Brett Caravans scam website warning

I hope you have also sent details of the result of problem to your friend, I would want to know why he seemed recommend them! Did he just look at the website?

Surely it is an object lesson that if you are going to invest so much money in something like a caravan you really do need to make an effort to view what you are buying.Perhaps different if you buy something on E-Bay where there are at least some measures of protection. If the supposed seller starts to prevaricate about you viewing, it should immediately start alarm bells ringing? 

David

TV personality, Martin Roberts, writing in his column in a recent Practical Caravan magazine warns about this very same scam. Apparently they were offering a 2016 Sprite Major for about £4000 less than the average price for this model, for an upfront payment of 50%, van unseen. 

https://www.outandaboutlive.co.uk/caravans/news/250000-worth-of-stolen-caravans-spotted-online

It's a growing problem.

Hi everyone,

Club members may wish to note that the Brett Caravans website appears to be down at present. We can’t be sure that it won’t reappear (in the same or similar form), so we’ll be keeping watch for this, and would appreciate any updates from members who spot anything like this which raises concerns.

The Club raised concerns over Brett Caravans with Trading Standards (via Citizens Advice) and with the police ActionFraud service. We know that other individuals and organisations did so too, and hopefully these efforts are why the website seems to have disappeared.

For those who didn’t see the website while it was live, although it superficially appeared to portray a typical caravan and motorhome dealership, the stock listed was advertised at significantly below normal market prices. Our investigations showed that many if not all of the images and descriptions of the caravans and motorhomes advertised appeared on other dealer websites or private advertisements (at normal prices). The images of the dealership, its facilities and staff were copied from another well-established company, with company logos removed and names changed. It proved impossible for us to find a trading address (as opposed to registered office) for the business.

We have contacted the dealership from whom many of the ‘Brett’ images were taken and have confirmed that they had no involvement with Brett Caravans whatsoever. Understandably, they have asked us not to associate their name with this operation, however, and we would ask that Club members respect that wish too.

As general advice for anyone looking to buy a caravan or motorhome, always be cautious of deals which appear almost too good to be true. Be sceptical of any requests to pay a cash deposit to secure a vehicle you haven’t seen. If you must pay a deposit, use a credit card for at least some of the cost – that secures you ‘Section 75’ protection should you lose your money, meaning you can claim from the card company for the full amount paid (not just the amount put on the card) up to £30,000. Check the seller’s actual possession and legitimate ownership of the vehicle before making full payment. While everyone likes to get a good deal, never get carried away by the chance of an apparent bargain. There will always be the opportunity to buy something else should you miss out through being cautious.

Thanks for the update.  Several of us did, in fact, alert the 'genuine' dealership at the time the OP posted this thread.

I agree with what has been said about buying here. Anything that looks too good to be true probably is and certainly no dealer would sell at half the going rate.

From an expert opinion we used at work a deposit has to be a sum that the buyer can afford to lose. Essentially anything over 500 pounds is unreasonable.

Hi Sandy & Co,

Sorry to hear you’ve been stung like this.

Glad though that it’s not put you off caravanning or the idea of an Eriba.

As has been said, Automotive Leisure have a very good reputation, being the largest Eriba dealer in the U.K. - they’re also not that far from you in Surrey.

We’re on our 2nd Eriba having bought the first one from AL - huge stock, nice friendly helpful guys with no pressure to buy and all the time you need to look in them all to see what model and layout you prefer. We did exactly that when we decided to move up to a 540GT, but actually ended up popping over to Denmark to pick one up, saving us a shedload.

Eribas are fantastic little vans, holding their value incredibly well and very solid, unlike many U.K. vans - get a nice one and you won’t be disappointed.

There are also another couple of independent dealers worth a look -

Eriba Caravan Sales in Lancashire

https://www.eribacaravansales.co.uk

And Eriba Shop in Norfolk:

https://www.eriba-shop.co.uk/eriba-caravans-for-sale/

I’ve been to Eriba Shop to buy an awning and they have some very well presented vans that they’re happy for you poke around in.

We’re also in Surrey, and happy to offer any advice or answer any Eriba questions you may have.

good luck in your renewed search.

Good luck Sandy, I wish you all the best. I hope Karma comes for the person/s behind the scam, they deserve everything they get.

I'd be interested to know Sandy whether you heard back from Action Fraud yet. I reported it to them too, a month ago now, and have heard nothing whatsoever from them. 

This is an interesting read. If it comes into force it'll be too late for us of course..

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2018/02/new-protection-for-victims-of-cash-transfer-scams/

We've heard nothing back from anyone! The bank is due to report back this week about the response from Santander - and if they don't give us money then I'll be taking it to the Ombudsman... nothing from Action Fraud at all - not a peep!

Have been out enjoying our new caravan though... not going to let these scumbags sour our fun!