Car taken under mysterious circumstances.

[Ripley]

Two things have happened recently that may or may not be connected; first, not so strange, a bailiffs company has contacted me over an unpaid parking fine with the local council. I thought I had paid it - but maybe not. They threaten me with removal of goods, including vehicles, possibly when I am not there. Well, OK; I will contact the council, check the position out, probably pay them if I must.

 

However, the second thing is that on Monday at about 10.45 am , my daughter rang me at work to say that men with a truck had removed my car, an old Metro worth no more than £350 or so from outside my house. They did not call at the door; they left no paperwork; they have not contacted me since. The Police, the DVLA and the council have no knowledge of the whereabouts of the car, which was taxed, tested and insured. It was not the vehicle which had been given the ticket many months ago. My conclusion is that it has been stolen - I have informed the police and started an insurance claim. But, it is a bit of a bizarre crime for a professional crew with a specialised truck to nick an old metro. Could it have been bailiffs? Could it possibly be legal for them to do that without issuing any warning, showing any i.d, making any contact? I would like an opinion before I enquire of them.

[falcon185]

Hi,

personally speaking? I wouldnt contact them at all, I would continue with the insurance claim, if it was Bailiffs that took it let them explain to the police, Magistrate and insurance company why no contact was made or documentation left in relation to the removal of the vehicle should any investigation lead to them.

[tomtubby]

It is very likely to have been the bailiff co....but I am shocked if it is. This is because very few...if any bailiff companies that I know would bother to do this with a vehicle worth the amount that you have stated.

 

The cost in bailiff time, tow truck costs , storage fees and eventual auction entry fees far outweigh the cost of the vehicle.

 

The bailiff knows that he is breaking the law in not leaving a Notice of Seizure of Goods & Inventory and for this reason I would suggest that you follow the good advice of Falcon.....but do please let us all know how this develops.

[Ripley]

Apparently, nothing to do with an bailiffs-just an opportunistic theft. The car was taken to a local scrapyard and scrapped within half an hour of removal. The scrapyard is obliged to notify the DVLA when they scrap a car - they did, and it came up stolen. DVLA told the police, who told me. The thieves left a name and adress with the scrapyard for what its worth -plod will investigate further.

So, a perfectly good car gets scrapped and I get, probably £200.00 after my excess, and lose my NCD. It amazes me -this was a high-risk operation in broad daylight. The thieves probably got £100 to share four ways.

Do we have to fit ground anchors in the street now?

[kermit2482]

Isn't it amazing just how quickly you are prepared to blame a bailiffs company!!!!! Anyway for the record i am just as shocked at this its really obsurd and i wish you luck with your insurance company

[Goldlady]

Well someone stole an old bike and two wrought iron gates from my friend's garden a few weeks ago, took them away in broad daylight in a large van. And scrap men tried to take my burnt out tumble dryer which had been outside for 24 hours; the guy sent to take it back for investigation just managed to stop them:o. I would be gutted if someone took my old car for scrap.

[tonycee]

Isn't it amazing just how quickly you are prepared to blame a bailiffs company!!!!!

 

Self induced through years of abusing the system.

 

Im more amazed that it wasnt the bailiffs.

 

 

 

 

.

Edited July 10, 2008 by tonycee
cant spell

[miaow99]

How very odd. Seems like a very pointless crime.

 

Maybe they had an irrational hatred of Metros:confused:

 

Sorry to hear about that.

[tonycee]

How very odd. Seems like a very pointless crime.

 

Maybe they had an irrational hatred of Metros

 

 

Or maybe they were just practising before becoming bailiffs.

[falcon185]

Isn't it amazing just how quickly you are prepared to blame a bailiffs company!!!!! Anyway for the record i am just as shocked at this its really obsurd and i wish you luck with your insurance company

 

Hi Kermit,

if you read the OP initial post Ripley didnt actually blame Bailiffs, he asked " could it have been bailiffs?" not apportioning the blame on anyone in particular, just a question to which he had no answer to at the time, initial inquiries now prove it to be theft of a motor vehicle.

[Ripley]

True, Falcon. Just fishing for a plausible explanation for a strange event.

[falcon185]

Just a thought Ripley,

but seeing as they never carried out the relevant checks prior to scrapping the vehicle, ( in 30 mins ) how about claiming compensation from the scrapyard? Might save your no claims bonus?

Edited July 11, 2008 by falcon185

[kermit2482]

Or maybe they were just practising before becoming bailiffs.

 

 

You seem to have real issues with bailiffs, but hey ho i wont lose any sleep over it and will bid you a good evening :grin:

[kermit2482]

Hi Kermit,

if you read the OP initial post Ripley didnt actually blame Bailiffs, he asked " could it have been bailiffs?" not apportioning the blame on anyone in particular, just a question to which he had no answer to at the time, initial inquiries now prove it to be theft of a motor vehicle.

 

Fair point, thanks

[falcon185]

No problem

[tonycee]

You seem to have real issues with bailiffs, but hey ho i wont lose any sleep over it and will bid you a good evening :grin:

 

All i hear is you wallowing in self pity because we are fighting back.

[Ripley]

I must unreservedly apoligise for implying that bailiffs would ever improperly or illegally remove a car. If any baillif's self esteem has been damaged in any way, or if they should need counselling or psychotherapy as a result of what I posted, I can only regret that I have wronged a member of a profession that sensitively provides an invaluable public service in the face of misunderstanding from the general public.

 

happy kermit?

[falcon185]

That should do it Ripley;)

[tonycee]

I must unreservedly apologize for implying that bailiffs would ever improperly or illegally remove a car. If any bailiff's self esteem has been damaged in any way, or if they should need counselling or psychotherapy as a result of what I posted, I can only regret that I have wronged a member of a profession that sensitively provides an invaluable public service in the face of misunderstanding from the general public.

 

happy Kermit?

 

 

 

 

Well said that man.

 

When are these self professed "saviours" of the debt repayment industry going to realise that we dont actually give a s**t what they think.

 

We can continue to grow in strength and knowledge without their inteference.

[kermit2482]

I can understand some of your grievances dont get me wrong here as YES i have seen some bad examples but to be fair not many compared with all the bailiffs i have worked with, in the main people have a problem with authority and any body that has authority of any description will always be targeted by the likes of this forum, sometimes warranted and sometimes not so i dont take your remarks personally.

 

Its the nature of the beast i guess, anyhow im still happy in the knowledge that what i personally do is correct and i do it in a professional manner and to me thats all that concerns me, have a nice day now

[Ripley]

To counter my outburst of sarcasm, consider this. My current bailiff problems started with a parking ticket. I was visiting a client (I am a social worker) on my motorbike. I parked in a resident's parking bay in the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. Unlike my own Borough, you have to display a permit to do this in Tower Hamlets. I did not know this; yes I should have checked. I thought I was still in Hackney; I should have consulted a map. Yes, I was sure I had paid the damn ticket when I hadn't; and suddenly i've got someone threatening action which intimidates me and, more seriously my wife and children- I have two daughters in their early teens who are quite likely to be at home when the bailiffs come. I have promised to pay the vast sum -£590- to which the penalty has now grown, on Tuesday when I am paid. The company agreed to this. This did not stop a bailiff atatching a bright yellow clamp to my bike while I was away for a couple of days Friday and Saturday.

So, none of this seems to make much sense when I am just someone doing my job, who fell foul of inconsistent and illogical parking regulations, causing no obstruction and taking no-one's space.

Bailiffs do a necessary job sometimes; I suppose no-one would pay for anything if they weren't there as the ultimate sanction. And social workers are sometimes misunderstood as well. But If I really can't see the intimidatory crap I am currently experiencing as in any way a logical or proportionate consequence of my motorbike occupying a small piece of ground that noibody else wanted for an hour or so last year - and, yes, my own forgetfullness - then you won't be too surprised.

[kermit2482]

Why on earth have they clamped your motorbike when you have already agreed to pay when you get paid?? im sorry but if this is factually correct im now beginning to understand why this industry has such a bad name, All i can say though is that some bailiffs are still decent human beings, however i can now see why we are ever more treated as ****!!

[WWOW]

The bailiffs I have come across fall into to two main categories.

 

1. Its the only job available to them

2. The get a buzz out of confrontation

[kermit2482]

The bailiffs I have come across fall into to two main categories.

 

1. Its the only job available to them

2. The get a buzz out of confrontation

 

 

WWOW you seem like a decent enough person, trust me here the only reason i got in to this job is because i own a business and its not taking the money it used to, i have a four year lease and cant get out of it, therefore this job is basicly paying for my business to survive, sad but true im afraid which is why i always do my best to treat people the way i wish to be treated, however having said that i will enforce warrants when people have extracted the urine shall i say, im a firm believer in giving people a chance first though.

 

I can honestly say i have letters and indeed thank you cards saying how thankful people are that i dealt with their situation in a sympathetic manner, i dont expect you to believe me nor the cinics on this forum, however i know it to be fact so im happy within myself.

 

Who knows maybe 1 day i can leave the job and hopefully get a job in the oil and gas industry which is what i really want but these things take courses to be completed and qualifications which im on the way to getting

[tonycee]

im now beginning to understand why this industry has such a bad name, All i can say though is that some bailiffs are still decent human beings, however i can now see why we are ever more treated as ****!!

 

You are kidding right ?

You questioned my issue with bailiffs.

Lets say, overcharged by £2k, ruined marriage, ( it was over 3 years )

brink of bankruptcy, and edge of repossession.

You have no idea and this isnt my thread so,