The Last Post
Well, how do I sum all of this mayhem up?
It falls to me to call time on 51 pages, 1000+ replies and well over 57,000 views. I'll do it to the best of my ability and those of you who know me can be assured I'll retain the usual fashion.
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I do apologise for having so little input on the topic.
Everytime I looked into this it sickened me into using my energies elsewhere. Serious thanks go to the site staff for keeping things as controlled as they have. I have been busy concentrating on technical queries, part numbers and run of the mill questions.
The shocking, sinister discovery that your car is a not only a deathtrap but that the seller has misled you in the process is a fear amongst all car enthusiasts. The input from other forums, owners clubs and websites has shown we all share common fears.
It is a welcome change that this (epic) public pressure has helped Matt get his money back, it is a victory against the deceit and deception which I had hoped were
not part of this forumboard. Guess my eyes have been opened a little wider.
I feel that the focus has moved off the actual facts somewhat, let's refresh:
1) A member has been sold a lemon by an ex-registered trader.
2) The lemon was not road legal despite having a valid MOT certificate.
3) Sham issued the MOT certificate on the vehicle.
As it currently stands, the results are as follows:
1) Owing to pressure from a rather large and baying internet mob, the seller has refunded the buyer.
Given the nature of previous reports and the evidence supplied from this case the seller has been banned indefinitely from TGTT. To do anything else would only condone his behaviour and compromise the safety of our members in the process.
This is not a decision we have taken lightly, in fact when his trading rights were revoked a while back (under a hail of criticism) I often wondered if we were right in our actions. It would appear so going on what I can see here.
I am disheartened by the whole situation. Akki was a longterm member and a once-respected trader. It makes no sense to me at all.
I don't like handing out bans but I see this is one for the good of the forum.
2) I am happy that VOSA has been informed and that progress has begun investigating the details of this vehicle. If anything suspicious is there they will find it and have the power to do something about it. Everything else is mere speculation.
3) Sham has offered background information on the vehicle's visit to his workplace.
I am satisfied that he has offered a plausible explanation for the conflicting conditions of the vehicle. I cannot taint someone's name based nothing more than gut feelings and unconfirmed speculation. It is fair to say that if there is anything to find VOSA will find it and act accordingly.
As chance would have it, his trading account expired on the 13th of this month and we have elected not to renew it. Due to work and time constraints Sham feels he will not be applying for renewal anyway.
This gives us the opportunity to remove his trading forum vai mutual agreement. I am happy to retain him as a regular member although I will ask him to refrain from trading in our classifieds sections as a precautionary measure.
He has been on this forum for a long time and I have always found him to be both friendly and helpful. I hope that he continues to contribute as he obviously has the respect of fellow owners.
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Now there would appear to be some division amongst the ranks that I would like to address before we finish:
I have little interest in geography, genealogy or what deity you all follow. Nor does the next scammer, cowboy, highwayman or rip-off merchant you meet. I don't care if they are in Ballyhalbert or Balamory, we need to drop the territorial bullshit and get on with spotting them.
We will protect you but you are sometimes going to have to just trust us.
Be careful in all of your dealings or you may find yourself a starring role in SDCCWDM II!
As ever, kind regards.
Jay
TGTT