Chap I know had an unpleasant experience last week in Bristol.
He runs a small one man band business (not window cleaning) and bought a newer large van and decided to sell his old one rather than trade it in.
He gets a call off a very polite guy purporting to be from Manchester who "desperately" needs a van and will give him £2000 for it sight unseen - doesn't even ask the mileage or condition. Arranges to come down to Bristol two days later to get it. (This was a van that was probably worth about £1600 in the sellers view.)
Bloke turns up with a mate and goes for the jugular in a verbal and intimidatory way. (Bear in mind that the seller is an older chap in his sixties on his own in a tiny industrial unit.)
"That's a F***** shed, I've come all this way - you didn't tell me it was a load of S***! I'll give you £500." When the chap refuses the guy gets mouthier and starts screaming about his fuel costs and that he'd better reimburse him or else.
Chap gathers his wits and says clear off or I'll call the police and the guy blocks him from going into his own office to the phone. Then he runs over to his fork truck, nicks the key and runs to his mate who drives off!
Police reckon it was a pair of local Pikeys who thought they could either get a cheap van, nick something else for a later break-in or get fuel money by pretending they'd come all the way from Manchester.
The chap has now got to change the ignition key on his fork truck and is expecting a break in sometime over the next twelve months by someone who has the key for it.
Be careful out there and if a phone offer sounds too good to be true it probably is - and don't leave your missus alone to receive prospective buyers!
Hang'em I say!
