police, etc. but with absolutely no sign of life from your side in order to help me to sort out and recover my exhaust system, not many other options seemed available to me.

And I'm even more surprised at the tone and content of your last e-mail: Had you made any effort to find an easy and rapid solution to this problem last year, I don't honestly believe either of us would find ourselves in this situation, more than a year after the sale. Sorry to hear that satisfying a client isn't part of your mentality. I'm wondering if you’d not been paid for an item in as long a period of time whether you would actually have been as patient and understanding...? Intuition somehow tells me, "No."

As concerning the intervention of PC Doran: Again, with absolutely no sign of life from you, at all -- no replies to any of nearly two dozen e-mails, or e-bay messages, etc. what choice did you leave me with...? Surely, you didn't think that after over a years' worth of time, effort, and money invested on my part, and a proper solution finally coming to light in February 2006, that I would just simply walk away from what I had started? It's just simply not my style to walk away from something, John. Never has been.
In any case, there is/was nothing personal involved. I'm just an ordinary bloke looking to recover his goods, i.e. my exhaust system.

Another thing that astounded by in your recent e-mail is your offer to collect a cheque. It seems as though you may have misinterpreted my e-mail of 11 May 2006 (or any of my e-mails, for that matter), and have not, at any point, proposed the re-sale of the exhaust.
If I have somebody stop by your place, it is simply to collect my exhaust system, and nothing else. The exhaust, therefore, is not up for re-sale.
I hope that this clears up any and all eventual misunderstandings on your part.

As regarding me "annoying your friends": John, you and I had never met before the auction, and I seriously doubt that we have any friends in common. But, in the event that we do, I'm sure they wouldn't be put out in merely helping to put an end to this predicament.

Well anyway, John, I am, as always, looking forward to hearing from you concerning the time and date that I informed you of concerning the pickup of the exhaust system either by Parcel Force, or my party in the area, or if you want to drop it off with PC Doran... whatever suits. But let's just get it over with, please.

All the best, John.


Alts SHAW



End of e-mail correspondences



Again, I’d like to thank those who have been supportive of my efforts and let’s hope that a quick and easy outcome comes of this. Suggestions or opinions are appreciated.

Alts