Real or no real... trailer scam?

[SilverLinings]

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?

If trailers were that cheap at auction then other people would be doing it too, and the average market price would be lower. If you were legit (bearing in mind he is running a business and not a charity) even if you bought very cheaply why would you sell for half the price of anywhere else, doing yourself out of hundreds or thousands of pounds on ever sale? It makes no business sense- people would then just buy off you and sell them on for a profit.

If this is a scam then it could be that your deposit is stolen and there is no trailer, or that the trailers are cheap because they are stolen.

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

Which is interesting as on CH there is only one person listed as having involvement in the company, and when they last filed earlier this year they said they had 0 employees. If the guy you are dealing with has said he is the owner then it is definitely dodgy (unless he bought the company in the last two weeks and is in the process of changing the registration, but that looks unlikely).

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?

He may have done that, but as he has set up a website and not just a facebook page I think it is unlikely. CH has a problem with fraudsters registering with them to appear legitimate. You need to provide a UK postal address to register with CH but you don't need to prove that you are connected with that address.

There have been multiple cases reported in the press of innocent people being inundated with bills, HMRC demands, letters from debt collectors and visits from bailiffs just because some nasty person has used their address to register on CH. There are calls for registration to be stricter, and to have formal checks on address. The system has been particularly abused by fraudsters abroad who use registration to pretend to be a legitimate UK business.

And when people get caught and the 'business' shut down they often pop up again with a new company name and a relative named as the company Director on a new CH listing.

 

[irishdraft]

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?

It would have been on FB somewhere, I'm on loads of trailer groups as I'm looking for a trailer but there are so many scammers especially on marketplace that I have decided it's better to go with a local dealer even tho it might be a bit more expensive you know your hopefully safe with the purchase.

 

[Widgeon]

If you are also needing to sell a trailer OP, could you sell it to a trusted dealership? The one near us (URO near York) collects from all over the country and there must be plenty of other legit businesses that do the same. I know you'd get a bit less but at least you wouldn't have the hassle.

 

[neverenoughtea]

If you are also needing to sell a trailer OP, could you sell it to a trusted dealership? The one near us (URO near York) collects from all over the country and there must be plenty of other legit businesses that do the same. I know you'd get a bit less but at least you wouldn't have the hassle.

ah thanks @Widgeon I will look them up as I really do need to sell it and fed up with scammers and no-shows

 

[Widgeon]

ah thanks @Widgeon I will look them up as I really do need to sell it and fed up with scammers and no-shows

They're a good business - fair and easy to deal with IME. As @irishdraft says, when I bought my trailer I just went straight to them rather than trying to pick my way through the many scammers and iffy trailers in the private sale world.

 

[Pedantic]

Stuff that deposit crap, payment after satisfactory viewing or rock on, if I was totally hell bent on it, I may risk £50.00 upfront to show I'm not a timewaster, no more.

 

[Dellyish]

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 ;-)

I'm in the same position, I have done the research but the site only comes up if you search the phone number etc. I want to believe but I don't.

 

[Widgeon]

30% deposit seems a lot. I've just fished out my trailer's paperwork for other reasons, and I paid a £200 deposit - that works out at about 8%. I'd be a bit suspicious of anyone asking for a deposit as big as 30%.

 

[NightStock]

Google image search and I think I have found the actual site they took the photos from? Good thing you listened to your gut and checked first.

Used Horse Trailers - West House Trailers | Second Hand Horse Trailers

We stock a large range of Ifor Williams Horse Trailers. Serving Newcastle Upon Tyne, Middlesbrough, Sunderland and throughout the North East of England.

www.westhousetrailers.co.uk

 

[Dellyish]

I found them advertised as being in Reading by a bloke with 1 FB friend/new profile and was then called by a bloke from Manchester claiming all the trailers were in Shropshire. I asked if I could have a friend swing by and he said not before next Thursday. Why would anyone sell stuff for less than it is worth? I feel violated and I didn't even succumb.