A to Z cargo Services (Bolton Sea & Air Cargo)-missing parcels has this happened to you ?

[upendrab]

Dear All,

 

I hope if any of the forum members can be of any help. On 28/02/2011, I undertook Parcel service for Package tobe delivered to India for the sum of £192 for completion by 20/04/2011 by -A to Z cargo Services (Bolton Sea & Air Cargo)- Mr Ayub (Owner/partner).

 

I have been following with Mr Ayub, since May 1 2011 about the package and every 2 weeks, he has given the excuse that package is held up and will take 2 weeks more to get it free from Customs and will be sorted out. This has been going since May 2011, until recently when I ask him to give final answer whether or not he is actually delivering the parcel else Ill take some legal action against him but now he has stopped taking any calls from me.

 

The problems are:

 

• My package included household goods, designer Clothes, Footwear items worth £3000 has not been delivered.
  
• I am calling him every 2 weeks since May 1, 2011 with same answer from him that it will take 1-2 more weeks.
  
• Since October 1, 2011, he has failed to actually respond to my calls, despite my request to call him which I SMS you on 2-10-2011 at 1:25 PM.
  

• I only have the address of his firm, which was quoted on his company leaflet and I am not sure if he still works from the office but still on advise of Consumerdirect I have sent him a letter asking to responding which I sure he wont, his address:
  

• A to Z cargo Services (Bolton Sea & AirCargo)
  Mr Ayub
  9, Morrison Street
  Bolton
  BL 3 3AN
  Phone: 07564936389
   
  

I would request forum member and appreciate if they can advise, what can be best done for filing this complaint, can I file a complaint with Police or should I fight in the court, in any case, its getting difficult to trace him as he is not even picking my call.

 

Regards,

 

Upendra

[samara_khan]

Hi

I have had the same problem with this company but only this time they location was in Hounslow, I have just posted a question on yahoo about this asking anyone else who has suffered at the hands of A to Z as I want to get this man caught as I am livid with the way he has treated me and after reading your complaint I am even more furious!

 

I have had the worst experience ever with this very unprofessional company and would like to know if anyone else has sent luggage through them and whether your luggage got to the required destination or not?

 

In April 2011 I sent luggage to Pakistan via the above company. A leaflet had been posted with their details months before I decided to contact them. The service was for a door to door service to pick and deliver luggage to the required destination within 6 weeks. After contacting them a couple came to my flat to pick up the bag I wanted to send. They weighed it and told me it was 20kg and I had to pay 1.50 per kg and a £10 handling fee so in total I paid £40. I was given an invoice where they wrote the details of the recipient and kept a copy for their own records and told me that the recipient would be contacted before the luggage was delivered. Six weeks had passed and the recipient had still not heard anything so I contacted A to Z to find out why. They in return told me there had been a problem with one of the bags as a customer had sent alcohol in it and the whole shipment had been sent back to the UK because of this reason. So I waited until the shipment returned and contacted them again and by now it was August. I spoke to them and they said they were going to send the shipment back as they didn’t want to let their customers down even more. Anyway they said the shipment left 5th August and would arrive to its destination on around 20th September. I contacted them again and was told that it would be there in a few days. This same sentence was repeated by the company owner every week until now. On Monday 10th October I had a phone call from the owner saying the luggage would be delivered within 3 days and confirmed some details relating to the recipient. 3 days passed and no luggage and no phone call were received by them. I called the owner several times and each time the phone was switched off. I left messages but no reply. I called again today and the owner answered the phone and tells me to contact the couriers in Pakistan to sort it out, I then told him that it was not my job to do this that’s what he had been paid to do. He then pretends that he can’t hear me and hangs up on me so I call him again and he does the same thing. The courier company he mentions is called Leopard Couriers so I contacted them and they tell me they don’t have the bag and to contact the Karachi head office which I do and they tell me they have never heard of the company and also tell me they can only track via a tracking number but A to Z Cargo have not issued me with one. I have been calling A to Z and they have been ignoring my calls. The luggage is worth over £500 and not to mention the time and effort that has been wasted in all this. I am really disgusted at the way I have been treated and I am sure there are other customers that are feeling the same.

Also now they have distributed new leaflets under the name of M&M CARGO UK the reason I know they are the same company is because the mobile number is exactly the same on their other leaflet under A TO Z CARGO UK.

 

I NEED TO HEAR FROM ANYONE THAT HAS DEALT WITH THIS COMPANY AND IF YOU ARE THINKING OF DEALING WITH THEM DON'T EVEN BOTHER!!!

[MARTIN3030]

It seems there are a few complaints on the internet.

I would suggest that people contact Bolton Trading Standards and see if they are dealing with other complaints.

Does anyone have any website info ?

 

Samara are you sure that this other business is M&M and not M&N ?

[MARTIN3030]

Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council

Trading Standards ServiceWeston House

Weston Street

Bolton

BL3 2AR

01204 336593 (general enquiries)

01204 336586 (consumer advice)

01204 336599 (general)

01204 336958 (advice)

[samara_khan]

Thanks for the info Martin that will help Upendra to get in touch with the trading standards in Bolton. I contacted my local office yesterday but didn't have any luck getting through to them so will try again on Monday. With regards to the new company it's definitely M&M and a mobile number of 07508 683573 which is usually switched off but I also have another number which the owner called me from once so I have been calling him on that.

These are the details they have registered :

Registration Date: 20/08/2010

Registration Type: Private Limited with share capital

Registration Number: 07351551

 

This company has not yet filed a description of their activities.

Registered office address

31 LIVINGSTONE ROAD,

HOUNSLOW

MIDDLESEX

TW3 1XX

Owner - Syed Ali Shah

 

The postcode they gave on their invoice was TW14 0JP but the address was the same as above.

 

Upendra, what did this Mr Ayub look like the man that came to collect the luggage from my place was a short guy and he had his wife with him who would just not make eye contact, should have known from there that they were dodgy.

Edited October 15, 2011 by MARTIN3030

[samara_khan]

I have also written to Watchdog but not sure how far that will get

[MARTIN3030]

The Bolton address is a house.

 

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Morrison+Street,+Bolton,+Lancashire,+BL3+3AN&oe=utf-8&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&client=firefox-a&um=1&ie=UTF-8&hq=&hnear=0x487ba7b626c82401:0x6423220d3e159751,Morrison+St,+Bolton,+Lancashire+BL3+3AN&gl=uk&ei=v9WYTvuoIIPT8QPvnfWeCg&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&ct=image&resnum=1&ved=0CB0Q8gEwAA

 

 

put 9 in the search before Morrison Street and it shows you.

[samara_khan]

Yep and the Hounslow address is also a house

[samara_khan]

I have just opened a page on facebook. If you would like to join the page and make comments you are welcome to

I cannot post links so in Facebook if you do a search under a to z cargo complaints the page should come up.

Thanks

[upendrab]

samara, yes you are right. short man, but he cam alone not with his wife and as I am getting more information on him- he works in a small mosque in Bolton. The bolton address is his home address. His full name is Aiyub J Vadiwala. I have sent him first warning letter as I was directed from Consumer direct to give him 2 weeks to respond. Its juts been 1 week, but I dont have any hopes. Thanks for the Bolton Council, I will call them on Monday. I know 2 more people who had the same fate.... and they are also going to do the same but I think rather than individual, lets do it jointly.

 

I will join you page on FB and lets fight together and at least bring it to the notice of the law.

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

Upendra

Edited October 15, 2011 by MARTIN3030
removing personal info

[MARTIN3030]

upendra please dont post personal info on the forum.

[MARTIN3030]

I will continue looking.

Under the Companies act,any correspondence requires the registered offices to be shown.

It seems that there is little info in regard to where the trader actually completes transactions.

Although the registered offices need not be the principle place of business,it is the address to which legal documents should be served.

We have seen in the past companies using addresses which are provided by a third party who operate as Secretarial Services and mail forwarding.

This may be the case here.

It is difficult to sue an individual for goods or services provided through a limited company.

The company needs to be sued and if judgment is granted,it is satisfied by way of company assets.

 

If the individuals associated here have any business which is regulated by the OFT or needs licensing under FSA then it will be much easier to have them investigated.

[upendrab]

Hi Martin,

 

Sorry wont post any personal but thought it might help better.

 

I dont think that this these guys have actually registered their Business. I have checked leaflet and invoice but it doesnt show anything. Do you think this will makes it difficult to trace him/ or to take any action against him...

 

In any case, running a business without registered is illegal so we should have some action on him by court/Police. Is there any way we can file this to the police to have an immediate action rather then running this thourgh court?

 

Thanks,

Upendra

Edited October 15, 2011 by upendrab

[MARTIN3030]

There are very clear rules for trading whether it be as a limited company or not.

If he is offering goods and services as a business then he is required to comply with legislation and those things that are required for the purpose of compliance.

CPUT 2008 and other regulations are there to give scope for recourse to consumers who have made a transaction which is made as a consumer/business one.

Individuals who are trading as a business are required to make that known to those using their services.

 

It seems to have been positively established in this case here that these people are trading as legitimate businesses.

Therefore there is a requirement for them to be compliant with law and regulations.

 

The 2 avenues open for recourse when they have failed to comply with law,is either with consumer regulators,a small clams action.or in more serious cases the Police and SFO..

 

Trading Standards offices have suffered with the cut backs and are pretty stretched.

But my experiences have been that if you do the homework and present them with good stuff -then they are more likely to take it on.

 

The initiatives that you have set in place -like the FB Yahoo Asian Consumer and here,will together be a great resource collectively.

I suggest that you leave links at those other places to your thread here.

 

It will maybe take time,but like a Jigsaw,will need missing pieces putting in the picture.As well as Bolton TS I would suggest the Southern one are contacted also.

[MARTIN3030]

I will also change the thread title here-I think it is needed to draw attention to it for people doing a search.

[upendrab]

Thanks Martin. I have posted the leaflet of his business on FB page, and also left link for this forum for user to trace the start and other information. I wont mind even tweeting this story now...

 

Regards,

 

Upendra

[MARTIN3030]

Good,

[MARTIN3030]

http://www.facebook.com/pages/A-to-Z...=wall&filter=1

[shambhavi]

I am another victim of this "A to Z cargo Services" gang. He came to my house in preston to pick up the parcel (Panasonic microwave , Russle Hobbs toaster, Russel Hobbs Kettle , Designer closthes , Boxes of chocolates and biscuits) of 60Kgs. He charged me £4 per Kilogram. He collected the parcel in February and promised to deliver it by end of April. Its been 8 months now and my parce hasnt been delivered yet. He has stopped taking my calls now. I really want him to me prosecuted ASAP.

 

I think we should inform Inland revenue as well, so that they can check if he is paying tax and that his company is registered and who is the owner of this company.

[MARTIN3030]

How has everyone been paying for these services -by cash ?

You say that he came to you in Preston,how was contact first made-did you contact him first ?

Where did you obtain the details from to contact him ?

 

What information did he take from you -did he write it down or have a laptop ?

I am just thinking about the Data Protection Act and whether he would have a requirement to be licenced by the ICO.

[shambhavi]

One of my friends gave me his details , i contacted Ayiub and he said he will come over to my house to collect the parcel. He had a receipt book and a weighing machine. I paid him by cash. He took my address,delivery address and phone numbers.

 

He said he is a priest in one of the mosques in bolton.

[samara_khan]

Update on the company I used, A to Z Cargo Solutions UK - I had a phonecall from my cousin in Pakistan who told me the bag had been received but when she gave me the description of what the goods were my heart just sank.. she told me all the contents of the bag were old clothes that one would not even wipe their bottom with them and the actual bag they were sent in were a laundry bag..As soon as I put the phone down on her I called up Mr Shah and told him what had happened and he told me to call back tomorrow. He also said that he had tried his best to get the luggage delivered and that he had even closed down the business now because of all the problems encountered on this shipment. Anyway I told him what my bag looked like and he said he would look into it and I should call him back tomorrow. What the hell, I am so ANGRY right now. Oh and another thing my cousin told me that her address was on the laundry bag she received, I told her I didn't put an address on the bag and that they had written it themselves because the bag I sent was a completely different one.

I have written a complaint letter to Mr Shah and sent it via recorded delivery today.

[MARTIN3030]

Thanks for the update.

 

So he is saying he has closed the business ?

That is no consolation to those who used and paid for his services is it ?

 

Lets see what comes back from those speaking to Bolton TS.

[upendrab]

I have just spoken to Bolton Metropolitan Borough Council (Trading Std), they said they can only take action if he(Ayub/Shah) has committed a crime and has directed me to Consumerdirect which I have already consulted and has sent 1 warning letter to Mr Ayub. Its a civil case and I think only way this be conquered is via a Court case. Not sure how long it will take, but I do hope everyone has the reciept and leaflet, I can even get the call details from my cell phone provider "Three" if required.

 

Anyways, I will say send a first warning letter to the company, I can provide a template if you guys want.

 

We have paid him cash, but have the reciepts and Leaflet of the company. He doesnt take cash, and he has been referred some common friend who got the leaflet in his house. I am not sure if this is the first time they are acting dodgy or its a frequent affair.

[MARTIN3030]

Consumer Direct could refer the complaint to Bolton TS who in turn if there was enough supporting evidence,could prosecute.

Asking you to send a letter of complaint is a formality,and gives the trader opportunity to respond.

Consumer Direct and Trading standards expect that all avenues are explored in seeking resolution or a response.

 

It can be difficult to proceed where a trader is seen to be elusive or else fails to respond to communications.

 

In this instance there is reliance on building up evidence and finding an address for service of documents.

For a Civil action in a County Court,there are different rules for suing individuals and companies.

For a criminal action,this would be a matter for the Police and CPS,and while this could be considered to be a civil matter,if there is overwhelming evidence that there has been fraud or deceptive practices and they can be substantiated,then maybe the Police will handle a complaint.

They will want to see some evidence though,and this is going to be difficult to prove,as to whether there has been deliberate intent to defraud.

 

So determining the best course of action will be reliant on all those who have been affected to be working together and pooling information as has been suggested already.

 

It is not possible to know who is to blame for the missing consignments,but it is Mr.Shah who undertook to provide the services,and therefore it is not unreasonable to expect that he is able to provide an explanation and deal with complaints.

There is a fiduciary duty for him to do so.

I think that you should also be asking what Insurance was in place since to me,these sorts of business transactions should certainly have some cover,whether this be included in the final price or else offered as optional to the customer.