I'm a tradesman of 43 years 2 years ago I did some composite decking for a client. They contacted me 4 months ago stating that the boards had split. I went to inspect and was horrified by the state of it. I realized that this would not be an isolated incident, and sure enough the reviews showed that everyone had had identical problems, not just here but Europe too. The product is no longer for sale. As the product has a 10 year guarantee I wasn't expecting much trouble in getting satisfaction. How silly of me. It's been going on for 3 months now, with pictures sent, e mails back and forth etc, etc. Their last e mail has requested pictures of how wide the gap is at the board ends with a tape measure at the side of it. I have threatened them with court action' to include damages for the costs of rebuilding, and I would bet my house on winning. All I can surmise is that they want to wear me down until I give up. I've had a tradepoint account with these people since it started, spending around 7 grand a year, and they reward me by treating me with contempt. I am interested to hear what other people's experiences have been with B&Q ( because there must be thousands) or just their thoughts in general. Cheers Rushy

I won't bother as its gone now.

Been at at it years. Three parking raps before this, one a council ticket, Rotherham council tax dispute, Diamond holiday resorts, Bristol street motors and until this summer undefeated. Drove the wife to East Midlands airport and she said 'you might as well drop me off here and I'll walk to the terminal' so I pulled off the road and off she trotted. Unwittingly I had done so in a restricted zone and a week later received the letter. I gave my standard type response-' put some decent signs up, and dispense with the usual threats and take me strait to court'. It always worked in the past. They didn't quit. Looking on google earth I couldn't work out where I'd pulled over. From the photo of the car it suggested I had parked in an area that was grass and trees, and then everything fell into place. The creation of restricted zones, no more free 15 min drop offs and a hard standing area next to the car park barrier with a camera pointing right at it. Entrapment. We're not looking at getting off now, We're now looking at getting the right people involved here who might cause enough of a stink that results in VCS losing its access to the DVLA. The court process was well underway and as I was worked up for the day I decided to drive down to the airport and pace out the distance from where I thought I'd parked to 'the sign' that was situated in the BP garage. To my horror there was no hard standing area, warning signs were everywhere [their correspondence said 'the clearly visible sign by the BP garage'] and I couldn't work out where I'd pulled over. The word devastated doesn't come close. Feeling that I didn't have a leg to stand on I capitulated.[ I've got a feeling that you're going to tell me that I would have won] Still, back to winning ways. Its a pity that everything we have to do is reactive. we need to come up with ideas to hurt them and then mobilize the public. And have a bit of fun doing it.

They may be changing the rules but someone like Renshaw Smith will already have his next scam worked out. You may call him simple Simon but he's far form that (can't we refer to him as Piers Morgan or something similar) The fact that he runs 2 companies from the same building suggests that if 1 loses the right of access to the DVLC database, the other one can pick up the reins. It's a bit like an arms race, he aint going to quit and neither shall we.

To the site team, yes it was a private company called Excel. They deal with car parks. They have a sister company called VCS who deal with the airports. Both share the same offices in Sheffield, and these people will not back down. They have a policy of always following through court action, and don't mind losing the odd case because most people bottle it. (Other firms have always backed down when their bluff has been called) They are owned by a weasel called Simon Renshaw Smith (AKA captain clampit) who earns £750,000 pa out of peoples misery. I did warn these people that if they were to persist in persecuting my family I would retaliate. Helping other people fight them is a start, but I want to mobilize them into going on the offensive. I am mindful that the site team, for legal reasons, might censor some of my ideas, which I will attempt to post tomorrow.

Just heard today that the court has thrown out a claim against my wife, for not putting our registration number in properly. The company involved have postured for over a year over this, which suggests that they rely on fear, or just wearing you down. It's a numbers game and they don't mind taking the odd hit because most people back down. They have made an accusation that has to be proven. You only have to cast doubt. Let them take you to court. The court will send you forms to fill in and you can submit your defence. Point out that for their argument to hold water, there should be a photograph of a car with your registration, and send copies of you and your fathers log books. Job done. In the current climate the magistrates are making decisions on papers only, so you won't even have to appear.