Beware Algys|

[Manny]

On 3rd February I paid AlgysAutos for a bongo bought for me by auction in Japan. Their web site quotes 3 to 12 weeks lead for delivery.
I was not informed there could be any delay.
I have since found out there are problems with sea freight from Japan to the uk.
After waiting for three months without any information I emailed them and was told "it has just been shipped". So, I waited another
three months and was then told it was still in Japan awaiting shipping.
I asked them for a full refund and was refused.
Now, two months later I have been told they have been "in continous talk with exporters" but I still don't know when it will be shipped,
in two months, a year, two years, never. Or what condition it will be in if it ever gets here.
I have again asked them for a refund within seven days or I will go to the small claims court. I will await their response.
Has anyone else had dealings with them recently? If so I would be interested to know their experience.

[Bob]

They are based in Cyprus so you may find court action difficult.

Not at all helpful, and fingers crossed for you.

How did you pay? Maybe credit card company could help.

[Propnut]

There was a whole lot of carnage created by the global Covid situation. Shippers going bust, millions of containers in the wrong places. Many shippers would only move their own containers for ages so containers owned by individual companies were stranded. This may well explain how its initially taken so long for your van to arrive however by now I’d have expected something to have been sorted out. You could have driven it home from Japan by now.
Whilst the above doesn’t help you now, your vendor must have been aware of the situation and could have saved you an awful lot of anguish and himself from your wrath by keeping you regularly updated with developments or lack of. A salutary lesson for all businesses, good communication with the customer saves a whole world of pain and lasting reputational damage later.
With luck your vendor sees your post and takes swift action to save their reputation,

Hope you get it sorted without the added aggravation of legal routes.

[Manny]

Update.
Algys have UK address in Bristol. I paid for the bongo by bank transfer, so I will not get any help there.
I have at last had some information from them, saying that shipping is getting cheaper and more available.
In view of that I have told my lawyer to pause the court claim for now as I would rather have the bongo than a refund.
I shall wait a couple of weeks to see if my bongo gets shipped.

[Bob]

I think you'll find that address is Hallen Motors, who do work for Algy's once the vehicles arrive, but good luck.

[Manny]

Update.

No further communication with algs other than me sending them an email asking for docummentatin showing ownership
of vehicle for which I have had no reply.
So, today I have emailed them an email with a recommended "letter before claim" giving them till 20 January 2023 to
reply. if the do not reply or reply with a satisfactory answer I shall proceed with the "small claim court".

Happy New Bongoing Year to all.

[Bob]

It’s useful for peeps in the future to know how things work out, thanks for the update.

Hope it works out ok.

[Manny]

so far...

I've had no reply from algys to my " letter before claim".
So last Thursday I filled and submitted a Money Claim Order Online (MCOL)
claiming a refund from algs for the full amount and court cost of £205.
I will wait to see what happens next.

To be continued ....

[Bob]

Thanks for the update.

[Manny]

I received a letter last week from the court (Notice of Issue) saying the claim was sent to the defendant (algys) and will be
deemed to be served on 22 February. The defendant has until the 8 March to reply. I still have heard nothing from them.
Nice people!

[Manny]

Where we are .....
on 13 February I filled in a form N180 Directions questionnaire and posted to the court.
The court sent me documents saying this was now a defended claim together with a copy
of form N180 from the defendant (Algys) saying that there was now no case to answer as
the vehicle is now in the Uk.
I have not been contacted by Algys directly and don't Know the whereabouts or what conditions
its in.
I don't want the vehicle now. I just want a refund of all the money I have paid out.
After waiting for so long and thinking I was never going to get the bongo on 7 February
I bought another bongo.
Both I and Algys ticked the box for mediation on form N180 but nothing has happened yet.
I believe the mediation might be by telephone with a court mediator.
Meantime I am enjoying my new bongo.
Silver grey, 2 ltr 2005 bongolow.

[g8dhe]

Good to hear you have a new vehicle, lets hope the mediation works out well!

[Bob]

Second Geoff's comments.

Great you have a Bongo, and fingers crossed for the next step.

[Manny]

I got an appointment for mediation for 19th May even though I had said in the form that was one of the days I was not available as I would be on holiday (norther bongo bash). So I asked for the appointment on a different date. I was told the date could not be changed as it has to be within 28 days and there are no other days available. So I will have to do the mediation during the bash. Something different to do at a bongo bash!

Meantime algys have emailed me at last to say the bongo is here (where?) has passed the MOT and ready to be registerd for me. I replied that I have already got a bongo and don't need or want another and to avoid any further hasalle with the courts to refund my money.
They have not replied yet.

[Bob]

Indeed a nightmare.