Algy Autos read this before you buy from them

[Ace Piker]

Well I got so fed up I emailed all of them (Algy's, Hallen Imports & Lucus co.) saying if they didn't sort it by Aug 22nd I'd report them to the relevant authorities. I got a long rambling reply from Algy (I'm not sure it's his real name) moaning about copying everyone on the email and saying I'd shot myself in the foot. Also moaning that he only made £300 after vat and how could I hold him responsible!!!!!

I can't be arsed, honestly. I am concentrating on getting out of my wheelchair, off my crutches, back on my feet and back to work after nearly 3 months off sick! I will continue to post on this site (and others I can find) to warn people about Algy's Auto's empty promises and Hallen Imports rip off and dangerous practices.

I have written this all off as another thread of sh1te woven into life's rich tapestry. I can only hope that what goes around comes around and that all of them, eventually, get what they deserve!


I'll probably sell the petrol surf soon. It's not a bad vehicle, goes like stink, it's just not worth what I paid for it. But unlike Lucus Co or Algy's Autos I won't rip anyone off!

[Apache]

Cant see your review - has he had it removed?

[Ace Piker]

Review, what the cyprus one? it's on the right hand side under recent reviews. They don't update often!

[Ace Piker]

Cant see your review - has he had it removed?

I flagged one of the reviews as inappropriate today, seeing as he's reviewed himself!

[Koi]

I can see your frustration here but out of principal I wouldn't let Algys Autos get away with it. How the hell can he say how can you hold him responsible, it was with him whom you had the contract of course he's responsible and liable.
Algy auots seem to think its not thier fault, they just seem to hate the thought of having to rectify the problem.

I would be informing every authority I could think of about the transaction.

His arguement that he got it from another party and its not his fault is just so wrong.

Is like you buying a lawnmower from B&Q and it goes wrong, you take it back and B&Q say but we bought it from fred blogs so its down to him.
Rubbish you paid B&Q or in this case Algy Autos so your contract is with them.

[TonyN]

Martin cruised by today, its basically a nice truck, but it should have been rock bottom price.

The paint is appalling, its flaking off everywhere, rev counter dosn't work, you can't turn the A/C or heating off and the steering wheel and carpets tell you it must really be a starship milage truck.

Its shocking that Algys have washed their hands of it, they should be bending over backwards to sort this out, the price he paid for it, compared to what turned up.

[Predictable Bob]

I suspect that they'll suffer in the long run - I've no idea how many people on this forum would have bought a Surf from them but I'll lay odds that it's a damned sight fewer since this thread started !

Which raises a question - are there any honest Surf importers doing business at ther moment ? My better half keeps making noises about replacing her beat up old bus with something shinier - personally I'm happy to keep it cos it's reliable but ...

[Rustinho]

I suspect that they'll suffer in the long run - I've no idea how many people on this forum would have bought a Surf from them but I'll lay odds that it's a damned sight fewer since this thread started !

Which raises a question - are there any honest Surf importers doing business at ther moment ? My better half keeps making noises about replacing her beat up old bus with something shinier - personally I'm happy to keep it cos it's reliable but ...

A couple of companies that I've dealt with in the past and seem reasonable to deal with:

Car Planet Ltd in Warrington (I bought my Celica from them in 2004):
http://www.carplanetltd.co.uk/

Kings Valley Car Supermarket in Stockport (we were going to import a specialised disabled access vehicle for my dad but opted to get a standard one we found really cheap in the end):
http://www.justgoodcars.com/69154/ca...permarket.html

Both of them seemed pretty decent folks to deal with. Car Planet are a lot more "professional" looking cos they have a proper showroom. Kings Valley are a bit more have more of a "one man band" feel to them operating out of a very ramshackle looking old industrial unit.

[joker??]

i bought a surf from algy and it was fantastic and aftersales service was great free service for life ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,nah u guessed right i talking shite ,as agents for any sales whatever the product they are responsible had advice when currys sold me duff tomtom ,sorry to hear u never got what was described to you martin but dont give up ,remember the winch bumper saga i had /? in the end i won

[Ace Piker]

i bought a surf from algy and it was fantastic and aftersales service was great free service for life ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, ,,,,,,,nah u guessed right i talking shite ,as agents for any sales whatever the product they are responsible had advice when currys sold me duff tomtom ,sorry to hear u never got what was described to you martin but dont give up ,remember the winch bumper saga i had /? in the end i won

I do remember, sadly I don't think Algy is going to do the right thing. I guess I should have seen it coming when you notice that his regular news emails are based on "Only Fools & Horses"! He really is like Del Boy! Sadly though he's not as funny.

[Ace Piker]

I suspect that they'll suffer in the long run - I've no idea how many people on this forum would have bought a Surf from them but I'll lay odds that it's a damned sight fewer since this thread started !

I can only hope so Bob. I will continue to do whatever I can to dissuade people from using Algy's Autos.

[childishlysimple]

Have you tried ringing Trading Standards? They are very helpful, and live for this sort of thing!

[Mirv]

As I'm potentially looking to import a vehicle (either a Surf or Granvia) I had a look at the service Algy's Auto's offers, naturally I've also read through this thread. It's not a great situation you've ended up in, buying blind from Japan is something that put's me off the idea as I wouldn't want to find myself in a similar situation.

Is like you buying a lawnmower from B&Q and it goes wrong, you take it back and B&Q say but we bought it from fred blogs so its down to him.
Rubbish you paid B&Q or in this case Algy Autos so your contract is with them.

My understanding maybe it's a little incorrect?, but after reading through Algy's site the impression I get is that your not buying the car from them, Algy's Auto's acts on your behalf. So this would leave very little scope for any come back if things don't pan out like expected?

I'm wondering if any possible savings made from doing it this way, are worth the additional risk?

What I picked up was an ex Silver surf with badly worn brown interior, complete with dodgy re-spray and different (earlier?) dash set up. Engine bay is so clean I'm thinking rebuilt crash repair?:

(the ad you've linked has expired) Did you buy the car from a VIN number or from photos alone? Looking through the adverts on tradecarview some seem to include the VIN where as some don't?? Did Algy's Auto's source this car for you or did you approach them to purchase that particular vehicle? Did AA send you any kind of inspection report before the deal was done? What was included in this report? i.e. additional photos, VIN, engine numbers etc...

Sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to fully understand how this works.

[TonyN]

It works like this, Algys take your money and do very little, if they and you are lucky it all works out and they make a big chuck of your money for themselves.

But what can happen is things can go wrong, then you find out they don't give a stuff about sorting out your problem, and you can't get your money back cos its in Cyprus, and all of sudden they have no connections to anyone in Japan or the UK and your f**ked.

Buy a truck already in the UK, its far easier and less fraught.

[flounderbout]

My understanding maybe it's a little incorrect?, but after reading through Algy's site the impression I get is that your not buying the car from them, Algy's Auto's acts on your behalf. So this would leave very little scope for any come back if things don't pan out like expected?

You are paying them to arrange the importation of a particular car - the one that is advertised. Whether they are acting as your agent or in some other legal capacity is utterly irrelevant. If they produce the wrong car, then they have failed to perform the services for which they were contracted in a manfiestly obvious way. I am afraid that any suggestion they make that they are not legally responsible for the mistake or are not obliged to refund monies etc is absurd. The technical legal term for such an argument is "a pile of festering shit".

The difficulty is that suing a Cyprus company which probably has bugger all assets and may dump the company the moment you win any damages anyway, is about as attractive of the illegitimate love child of Mo Mowlam and Carlos Tevez.

The upshot is if you are determined to import: a) only deal with a company that has substantial assets and base in the UK; b) try and find a company that has been recommended; c) do not pay more than a deposit upfront; d) do not accept the vehicle until it has been properly checked over. Any company worth its salt should not be taking the whole payment upfront.