Real or no real... trailer scam?

[neverenoughtea]

Hi all,

After some advice, I have spotted an HBX511 trailer on this website (it was advertised through Facebook), deal seems too good to be true. But I have spoken with the guy over the phone, the company is registered on Companies House, the address lines up... they offer 12 months warranty and free delivery in this price too...

Has anyone heard of them? Or anyone local who can pop in and find out if they are legit?! I'm about 5 hours drive away but considering driving down to collect so no need for a deposit - thing is if it is a scam then that's a lonnnnnnng wasted drive!

A few alarm bells:
30% deposit needed to secure sale but must be BACS - rest to be paid BACS on delivery (ie no PayPal so how would I know my money is secure if this was a scam?)
He wouldn't give me the serial number over the phone in case I was a scammer and used it on a stolen trailer

They send out an invoice before any deposit taken, there is a bill of sale afterwards.

I don't know - any thoughts?

https://www.trailer-plant.com/

ps please don't buy the trailer I'm after ;-)

 

[Boughtabay]

Seems too good to be true to me & looks like the digger that’s on there for £8540 is also on eBay for £14500 (using the same photographs) - so I assume it’s a scam!

 

[SilverLinings]

I don't know anything about the company I'm afraid, but be aware that being registered with Companies House certainly does not prevent them from being a fraudster. Is the registered UK address a proper address, rather than a PO box (even this can be dodgy though as plenty of scammers just use a random house address as their registered address so debtors can't chase them)? Check to see if the Director and other named officers of the company have been/are linked to any other companies; if they are linked to a number of companies that no longer exist then be suspicious.

I had a quick look on the site via the link you posted and the prices seem very low compared to elsewhere, so I can certainly see why you are concerned. I recently had to check the value of my IW trailer for insurance renewal and having looked at many of the same age and spec currently up for sale I came up with an average replacement cost (and the insurance company still felt I was on the low side)- that website lists the same trailer as mine for just above half the average value I came up with after research.

I would be concerned that either they are so cheap because they are damaged, or were seriously damaged and have been repaired -in this case I would want it checked by an independent mechanic/specialist- or that they have been acquired from dodgy sources. If he won't give you the chassis number in advance then if you go DO NOT buy the trailer without checking the number isn't linked to a stolen vehicle. Also check that it doesn't look like it has been tampered with.

It could be a legitimate sale and company, but I would be very interested to know how they can make a profit selling below market value, especially as they don't have masses of stock.

 

[[153312]]

cant find anything except the companies house listing and the very sparse and frankly amateurish website, can't find anything on facebook or linked in for the director and the insistence on BACS makes me wary. I'd ask why they don't do paypal or cash, and check the equine scammers groups (post anonymously).

 

[SilverLinings]

When I bought my trailer (new, I bought it in 2018) I looked at new and second hand and visited four dealerships and they were all happy to take payment via cash, debit or credit card (which I used in order to have protection). It does seem odd that this company only wants payment via BACS.

 

[[153312]]

the monies filed don't make sense with the prices of their 'products'. sorry but I think avoid; better to be safe than sorry

 

[SilverLinings]

the monies filed don't make sense with the prices of their 'products'. sorry but I think avoid; better to be safe than sorry

Yes, looking at their accounts either it's a failing and badly run business or he is somehow sourcing stock at exceptionally low prices (as in only a few hundred pounds or less per item based on the number of items currently for sale on the website). Unless he just happens to have almost no stock at the end of his financial years (for both years he has filed statements) which would be an unusual coincidence. The other possibility is that he doesn't actually own the trailers etc and is actually acting as an agent for sellers/another person, but the website doesn't say that.

 

[Britestar]

No idea re this company, but defo be cautious.

I have just been scammed by a company that I did all the due diligence on.

Checked on companies house - trading for 13 yrs. Checked vat number. Checked address and cross checked in variety of different ways.

Checked for any negative reviews, and so much more.

Still a bunch of scammers. Have lost a significant amount of money, and is now in the hands of the banks and police, praying I get some of it back.

 

[neverenoughtea]

You lot are fantastic sleuths!! So he said that he buys cheap at auctions, gets the trailers serviced and then sells on, and says he makes enough money that way.

I also forgot to tell you I asked if he could send me a video of the trailer last week which he did but it had no audio. So on the suggestion of a friend I asked that he could send me another but this time say my name and a description as he walked around the trailer and this seemed to stump him a little, he said he would have to go and pull it out off the yard and do that but wouldn't be until tomorrow. I said fine I am in no rush. As I write this all down it sounds a bit ridiculous doesn't it?! Must be a scam.

@Britestar I'm so sorry to hear that - this is what I have the absolute fear about. Was it a similar situation, ie sent deposit and no trailer showed up?

 

[Britestar]

You lot are fantastic sleuths!! So he said that he buys cheap at auctions, gets the trailers serviced and then sells on, and says he makes enough money that way.

I also forgot to tell you I asked if he could send me a video of the trailer last week which he did but it had no audio. So on the suggestion of a friend I asked that he could send me another but this time say my name and a description as he walked around the trailer and this seemed to stump him a little, he said he would have to go and pull it out off the yard and do that but wouldn't be until tomorrow. I said fine I am in no rush. As I write this all down it sounds a bit ridiculous doesn't it?! Must be a scam.

@Britestar I'm so sorry to hear that - this is what I have the absolute fear about. Was it a similar situation, ie sent deposit and no trailer showed up?

Wasn't a trailer but something else that failed to be delivered.

 

[neverenoughtea]

The chap listed on Companies House as the Director is not the same name as either of the people I have been speaking with/messaging (who could in fact be the same person...). Advert was originally on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/marketplac...ghtspeed_banner&referralCode=messenger_banner

 

[neddy man]

He is 73 years old not connected with any other companies, states an agent, so may not even be on his premises, do you get a receipt from him or the owner, will he give you the owners name so you can ring them before you buy, do you collect from his premises or the owners, if you go there check the chassis number with Ifor William's before ANY money changes hands, check with IW that it's never been accident damaged or down as stolen, make sure receipt shows full address and full details of the trailer. The old saying "to good to be true" is a very wise one.

 

[neddy man]

T&P is down south of Shrewsbury the f book ad #11 says location Connset near Newcastle just a couple of hundred miles apart. I think we are all making 4+4=5

 

[Muddy unicorn]

Hi all,

After some advice, I have spotted an HBX511 trailer on this website (it was advertised through Facebook), deal seems too good to be true. But I have spoken with the guy over the phone, the company is registered on Companies House, the address lines up... they offer 12 months warranty and free delivery in this price too...

Has anyone heard of them? Or anyone local who can pop in and find out if they are legit?! I'm about 5 hours drive away but considering driving down to collect so no need for a deposit - thing is if it is a scam then that's a lonnnnnnng wasted drive!

A few alarm bells:
30% deposit needed to secure sale but must be BACS - rest to be paid BACS on delivery (ie no PayPal so how would I know my money is secure if this was a scam?)
He wouldn't give me the serial number over the phone in case I was a scammer and used it on a stolen trailer

They send out an invoice before any deposit taken, there is a bill of sale afterwards.

I don't know - any thoughts?

https://www.trailer-plant.com/

ps please don't buy the trailer I'm after ;-)

If you’re anywhere around the midlands I can recommend a very good trailer dealer - they’ve got plenty of 511s in stock

 

[irishdraft]

I haven't read replies but I think this is a very dodgy company, I've been looking for a trailer and I read some damning stuff about them.

 

[neddy man]

I've just looked at a trailer dealer near me in South Yorkshire his 511 are nowhere near as low. He as 6x 511s and the cheapest is £6,850 I think that means 4+4=5

 

[neverenoughtea]

T&P is down south of Shrewsbury the f book ad #11 says location Connset near Newcastle just a couple of hundred miles apart. I think we are all making 4+4=5

I noticed that too and the guy said that because the deliver nationwide they advertise nationwide too...

 

[neverenoughtea]

I haven't read replies but I think this is a very dodgy company, I've been looking for a trailer and I read some damning stuff about them.

ah I haven't known anyone who has heard of them - I knew it was all too good to be true. Would be interested to read about them if you happen to know where you read it. Quite tempted to play their game now and just waste their time - can't stand scammers! How do we go about reporting people like this?

 

[TheChestnutThing]

It’s a scam.

I was looking a few weeks back and also called and spoke to them, they also wanted a deposit and to deliver. When I said I wasn’t worried about the deposit (didn’t care if I lost the trailer to someone else), and to please send me address as was told it was 20 miles away, I was ghosted.

It was the same trailer (exact same one, same photos and everything), but a different website.

 

[I'm Dun]

Its a scam. You always need to check their actual profile. Hes just joined FB, huge red flag there! The location is different to the ad, another red flag, he has one friend, a third red flag. his other adverts vary in location, fourth red flag, the photos in his horse trailer ads all show the same background despite supposedly being in different areas, the plant trailer ads are in the same location as each other, but different to the horse trailer. Reverse image search indicates the photos are stolen.

And finally, no trader underprices stuff because he gets it cheap!

Ask to go now and pick up and pay cash. A legit trader would be delighted, I strongly suspect he wont be able to do this for some reason.

 

[neddy man]

Have a friend / relative / hhoer contact via fb say they are coming up to relatives in Newcastle at weekend and can they come and view it? See what his comment is, as said earlier director of t&p is not same as nane on fb advert. I think it's time to look elsewhere .

 

[neverenoughtea]

It’s a scam.

I was looking a few weeks back and also called and spoke to them, they also wanted a deposit and to deliver. When I said I wasn’t worried about the deposit (didn’t care if I lost the trailer to someone else), and to please send me address as was told it was 20 miles away, I was ghosted.

It was the same trailer (exact same one, same photos and everything), but a different website.

So glad I asked here. Any idea how to go about reporting stuff like this? Assume he's just pinched the name (Trailer and Plant) and there is a legit trader who's identity is being used?

 

[neverenoughtea]

Its a scam. You always need to check their actual profile. Hes just joined FB, huge red flag there! The location is different to the ad, another red flag, he has one friend, a third red flag. his other adverts vary in location, fourth red flag, the photos in his horse trailer ads all show the same background despite supposedly being in different areas, the plant trailer ads are in the same location as each other, but different to the horse trailer. Reverse image search indicates the photos are stolen.

And finally, no trader underprices stuff because he gets it cheap!

Ask to go now and pick up and pay cash. A legit trader would be delighted, I strongly suspect he wont be able to do this for some reason.

Look at that - my dad is in the area and can pop in ;-) let's see what their response is!

 

[neddy man]

As tct says to many oddities, one is trailer- plant the other is trailer and plant. On Google earth it doesn't look like the photos on the web page or the fb page.

 

[TheChestnutThing]

So glad I asked here. Any idea how to go about reporting stuff like this? Assume he's just pinched the name (Trailer and Plant) and there is a legit trader who's identity is being used?

There are so many of them! I lost count of the number of people I messaged about trailers (many where just bog standard old 510’s) and they were pretty much all scams.

 

[Boughtabay]

there are plenty of them making money off simply collecting deposits. I got my early 2000s IW 505 in good clean condition for more than the 2009 trailer on that website 2 years ago they were v good to deal with, delivered to deepest darkest wales, and trailer is in great nick even if it is a bit old. If you’re looking for something at a lower price point I’ll have a look for their details.

 

[neverenoughtea]

So after saying my dad could pop up with payment tomorrow apparently he would need to book in for an appointment and they can't book him in until 11:30am on Monday

 

[neverenoughtea]

there are plenty of them making money off simply collecting deposits. I got my early 2000s IW 505 in good clean condition for more than the 2009 trailer on that website 2 years ago they were v good to deal with, delivered to deepest darkest wales, and trailer is in great nick even if it is a bit old. If you’re looking for something at a lower price point I’ll have a look for their details.

thanks @Boughtabay but i have also had my eye on a Cheval Liberte Touring which is local and I have been to see so I think I will go for that - it's such a minefield out there! Trying to sell my HB401 at the same time and had sooo many scammers and timewasters/no shows

 

[Roxylola]

So after saying my dad could pop up with payment tomorrow apparently he would need to book in for an appointment and they can't book him in until 11:30am on Monday

Bet it "sells" before then

 

[Tracking_up]

Edited, as different company....

But if it's too good to be true, it probably is. be cautious, be very cautious

local trailer company in the midlands has had their website and business thrashed by a scammer using a similar web name , with merely an inserted '-' to be different - and people have paid over £1000's for Ifor etc trailers which are nothing to do with the legit business (that make smaller farming trailers)