Shipping question

[phil24_7]

I am about to buy a digger from Scotland and the seller is requestiong I pay the money up front to a shipping company called:

TOLSAGE SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED
12TH FLOOR, SEA CONTAINERS HOUSE 20 UPPER GROUND
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
SE1 9PD
Company No. 05212734

Does anyone know if this company is a reputable one?

I have heard stories about shipping companys in the past and was wondering how safe this practise is?

Is there any way I can protect myself, like paying with a credit card, so that if nothing materialises, I can get my money back?

Regards

[454697819]

I dont know but there is nothing like peace of mind of driving and collecting yourself? is this not an option?

[husky03]

what company are you buying from mate?

[phil24_7]

Tis a bit far. Am considering trying to organising my own shipping though.

[phil24_7]

what company are you buying from mate?

Private seller.

[phil24_7]

If it is a scam, will a corporate credit card cover me?

[husky03]

nah feck that -i'd be going up to see the thing in person and arranging transport my self-if it helps you can store it in my driveway until you can arrange the transport that way you can pay cash and don't need to worry about getting bumped-you'll be able to hire a trailer for a few days for cheap money eh?

[phil24_7]

I'm trying to get his address now. I have a courier friend who would collect it for us, he would also pay and cast an eye over it before he paid. I think this is a safer option.

Regards
Phil

[husky03]

sound mate -if you need a place to leave it for a few days etc let me know-happy to help out.

[phil24_7]

Cheers bud, had no reply from him as yet so I think it may be a scam!

[husky03]

you seen this one -

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/PEL-JOB-1-5-TON-DIESEL-MINI-DIGGER-EXCAVATOR-PLANT-COD-/250728572413?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_Agricultural Vehicles_SM&hash=item3a609665fd

[phil24_7]

Yeah, watching that, but It's a little big. I would go that big for the right digger at the right price!

[Dicky Ticker]

May sound bizarre but why a shipping company----whats wrong with a transport company------VERRY IFFFY

[davepreston]

hire me a van and i'll pick it up for ya
having a c+e is handy :)

[phil24_7]

Sounds like a scam, so I am moving forward with extreme caution.

Regards

[phil24_7]

I have the address of the guy who is allegedly selling it, anyone in Aberdeen wanna go pay him a visit? Interestingly, the shipping company, that has a company address in London, and no website, gave me a number for Aberdeen too!

Seller's Name: Mark Herman
Seller's Address: 4 Walton Rd, Bucksburn, Aberdeen City AB21 9TX, UK

[phil24_7]

The item is allegedly stored at: 17 Howe Moss Drive, Aberdeen City AB21 0GP

[aarond]

when you needing it looked at? know nothing about them though? and cant promise i can no car right now in aberdeen.

[aarond]

thats dyce will try phoning dyziog he works in dyce

[Ed]

Sounds like a scam, so I am moving forward with extreme caution.

Thought it would have stopped you in your tracks:)

[phil24_7]

Just need to check this company exists at the storage place really and to see if the digger exists. Other option is to see if this guy actually lives at that address.

Only need someone to swing by.

[phil24_7]

Thought it would have stopped you in your tracks:)

Where's the unlike button!

[aarond]

no response from dyzio yet sent him a text. I would go but dont have any transport so getting to dyce would be a mission assume you have googled? come up with this

http://www.bdnorthscotland.co.uk/company-details.asp?bn=British+International+Helicopters&bid=77201

[phil24_7]

I got a different company. Core Laboratorties!

[DSGMATT]

Just ran a quick check - they do exist, but I would be wary as the Seller may be using them as a front - he could still get your funds through them but not actually supply the digger. I would avoid at all costs.Available Reports Details


Company Name:

TOLSAGE SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED
Company No: 05212734
Registered Office:Incorporated: 23/08/200412TH FLOOR, SEA CONTAINERS HOUSE 20 UPPER GROUND
LONDON
UNITED KINGDOM
SE1 9PD
Company Type: Private Limited Company
Company Status: Active
Accounts Type: SMALLLatest Accounts to: 31/12/2009Latest Return to: 13/07/2010

[phil24_7]

Yeah, found that. There is little else about them on the web though. Just doing my final checks before I walk.

If the company or storage place is where they say it is, and the adress given is his, then there's not too much to worry about, especially if I can pay with credit card.

Regards

[aarond]

sorry i couldnt get out today.. problem is dyce is about 10ish miles from me and no car right now. try sending a pm to dyzio? he works in dyce, i havent had a reply yet from him. but that doesnt mean much knowing me i took down the wrong number

[dyzio]

Sorry mate, forgot my phone today and didn't get the message till now.

Yeah, I work in that area, drop me a pm if I can help.

[phil24_7]

Just been sent a link by them to their website: http://www.tolsage.co.uk/

[mattSV]

How are they asking you to pay - direct to a bank account?

If so, how do you know if the bank account is actually linked to Tolsage?

[maviczap]

Sea Containers house is the old HQ of the former HM Customs & Excise. It may still be, but I can't check right now.

But I seem to remember it being 22 Upper Ground

[Sheps]

Im often in that area. If i get a chance Ill see if I can look by this week

[phil24_7]

Cheers Sheps.

Yes, direct into account, hence the caution, I have no idea who the account holders name is!

Just seems odd that they are registered in London, yet their CENTRAL shipping yard is Aberdeen, conveniently where the seller is located. In fact, just around the corner, a couple miles away! The guy who phoned me yesterday, sounded decidedly foreign too, almost like they worked for Dell or AOL! :D

[Fluffer]

smells fishy to me. And thats from someone who is actively naieve when it comes to private interwebs purchases because i like to put faith in human nature.

If i'm right, direct account payment can't be reversed and i doubt there's any coverage from banks / credit card protection. Even with credit card i doubt a private deal would fall under card protection but may be wrong so someone please say if i'm wide of the mark.

Legitimate front addresses have been known to be used to give some credence to the seller then once the dosho transferred they're off to the costa brava for a sangia with your reddies. :smt028

Just buy a shovel, put some elbow grease in and spend what you save on an org new year bash :D

[dyzio]

As I said in the PM, that industrial estate is a barsteward to find anything.

Drove up and down Howe Moss drive a few times, but didn't see anything saying called "Tolsage Shippng". Spoke to some blokes in overalls, didn't know anything about it.

I tried calling the number from their site from the work phone and ask for directions, but after dialling you get about 5seconds of silence, before getting the "waiting" tone (redirecting?) - no one answered. The phone rings instantly when I call a different Aberdeen land line (my flat).

[phil24_7]

Cheers for your help Dyz, I think I'm gonna pull out of this one, I like my money too much!

Cheers for everyones help in the matter.

[tinpants]

Phil!!!!

DON'T DO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Just stop right there mate!! I very nearly bought a digger from the same bloke a few weeks back. The digger does NOT exist. You will pay your money and get nothing in return.

Pull the plug on it mate.

BTW, I haven't read the entire thread so don't know exactly what it is you're looking for, but as I've been in the plant industry for the past 20 years (with a few breaks here and there) I've got loads of contacts. PM me what you're after and I'll see what I can sort out for you.

Please, please, please don't buy this one!!

[Quiff Wichard]

he needs reporting phil to the police with all the details you have..

[phil24_7]

I'm not Nick. Just been doing my homework, as something seemed fishy. If a few things added up, I was considering it, but nothing does so I'm out!

I'll drop you a pm in a bit dear fellow.

[phil24_7]

he needs reporting phil to the police with all the details you have..

Which department? Local Police aren't gonna give a monkeys.

[Fluffer]

Number of people on here who are shopping for diggers is rather impressive. Lets ditch the minitwins and and get a bobcat race series going!

[phil24_7]

I'm in!

[danando]

Hi Phil
I dont have an SV, I only joined this site to tell you my story regarding my dealings with the same people/person. I replied to an advert in MCN for a buell for £2200. They normally go for £4000-£5000 so I emailed the seller straight away as I thought I was in for a bargain. I got similar speil to yours- wants the money up front and a shipping company(Tolsage(UK)shipping)are holding it. It would be delivered once the money is in the account. Please read the last email I got from him. Note his home address, look familiar?

Hi,
The registration of the bike is: MX08BHU. The name of the shipping company is Tolsage Shipping and the bike is stored in Aberdeen.
My address is:
4 Walton Road
Aberdeen
AB21 9TX
Also, the bank account details will be provided by the shipping company.

Thank you,
Thomas

Looks like he's changed his name (Thomas Prescott)or has some other partners in crime.
I would like to go to the police but dont feel they would do much or are powerless to.
I thought it sounded a little dodgy but a friend told me I was being synical and should be more trusting!
I found this website after typing in Tolsage shipping scam as I thought there would be something out there tied to the same scam.
Could also be fate- I've been after a buell lightning for a long time now but have never considered an sv...until now :-)

[darkdreamsgal]

I can't believe the lengths scammers will go to these days... GRRRR.............................

Maybe you should take a leaf out of this guy's book? ;-)

http://www.zug.com/pranks/powerbook/

[phil24_7]

Danando - If you contact the police, feel free to point them here, or pm me a number to contact them (I know the 999 one, but I'm on about a direct dial for the investigating officer! :D). I would be happy to tell them my story.

Looks like I may have to post the TOLSAGE SHIPPING (UK) LIMITED scam on a few more forums, it'll be easier to find for people doing a search!

P.S. Welcome to the forum.

Regards

[davla]

Thank god i saw your threads. i was just about to buy a Suzuki gsx1400 very cheap from this reptile, same script was given me from you guessed Tommy Prescott in Aberdeen with the same shipping company.
His original advert was in Gumtree classifieds and when i e mailed him he said he was working on the oil rigs so thats why he used Tolsage.
Once again thanks to you guys for flagging up this scammer.

[phil24_7]

That's exactly what he said to me. Funnily enough, I didn't think someone who worked the rigs for 13 weeks on, 1 week off, 13 weeks on would need to sell anything. They'd be minted! :D

May see if the cops are interested in this.

[Shellywoozle]

he needs reporting phil to the police with all the details you have..

Police wont be interested if on ebay as ebay have their own fraud/investigation dept, report him to ebay !

Well we dont anyway dont know what other forces are like but we dont investigate stuff that can be investgated inhouse.

Same with banks etc

[phil24_7]

I found him on gumtree, as did one of the other fellas.

[davla]

Phil, just found this. interesting reading go to: ukbike.com search thread ...bike scam alert

this guy has been busy !

[littleoldman]

Well having visited ukbike.com I'm gobsmaked that after all these frauds no real action seems to being taken by the site to stop these adverts. What action is being taken by the police we don't know as they are hardly going to put it in the public domain. Read the thread and beware. At least Phil didn't fall for it.

[phil24_7]

Just glad I'm a geeky scrooge!

[Roy]

The name Tolsage is being used by someone in a scam, I have been the subject of such a scam and have lost a great deal of money trying to buy a motorcycle.

ALL PEOPLE SHOULD BE AWARE OF THIS!!!!!!!!!!!

Please report all problems to the local POLICE who have been very helpfull!!!!!!

Do not let this person get away with this!!!


Roy

[phil24_7]

Roy, point them here. I'll happily talk to them.

[Roy]

Thank you for that Phil, I will do so but if you have had a problem like mine you should report it to your local police.
You can tell them that both Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire police would like any information you can give them.

I have crime numbers if they need them.

Happy new year to you!

[G]

The scale that this guy is operating on is incredible, it would be very easily traceable. My girlfriend is deputy head of fraud/financial crime at one of the biggest banks in the UK and deals with this all the time and it simple but time consuming so the police are not interested unless it's handed to them on a plate.

Most police forces will have 2 or 3 'fraud investigators' and most of the time they are frankly useless and don't understand the banking systems enough to figure it all out. There's also nothing in it for them so they concentrate on proceeds of crime cases.

It's sucks because these idiots could easily be traced and brought to justice.

[Roy]

Hello G, Thanks for the information.

Is your girlfriend able to assist in tracking down this person and perhaps with my dealings with my bank to get money back as an account was opened by this individual at one of the Big Four banks.

Would she have any ideas about procedure?

Many Thanks

[jonny.boyd]

I can't believe the lengths scammers will go to these days... GRRRR.............................

Maybe you should take a leaf out of this guy's book? ;-)

http://www.zug.com/pranks/powerbook/

Just read that whole story... WOW LONNGGG story!

but it's is pure genius! I'm so glad there people out there with the balls to try and trick the scammer! And the trouble they went to to do it all aswell (getting donations to ship package, sending people into delivery address in London) just complete genius! :cool: