Chas E Smith Bankrupt?? well they've got my money! if they've got yours read this

[phantomferret]

Around the 18th March 2011 I bought two sets of gloves, value £52, from the outdoor clothing company Chas e Smith <modded> The gloves never arrived.
I emailed them 6 times but never had a reply. Over the last 4 weeks I've been trying to call them but their phone number comes up as not recognised
I did a little more digging and found the landlords of the unit from which Chas E Smith operate(d)and they told me that the directors had "done a flit" owing many thousands of pounds in rent. They also said that the unit was now let out to new owners who had changed the telephone line which is why I couldn't get through on <modded>
A local member of another forum said that the name over the door has changed "slightly" but the unit is still trading so I'm now not sure if the landlords are complicit in the cover up.

I called my local police who came to take my statement last Friday but said that they wouldn't do anything as they've taken the "strategic decision" that internet fraud has to be dealt with by the police local to the company and I need to talk to them. They also said I should talk to Hampshire trading standards.
The following is publicly available information from companies house that you will need if you also want to make a complaint to the local police and/or Hampshire trading standards on 01622 626503. If you do please post your results here.
The company is a trading name of Appo leasure Limited - Company Registration no: 3542208 VAT Registered: 717 4975 02
<modded>

Update 4 July

I've now spoken to my local police and Hampshire police and Trading standards who are all progressing in different ways.

In addition I found out that Appo leasure have had a compulsory strike off order suspended on 3rd June which leads me to believe that they intend to keep trading.

I've traced Ian Aplin's (alias Appo Leasure) accountants who are <modded> and this morning I spoke to Mr Holmes (who personally handles the affairs of Appo) he couldn't pass on Aplin's contact number but he confirmed that Appo Leasure was still a legitamate legal entity and he said he would take my number and complaint details and pass it on to Ian Aplin.

Update 5th July

Still no response from Ian Aplin

 

[Wayland]

If you paid by credit card you should be able to recover your money through them.

 

[nigeltm]

Is it worth checking out the Companies House info on the new business at the unit? It may turn out to be the same owners but a different holding company who bought the business at a knock down price and left the business' debts with the old holding company. There may be an option for Trading Standards to take action against the Alpins personally, as they may still be operating but under a different holding company name. It's not likely to get your money back but at least you'll get some satisfaction and it may stop them ripping off someone else.

Something similar happened to me a few years ago (although I lost out thousands on a car!), where the "old" company was reborn with a limited status and all debts written off. Went through the small claims court, had a CCJ against the business, sent in the baliffs and it all turned out to be pointless, as the original business which owed me a few grand no longer existed. Sorry, not really all that relevant but it still makes my pi** boil!

 

[phantomferret]

updated today

 

[salad]

I grew up in Romsey, they used to be a good army shop, I used to buy pocket knives from them about 25 years ago when I was 13 . Its a sign of the times , I hope you get your money back mate

 

[phantomferret]

This is an open question to the person who yesterday anonymously removed the landlords name and contact details in my first post.

As I posted above, a local member of another forum said that the name over the door has changed "slightly" but the unit is still trading, this would make the landlords complicit in assisting Ian Aplin to set up a phoenix operation wipe out his Debts (my money) and start again.
If this is the case then their details should remain in this post.
You must know of the landlords for them to be able to contact you with such a request and you must be sympathetic to them to act on it.
Can you please identify and explain your reason for your action.

 

[phantomferret]

Does anyone live local to this place? if you're passing could you look in to see if it's still stocked up as an outdoor shop. Cheers

 

[phantomferret]

This is an open question to the person who yesterday anonymously removed the landlords name and contact details in my first post.

As I posted above, a local member of another forum said that the name over the door has changed "slightly" but the unit is still trading, this would make the landlords complicit in assisting Ian Aplin to set up a phoenix operation wipe out his Debts (my money) and start again.
If this is the case then their details should remain in this post.
You must know of the landlords for them to be able to contact you with such a request and you must be sympathetic to them to act on it.
Can you please identify and explain your reason for your action.

Still waiting for a reply please

 

[phantomferret]

Today I got an email back from Chas e Smith accountants it was from Arthur Holmes of Holmes & Co.

Quoting from his email he said;

"By your own admission, Appo sent the goods, but they were never delivered, and this is because they have been lost by Parcelforce. Clearly Appo should have made a claim on Parcelforce, and not dealing with the matter, if they are aware of the situation, is not acceptable.

We have attempted, on your behalf, to contact Mr Aplin, but, regrettably, so far without any success.

By the tone of your email you are implying Appo have committed fraud, and you have made a further unsubstantiated implication that the company's landlords could be complicit in setting-up a phoenix company. These comments are verging on libel, and you should seriously consider your position with regard to this matter.

If Mr Aplin contacts this office we will of course pass on your comments and your complaint.

Yours sincerely,

Arthur Holmes "

I have replied tonight with;

"Dear Mr Holmes,

Thank you for your reply. After our brief conversation the point of my letter was to clarify things for you writing so there can be no doubt as to the nature of my grievance against Aplin.

I'm pleased that you think their behaviour was not acceptable and I can guarrantee they are aware of the issue, in fact I will send the email trail by separate email. Incidentally I sent another email via the still active Chas e Smith site yesterday and got a holding response.

You accuse me of implying fraud, personally I would think it's closer to theft but both the police and trading standards directed me to talk to the internet fraud dept of the police. Not being an expert in law on these matters I will leave it for the police to decide upon what law has been broken, I just want my money back.

In respect of the landlords, I spoke to one of the Pratts and he told me, quote;
"they (Aplin) have done a moonlight flit and they owe us quite a few thousand pounds, I don't think you'll see your money again and the reason you can't get through on that old number is because I've rented the unit out to a new tennant now"

Now, I thought that was an ok conversation and thought nothing more of it but a member of one of the sites I posted this info on has suggested to me that the unit may still be open and/or trading and/or a stock holding point for Aplin. If this is true (and I'm trying to find that out now) then the only conclusion to be drawn is that the Landlord lied to me and would therefore be complicit and the police will be informed. If it's not true then I will happilly delete that part of my post from the net

I am disheartened that you have taken such a defensive stance on behalf of your client, particularly that you have told me that my comments are verging on libel that I should seriously consider my position with regard to this matter. Again as a lay person I'm not too up on the law here, could you please clarify for me if this was a veiled threat?

As you are activley acting for Aplin I would be obliged if you could email him this email and the other thread email to make him aware of his disgruntled customer.

In the mean time I shall update trading standards and the police with your contact details and your response today. "

Yours faithfully etc

 

[phantomferret]

Still waiting for a reply please

Still waiting for a reply as to why details of landlord P G & U Pratt - <modded> was removed from my original post. a PM will suffice

 

[phantomferret]

Update, Today I got this further reply from Chas E Smith's accountants, Holmes and Co of Romsey


"Thank you for your email of the 6th July 2011.

You appear to make assertions which you are currently unable to verify as towards their correctness.

You have implied that Appo Leisure Ltd are committing fraud, even when you know the goods have been sent to you, and you have drawn Messrs. Pr,att into your perceived 'Web of deceit'. In addition, you have assumed that I am actively acting for Mr Aplin simply because I replied to your email which was addressed to me. Did you expect me to ignore your email?

Contained in my email was advice regarding your implications/assertions, and you have seen this as a veiled threat.

You have no reason to be disappointed. I have done what I said I would do with regard to trying to contact Ian Aplin, currently to no avail. I see no point in sending him your emails, you should do that yourself.

I really cannot see why trading standards and the police would want to contact me, however please do so if this will help with your blood-pressure!!

In summary, I have done all that I can, and see no point in continuing this correspondence.

As I have previously written, I will pass on your comments/complaint IF Ian Aplin contacts this office.

Yours sincerely etc"

I replied as follows


"Arthur,
You told me in our previous telephoneconversation that he had recieved an offer for his stock so you are obviously in regular contact with Aplin. Your staff have told me that you are acting for him and by the flavour of your response to me today you appear to be activley protecting the interestss of Ian Aplin.

Let me answer your latest allegations "his words in speech marks"


"You appear to make assertions which you are currently unable to verify as towards their correctness. "

I'm working on this, but there is obviousley no help or clarification from you on this. The landlord implication will be resolved as I now have people local to the site reporting back to me. I note that you are also local, are you telling me that you don't know what is going on? I don't think so!! Very profesional!!

"You have implied that Appo Leisure Ltd are committing fraud, even when you know the goods have been sent to you."

No, as I said in my earlier email, I think it's theft, can't you read and digest my correspondance? is there a competence issue here? would you like me to type more slowly? In summary Aplin owes me iether 2 pairs of sealskinz gloves or the £52 I paid for them.

"You have drawn Messrs. PG&U PRATT into your perceived 'Web of deceit'. "
Yes, they are a concern to me. Althought their story to me was initially believable, I have other opposing information and without evidence to the contrary I believe they may be complicit in this. They have found a way to contact one of the ten websites I am posting this story on and they complained and have had their details removed from that site. Significantly they havent given any assurance that their relationship with Aplin has ended, and neither have you. You seem to be taking a disproportionate interest in the Pratts welfare in this, are you protecting them also, I'm only asking, maybe you can lay this to rest in your next response.

"Contained in my email was advice regarding your implications/assertions, and you have seen this as a veiled threat."

Yes!!! You are a professional acting for your client, I'm just a bloke who is owed 2 pairs of gloves or his £52 back! and I took your last email as a threat. Was it? you haven't answered me yet.

"You have no reason to be disappointed. I have done what I said I would do with regard to trying to contact Ian Aplin, currently to no avail. I see no point in sending him your emails, you should do that yourself."

I'd love to Arthur, just give me his email address, better still his phone number.

Are you not forwarding him this data so that, down the line, he can claim to his creditors that he didn't know about this? answer me this; is APPO still a legal entity, are you still representing them? THEN GIVE ME MY £52 POUNDS BACK

let me tell you that over 4700 people are now following our every word on the 10 sites I am posting this story. I will continue to link Ian Aplin, and any future companies he starts, with the way I have been treated. By the tone of your responses Arthur I am including you in that story.

"I really cannot see why trading standards and the police would want to contact me."

Really? you do yourself an injustice.

"In summary, I have done all that I can and see no point in continuing this correspondence."

Us geordies are a little lacking in our grasp of grammatical finese so I'm just asking, but is that southern white collar management twaddle for;
" I'm protecting my client and I'm not going to help you, we've got your money so **** off!"
Can you please clarify.

"As I have previously written, I will pass on your comments/complaint IF Ian Aplin contacts this office."

Oh I admire your proactivity Mr <modded>, I bet you'd be a little more pro active if it was your £52.

Yours sincerely
The mouse that roared

 

[789987]

 

[cerbera]

Nice work. No point in making it easy for them

 

[Robbi]

good for you PF, i wish you luck mate

 

[nitrambur]

Seems to me you're confusing someone who adds a few numbers in a book with a legal representative of the company. Maybe you should find out who their solicitor is, or their milkman he's probably easier to chase.

 

[Ahjno]

This is an open question to the person who yesterday anonymously removed the landlords name and contact details in my first post.

<snip>

Can you please identify and explain your reason for your action.

Your thread was modded by the owner of this website. He doesn't owe you any explanation regarding the 'why' he modded your post. But normally it's because something wasn't in line with the rules & regs. This time it's clearly visible why he modded your thread. See bottom first post: "Last edited by".
You also don't re-instate the info that's removed by a mod or admin. It's removed for a reason. I removed it again.

This thread is locked, as I think you've had your rant and stop your crusade here on this open forum. I hope things work out for you and you get your money back.