Still waiting to collect my new van and I'm at my wit's end

[SirPooley]

Last week I wrote a forum post about how I had been waiting three weeks to get my brand new van after paying all the money for it.

I'm still waiting.

I called Marquis last week and they said they said they were still waiting for the V55 registration documents from the DVLA. I had asked them if they could deliver the vehicle to me on trade plates so that it was at least on my drive, but was told they are not allowed to release it until they have those documents.

So we are now approaching the fifth week where I have handed over £78,000 and I still have no van - nor any indication of when I might actually be able to pick it up.

I'm frustrated and getting increasingly annoyed. Do I have any options other than to just sit and wait?

 

[andykim]

I rang the Mortgage company to tell them I wanted to make a large lump sum payment, I was expecting a "Thank you so much, a cost of living crisis and you want to make a payment to us that is very much appreciated" but no they were hostile and insisted I had to prove our income it was hard work.

We had exactly the same, we sold our rented home and paid off our mortgage and was asked if we could wait while the money "matured" I suppose they looked at the trail of the sale of the house etc

 

[our poppy llll]

Most dealers have registration numbers and register on line, but some dealers have to send the paperwork application to the DVLA, they are still working from home! Elddis is one of them, they blame Fiat!..
In 2020, I bought a Elddis CV40 campervan, we collected it from Spinney, it had a cherished Reg: I collected it July 6th. I had insured it on the Reg and vin number, I called my insurers and told them it was now on my drive and had a tracker, they said they could not find the registration with the DVLA.
It took 2 days to check but the vehicle was not registered. My insurers said my insurance was null and void, so I called Spinney, after hours of explanation and checks, they advised their insurer could not put it back on Spinney’s insurance. Unless they owned it, Spinney refunded my full payment with the promise to sell it back to me once the registration was complete, they now owned it so could insure it.
I called the DVLA daily who could not be bothered, but eventually registered it on the 23rd July and I bought it back, insured it and Spinney paid the insurance fee for my cancellation because they should never have released it in the first place.
You need to get your supplier to give you the vin number and date they sent the first registration fee, then chase the DVLA. The more you chase the quicker it will be.
Hope you get it soon..
PS don’t collect it until it’s registered, if you were caught driving it you could lose it, if you were in an accident you have no insurance. Best to chase and chase. Good luck…

 

[andykim]

So did I.

We had a KYC (Know Your Client) department.
They probably stopped about one in a 500 trades due to people not being able to explain how they had that amount of money.

We were brokers, not a bank, and not a seller or buyer, but had a trade gone through where the money was 'unexplained' then every chance we would be blacklisted by the US FDA, and even a blockage for a matter of hours could cost millions and take months to recover from.

So we are so clean we squeaked.

Bottom line is anyone selling big ticket items such as motorhomes, should be finding out where the money comes from, as if it's from a couple of kilo's of coke then it trading motorhomes sounds to me like an excellent way to launder money.

I've got 3 keys and it's a nightmare selling it off £10 a gram

 

[Nanniemate]

I've got 3 keys and it's a nightmare selling it off £10 a gram

Do a bogoff buy one get one free or you could offer 50% discount

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[Tombola]

I rang the Mortgage company to tell them I wanted to make a large lump sum payment, I was expecting a "Thank you so much, a cost of living crisis and you want to make a payment to us that is very much appreciated" but no they were hostile and insisted I had to prove our income it was hard work.

I had to do the same a year ago when I stumped up 25k to my son for a deposit on his first house. He and I bith had to supply paper trails parents names yadda yadda.

I'm not in the habit.of giving my hard earned away BTW...I had saved all the bed and board he had paid me since his first job at 17 and gave it back to him without him knowing i had saved it for this day....

yeh yeh I know...I'm a a nice dad...

 

[JoshnPen]

I've bought houses without needing to prove where the money came from.

Shouldn't happen now, you have to evidence the source of wealth.

 

[DuxDeluxe]

I had to do the same a year ago when I stumped up 25k to my son for a deposit on his first house. He and I bith had to supply paper trails parents names yadda yadda.

I'm not in the habit.of giving my hard earned away BTW...I had saved all the bed and board he had paid me since his first job at 17 and gave it back to him without him knowing i had saved it for this day....

yeh yeh I know...I'm a a nice dad...

Had the same issues with both of ours for their house deposit. Sensible but a right pain in the arse

 

[Grey Fox]

I Had no problems with my insurance, but obviously I couldn’t drive it until the V55 came through and I updated the insurance company. As already said Marquis is a large company being I believe part of Auto Sleepers, I suspect they have their own company policy on what needs to be in place before a vehicle can be released, seems to me though that it is poor practice to take the money in these circumstances, causing unnecessary frustration and worry at when you should be excited and eagerly waiting for delivery.

 

[Brains]

Shouldn't happen now, you have to evidence the source of wealth.

And that was down to this case from the early 2000's (although there were others)

The ringleader gave the cash to his girlfriend who then bought houses, in her name, and rented them out.
C&E could not prove any connection between them as there was nothing on paper, no official connection between them, nothing official shared.

They eventually got her on circumstantial evidence, but I believe she still owns a lot of the houses that she bought for cash.

Boatbuilding firm supplied 'uncatchable' boats to smugglers, court hears​

by RAY MASSEY

Last updated at 22:00 18 January 2007


For nearly a decade Richard Davison and girlfriend Ellen George built an enviable reputation in the boatbuilding industry for their high-speed inflatables.
But in court it has been claimed that, unknown to customers, the respectable front of Crompton Marine hid an undercover business supplying "uncatchable" boats to international drug smugglers.
Polly the spaniel strikes fear into smugglers
• -Broken Link Removed-
Managing director Davison, 39, and his partner George, 41, were suspected of making secret cash deals on boats costing up to £350,000, each with eight 250-horsepower engines strapped to the back.
Ranging between 30ft and 60ft long and capable of producing 60 knots (about 70mph) at sea, they could out-run any pursuers. Similar sized boats normally have one or two outboard motors.
Their low profile also made them virtually invisible to radar and many were painted grey or black, making them difficult to spot with the naked eye.
The couple were even believed to be designing a 108ft version that could be used by criminals running contraband between northern Africa and Spain.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how customs officers who raided their £350,000 home near the business in the sleepy seaside resort of Lowestoft, Suffolk, found £1.2 million in cash hidden in holdalls and cupboards.
A further one million Euros (around £656,000) and £39,000 was discovered by Spanish officials in a property used by Davison in Malaga, southern Spain.
Showing a photograph of a boat to the jury, prosecutor Simon Draycott QC said: "At full power it used 900 litres of petrol an hour and had capacity to hold 15,000 litres of petrol.
"This boat was tested in the sea off Lowestoft. The gentleman who took it out loaded it with six tonnes of shingle, it had five people on board and it was still able to travel at 50mph.
"This was such a powerful boat it could carry a lot of drugs, a lot of contraband and still go so fast it could outrun any maritime craft.
"The ribs were built, sold and transported to southern Spain, north Africa and Morocco.
"Davison, George and Rush knew those buying the boats wanted them for one reason - to transport drugs and contraband from north Africa to southern Spain.
"They also knew the money used to pay for the boats was coming from the proceeds of crime."
An email sent to potential customers boasted of "high-speed, uncatchable craft that have a low radar signature", he added.
Details emerged during the trial of Ian Rush, who allegedly carried on the illegal trade under the name Nautexco Marine when George and Davison were arrested in 2004.
George has already admitted possession of criminal property and money laundering and is awaiting sentencing. Davison is on bail in Spain where he faces drug smuggling charges.
The jury heard that Crompton Marine made deals with the criminal underworld between 2000 and 2004.
The illicit trade was concealed by only accepting cash payments which were placed in personal and overseas bank accounts.
George and Davison were arrested after British customs officials put them under surveillance when Spanish authorities reported seizing a number of their boats during anti-drug smuggling operations.
The raid in Lowestoft also uncovered designs for the giant speed boat as well as forged ownership and insurance certificates.
Rush, of Butterwich, Lincolnshire, a former haulier who delivered boats for the couple, was charged with arranging the retention of criminal property.
His barrister, Philip Hackett QC, said Crompton Marine was used as a "money laundering" outfit which transferred £16 million across international borders and generated £2.7 million in assets between 1998 and 2004.
But Nautexco, he added, was run "entirely properly".
Davison was charged with drug trafficking, tax evasion and money laundering.
Ellen George pleaded guilty to two money laundering offences.
The trial continues.

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[VXman]

SirPooley

Have you rang the DVLA? When mine was delayed I rang them and they told me there was a mistake with fee and the dealer had to resubmit. The dealer had told me it was all with the DVLA and going through up until that point.

I had already collected mine as I wasn't aware it was an issue to be using it while it was being registered and the dealer was happy for me to do so. I must admit I even took a trip away in it when I was aware it might be an issue.

 

[Coastal Cruiser.]

I've bought houses without needing to prove where the money came from.

Probably years ago.

Bought a house 2 years ago and my solicitor wanted proof of where the funds came from, a year before he had sold four of my houses for a considerable sum more than the new one cost but I still had to show where the money came from

 

[CazPaul]

Hopefully it gets sorted soon, good luck.

At least you know in future, pay the least deposit allowed then not a penny until the day you collect it, after a thorough check of everything and a handover.

 

[our poppy llll]

I had to do the same a year ago when I stumped up 25k to my son for a deposit on his first house. He and I bith had to supply paper trails parents names yadda yadda.

I'm not in the habit.of giving my hard earned away BTW...I had saved all the bed and board he had paid me since his first job at 17 and gave it back to him without him knowing i had saved it for this day....

yeh yeh I know...I'm a a nice dad...

You wanna be my dad?

 

[Devon Sue]

Once you have gone through the inquisition about where money has come from to deposit with a bank you then have to go through another grilling when you want to take more than tuppence h'apenny of your own money out of their bank.

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[SpeedyDux]

I guess as long as you have proof of ownership it doesn’t matter if anything happens to Marquis. But if it is the DVLA then it just shows what a shower they still are. I thought most businesses had got themselves straight after COVID.

I would agree with those who do not pay the balance of the agreed price of the MH until actual handover day, when it has been registered and taxed. Any sooner payment is likely to be at the buyer's risk. I doubt if the money is being held by Marquis in a separate trust account.

It does matter if something were to happen to Marquis. Perhaps a fire that destroys their stock of MHs at that branch. Or theft. Or insolvency. Who takes the financial risk under different scenarios is legally quite complicated.

If I was a buyer in that situation I would hasten to seek temporary insurance based on the VIN number if the V55 hasn't been issued. That might be difficult in such circumstances, but you can but try. If ownership in the MH did pass legally to the buyer, but possession is permitted to remain with Marquis who are not servicing or repairing it, the question arises whether the buyer needs to insure it while it is in storage with Marquis, until able to take delivery. A grey area. Marquis' insurance might not be relevant, because having received full payment, Marquis suffers no loss if the MH is destroyed or stolen.

 

[our poppy llll]

And that was down to this case from the early 2000's (although there were others)

The ringleader gave the cash to his girlfriend who then bought houses, in her name, and rented them out.
C&E could not prove any connection between them as there was nothing on paper, no official connection between them, nothing official shared.

They eventually got her on circumstantial evidence, but I believe she still owns a lot of the houses that she bought for cash.

Boatbuilding firm supplied 'uncatchable' boats to smugglers, court hears​

by RAY MASSEY

Last updated at 22:00 18 January 2007


For nearly a decade Richard Davison and girlfriend Ellen George built an enviable reputation in the boatbuilding industry for their high-speed inflatables.
But in court it has been claimed that, unknown to customers, the respectable front of Crompton Marine hid an undercover business supplying "uncatchable" boats to international drug smugglers.
Polly the spaniel strikes fear into smugglers
• -Broken Link Removed-
Managing director Davison, 39, and his partner George, 41, were suspected of making secret cash deals on boats costing up to £350,000, each with eight 250-horsepower engines strapped to the back.
Ranging between 30ft and 60ft long and capable of producing 60 knots (about 70mph) at sea, they could out-run any pursuers. Similar sized boats normally have one or two outboard motors.
Their low profile also made them virtually invisible to radar and many were painted grey or black, making them difficult to spot with the naked eye.
The couple were even believed to be designing a 108ft version that could be used by criminals running contraband between northern Africa and Spain.
Ipswich Crown Court heard how customs officers who raided their £350,000 home near the business in the sleepy seaside resort of Lowestoft, Suffolk, found £1.2 million in cash hidden in holdalls and cupboards.
A further one million Euros (around £656,000) and £39,000 was discovered by Spanish officials in a property used by Davison in Malaga, southern Spain.
Showing a photograph of a boat to the jury, prosecutor Simon Draycott QC said: "At full power it used 900 litres of petrol an hour and had capacity to hold 15,000 litres of petrol.
"This boat was tested in the sea off Lowestoft. The gentleman who took it out loaded it with six tonnes of shingle, it had five people on board and it was still able to travel at 50mph.
"This was such a powerful boat it could carry a lot of drugs, a lot of contraband and still go so fast it could outrun any maritime craft.
"The ribs were built, sold and transported to southern Spain, north Africa and Morocco.
"Davison, George and Rush knew those buying the boats wanted them for one reason - to transport drugs and contraband from north Africa to southern Spain.
"They also knew the money used to pay for the boats was coming from the proceeds of crime."
An email sent to potential customers boasted of "high-speed, uncatchable craft that have a low radar signature", he added.
Details emerged during the trial of Ian Rush, who allegedly carried on the illegal trade under the name Nautexco Marine when George and Davison were arrested in 2004.
George has already admitted possession of criminal property and money laundering and is awaiting sentencing. Davison is on bail in Spain where he faces drug smuggling charges.
The jury heard that Crompton Marine made deals with the criminal underworld between 2000 and 2004.
The illicit trade was concealed by only accepting cash payments which were placed in personal and overseas bank accounts.
George and Davison were arrested after British customs officials put them under surveillance when Spanish authorities reported seizing a number of their boats during anti-drug smuggling operations.
The raid in Lowestoft also uncovered designs for the giant speed boat as well as forged ownership and insurance certificates.
Rush, of Butterwich, Lincolnshire, a former haulier who delivered boats for the couple, was charged with arranging the retention of criminal property.
His barrister, Philip Hackett QC, said Crompton Marine was used as a "money laundering" outfit which transferred £16 million across international borders and generated £2.7 million in assets between 1998 and 2004.
But Nautexco, he added, was run "entirely properly".
Davison was charged with drug trafficking, tax evasion and money laundering.
Ellen George pleaded guilty to two money laundering offences.
The trial continues.

What a massive waste of money, a tin of Heinz’s baked beans, a kilo of Brussel sprouts a cheap airbed £15.00 the lot, whoosh you’ll be across that channel in no time….

 

[Dave7]

You don't get to pick what you can and can't register online. It depends is manufacturers use the RAV system or not. RAV you can log into a DVLA portal for certain manufacturers and have a list of available registration numbers that you can assign and register there and then.
If they don't use it you cant and its paperwork sent to the DVLA. DVLA are still not up to capacity with workers still working remotely. They also get circa 50000 letters, applications etc a day. There is only so much they can do per day.
You can chase but you won't get to speak to the New Registrations team, you will get a general enquiry team who will field the messages.

I didn’t say you could
Our dealer uses the system and it will be fine in a day
I understand you pay extra to be able to have the online system and some dealers won’t pay that cost

 

[PeterCarole29]

Perhaps the OP can put an update today if hes no further forward with being fobbed off we could all email the company daily asking for an up date as we are interested in the outcome

 

[Dutch 68]

Have you find out the score and do you have a new action plan as regards to your cancellation Lenny HB ?

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[SirPooley]

Perhaps the OP can put an update today if hes no further forward with being fobbed off we could all email the company daily asking for an up date as we are interested in the outcome

Hi. I'm actually away for a couple of days so I emailed them again this morning and said I really expect them to get things sorted by Thursday or to arrange to have the van delivered if no. This is their reply:

I’ve just had an update from Head Office regarding the V55 document.
They are awaiting the DVLA to release a code in order for us to have the documents released to us, we are hoping to have this done by Friday meaning the V55 should be available from early part of next week, we can then arrange delivery of your motorhome if this is something you require or collection in person from the branch, will discuss further as soon as we have the registration documents.
As stated in my previous email, we are unable to release your motorhome from the branch without the correct registration documents, also the final invoice is to be signed before collection and the set up of the tracker.
Apologies again as this is out of our hands. Will hopefully update by Friday

It's basically another fob off. If there's no news by Friday, much against my better wishes I am inclined to instigate a refund. It's ridiculous.
I've wasted a month of insurance on nothing and a month of £80k being in my bank.

 

[SirPooley]

Is it worth telling Marquis that you want them to low load the van to your driveway at their expense ?
I wouldn’t trust them to have yours on display for others to walk through !

That's definitely an option. Thanks. I've been to see the van since they've taken it away from the main display. It's round the back without public access.

 

[denisejoe]

Ask them what the final invoice is for as you have already paid and have a receipt

 

[PeterCarole29]

Hi. I'm actually away for a couple of days so I emailed them again this morning and said I really expect them to get things sorted by Thursday or to arrange to have the van delivered if no. This is their reply:

I’ve just had an update from Head Office regarding the V55 document.
They are awaiting the DVLA to release a code in order for us to have the documents released to us, we are hoping to have this done by Friday meaning the V55 should be available from early part of next week, we can then arrange delivery of your motorhome if this is something you require or collection in person from the branch, will discuss further as soon as we have the registration documents.
As stated in my previous email, we are unable to release your motorhome from the branch without the correct registration documents, also the final invoice is to be signed before collection and the set up of the tracker.
Apologies again as this is out of our hands. Will hopefully update by Friday

It's basically another fob off. If there's no news by Friday, much against my better wishes I am inclined to instigate a refund. It's ridiculous.
I've wasted a month of insurance on nothing and a month of £80k being in my bank.

Hi i do feel for you . A big worry Have you considered how long it will take you to get a refund if demanded

 

[SirPooley]

That's why I am surprised a company can take the massive amount of 78k from a customer and not check where the money has come from??? it beggars belief!!

It's done via an in-person visit to the bank (first time I'd been in one for over a decade!). Obviously the bank has a full trail of the money (it was actually from a shares account held with the same bank so they could see everything). I had to sit and be talked through all manner of anti-fraud questions and then it gets signed off by the bank manager. He came into the office, saw the Marquis folder I'd taken in for the account number etc. and said that he'd bought from them just the previous month! We then had a chat about motorhomes for about 5 minutes while the lady I was originally being interviewed by looked bored!
The money is then transferred to the dealer by BACS which means they can be assured of it provenance.

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[Suenliam]

Our dealer had the on line system. We chose the number plate from a limited selection and were then able to set up the insurance with LV using the vin number. LV didn’t bat an eyelid.
Well over£50,000 paid to dealer (last year) with no money laundering checks.
Bought a flat in 2014 and had to prove every penny was from a legitimate source. This was under the Scottish legal system.
Sue

 

[SirPooley]

Hi i do feel for you . A big worry Have you considered how long it will take you to get a refund if demanded

Thanks. No, not yet. I desperately don't want it to come to that. I've been to see it a few times and I've already fallen in love with it. I'd be heartbroken to have to turn my back on it.
I know I'm a big naïve softy but I genuinely do feel this is all down to the DVLA being utterly useless. I'm going to try and call them directly about it. Will continue to update when there's anything significant to add.

 

[SirPooley]

Our dealer had the on line system. We chose the number plate from a limited selection and were then able to set up the insurance with LV using the vin number. LV didn’t bat an eyelid.
Well over£50,000 paid to dealer (last year) with no money laundering checks.
Bought a flat in 2014 and had to prove every penny was from a legitimate source. This was under the Scottish legal system.
Sue

Mine was also done online from a limited number of reg numbers.
I had to transfer the money by a BACS transfer which required me to visit the bank in person, so all checks were done.

 

[VXman]

I would agree with those who do not pay the balance of the agreed price of the MH until actual handover day, when it has been registered and taxed.

Of course then if the buyer backed out the dealer is left with a registered and taxed 2nd hand motorhome in their hands. It's a risk both ways. I know they take a deposit but mine was only £1000 which would not go a long way to mitigate their losses. I suppose the only solution would be a much heftier deposit.

 

[PeterCarole29]

Thanks. No, not yet. I desperately don't want it to come to that. I've been to see it a few times and I've already fallen in love with it. I'd be heartbroken to have to turn my back on it.
I know I'm a big naïve softy but I genuinely do feel this is all down to the DVLA being utterly useless. I'm going to try and call them directly about it. Will continue to update when there's anything significant to add.

Thanks, Getting will be the best outcome, with a bit of luck this time next week it will be with you

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[Gina M]

Paid 60K by bank transfer from my bank account to the dealer of my motorhome. No issue. The bank knew where the money came from - actually did they? Lots of it was transferred from Hong Kong while i was working there. They never questioned where that came from.

However, when I transferred 300K to my son for buying his flat the solicitors did insist on proof it was mine. I had to print out pages of banks statements. Still no proof where it had come from to get into my account though. it was hard work and kept me awake for weeks but I stuck with it and produced proof of income, years of account details and statements I had stored online saved me though

Our dealer had the on line system. We chose the number plate from a limited selection and were then able to set up the insurance with LV using the vin number. LV didn’t bat an eyelid.
Well over£50,000 paid to dealer (last year) with no money laundering checks.
Bought a flat in 2014 and had to prove every penny was from a legitimate source. This was under the Scottish legal system.
Sue

Yes, we paid two mortgages off this month one was really hard work to pay and the other just sent me a redemption statement with their bank details on, no questions asked.