Scootech City - beware LV70 UBJ

I bought a brand new 2020 Vespa Supertech in grey from Scootech in Farrindon, EC1. On the day I bought it the bike had a digital malfunction, like a computer crash, and wouldn't switch off the screen when the key was removed. This fault caused the battery to go flat. I returned the bike and asked for a refund which Scootech refused. I had to point out that the law gave me the right to a full refund if the bike wasn't fit for purpose. After a couple of days of emails Scootech finally agreed to a refund, but held a portion of the refund until I returned the registration document (this takes around 10 days to arrive for a newly registered bike). I returned it to Scootech with 6 miles on the clock. 

 I bought a replacement bike elsewhere which I love. The Supertech GTS is a great bike! 

In November 2020 I saw that Scootech is selling a Supertech in grey which looks like the same bike I returned. I took screenshots of the Facebook Marketplace advert and have posted these below. The bike is LV70 UBJ. The ad does not mention that this bike was bought, driven, suffered a fault and was returned. In fact the advert states that it has had "just 10mil pdi test". In case this is the same bike that I owned then please beware if you are considering buying it.

Stefan Marin, bathroom fitter, painter and decorator

Stefan Marin, based in Ilford fitted a bathroom for me. He did a bad job on the flooring leaving a split in the bathroom floor for water to get into. His work overran by a couple of days. He offered to fit skirting board round the bathroom edge but in fact fitted poor quality beading. He left a drain connection undone and this caused a minor flood in the floor below. Stefan Marin 07507 197134. I paid in full but then had to re-do the flooring. Avoid using him and try to find a more professional bathroom fitter.

Beware Gaggia Service

I had a very frustrating experience with Gaggia Service (Gaggia Service SRL Limited is the official company name), based in Nottingham, who charged me close to £100 for repairing a coffee machine. It was delivered back to me with the same fault it left with but instead of offering to fix the machine the company has refused and instead argued with me by email and phone.

I am now in the position of having to find another company to fix the machine, and will have to claim the cost from Gaggia Service.

I dealt with Andrew and Giacomo who both seemed very happy to argue with me but are completely unwilling to put the issue right.

Just a warning if you thinking of using this company.

Frank and James Keyline Roofing Solutions / Francis Mongan and James Vango

A warning about a very poor roofing job that we received from Frank Mongan and James Vango of Keyline Roofing Solutions. They quoted a high price which we were happy to pay as we were promised good quality. What we got instead was Frank and James bullying us into giving them cash up front for work, a half finished job, badly fitted Velux windows, terrible quality plasterboard fitting inside, and corner cutting at every opportunity. > Fitted joists without measuring the right size for the windows (which they forgot to order on time). Badly fitted joists that don't fit the Velux windows. This caused the new roofer to have to re-do the joists. > Quoted for expensive 120mm thermal roofing insulation and then fitted much cheaper old style fluff which they then got angry at us about when we pointed it out. > Left the slate roof half finished and never returned. > Told us they would walk off site if we didn't give them cash, then went home two hours later having done very little (£1800) > Left rubbish, debris and their own goods which we had to take to the dump. We are now pursuing them for costs that we have incurred paying much better traders, to put right their work. Damaged Velux windows, roof joists that need to be moved to fit the Velux, plaster board and insulation to be re-fitted, brick repair and render to be done. Contacts: James Vango of New Romney (who also runs R&R Roofing of new Romney). 07714 162586 / 07592 786528 Frank Mongan. 07587 544261 Keyline Roofing Solutions is registered to 41 East Street, Bromley. Website: www.rooferinbromley.co.uk Beware these cowboy roofers. Also note they are not a member of the National Federation of Roofers - which I would always look at when appointing roofers. Lesson learned.

Bad Trader - Darren Burkett D&G Construction

This is my blog to highlight good and bad experiences with traders. In this case a bad experience with Darren Burkett of D&G Construction in Orpington.

He quoted four weeks to do a job but ended up strateching it out to four months and never finished. I am now pursuing him for the cost of rendering the building he quoted for and didn't do. I am also pursuing him for the cost of re-doing a concrete floor to a building. He laid a floor that was below the level at which water could get in. The concrete isn't level and now needs to be broken up and re-laid.

He kept a key to my property which he said he had sent back to me, and recently turned up with the key. I assume that he was trying to get access.

 Currently I am £8k out of pocket. Darren charges in advance for the work he does so there is no opportunity to hold back payment if work is not done to satisfaction. I have complained to Checkatrade. Starting legal action. Surveyors report backs up my concerns. Building control signoff not done.

If you want to contact me about him I am on 0742 961 1696. Charlie