verifying a business - UK

[Dickie E]

Hi all,

I didn't get any nibbles on my thread re. motorhomes in UK (maybe I'm on everyone's ignore list?)

A more general question: is there a Better Business Bureau, Consumer Affairs Office or similar in UK that I can contact to verify bona fides of a business?

 

[crossref]

How about trip advisor?

 

[Taff]

I Googled my own company the other day. There was a lot more information on the Companies House website than I would have thought.

 

[Flish]

If it's a ltd co / Plc then try www.duedil.com - all the companies house stuff, and a bit more for free, additional reports can be bought for a few quid. If a non legally regulated firm (eg sole trader or partnership) then nothing other than google for history am afraid

 

[L'irlandais]

Like Taff said try a Free WebCHeck on Companies House.

Be careful though scammers can use genuine company names & still send you dodgy direct contact details :

Miss Sarah Catherine Legg
Non-executive Director at Hang Seng Bank

Genuine company, related scam

 

[beckett50]

If it's a ltd co / Plc then try www.duedil.com - all the companies house stuff, and a bit more for free, additional reports can be bought for a few quid. If a non legally regulated firm (eg sole trader or partnership) then nothing other than google for history am afraid

Go with this. We use it work to help decide how much effort to put into securing a deal. It's not gospel, but as good as you'll get.

 

[Dixie]

Any worthwhile company will have registered for VAT in the UK - the turnover threshold requiring registration is just £81,000. If you have the company's alleged VAT number, you can verify that it is a valid one by running it through the EU's VAT number checker: http://ec.europa.eu/taxation_customs/vies/

 

[Dickie E]

I'm not so worried about a scam. More concerned about a company that goes belly-up between the time I pay the deposit (ie become an unsecured creditor) and September.

An example:
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/new...e-after-13-years/story-e6frg6nf-1226068243723

 

[Andrew1974]

Don't know if it is the same downunder but in the UK if you pay by credit card his provides an element of insurance against such eventualilites.

 

[Taff]

Don't know if it is the same downunder but in the UK if you pay by credit card his provides an element of insurance against such eventualities.

That's what I would do Dickie.

 

[chbg]

Don't know if it is the same downunder but in the UK if you pay by credit card his provides an element of insurance against such eventualities.

As long as it is between £100 and £3000 (I think).

 

[Browner]

As long as it is between £100 and £3000 (I think).

Slightly more ....

http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1974/39/section/75

http://www.moneysupermarket.com/credit-cards/guide-to-credit-card-protection/

 

[Dickie E]

Thanks one and all.

I've had great advice on this issue and will now become a customer with the aforementioned business.

However, if I arrive in Blighty in September and find this on the front door I will be very sad:



Thread now closed.

 

[Simon Thomas]

I

Thanks one and all.

I've had great advice on this issue and will now become a customer with the aforementioned business.

However, if I arrive in Blighty in September and find this on the front door I will be very sad:


View attachment 3135

Thread now closed.

Dickie

We have a general election in May, which many commentators suggest is the most important in a generation for the economic future of the UK.

So by October there will be a new government in place and the economic outlook could be very different.
And the price of oil which is currently plummeting, could have risen back to USD 100 + a barrel, which could directly affect a vehicle hire company.
Business continuity is never guaranteed.

 

[Dickie E]

sorry, ST, glass-half-empty posts aren't allowed.

Can I please stay at your place if my motorhome falls through? We don't eat much

 

[SimonSmith]

Stay in the stables, muck out the horses, and you can eat downstairs with the rest of them!