He took my car in to 'restore' and it came back to me a year overdue, having spent a year chasing him, calling him, visiting, being told countless times "it will be ready next week" On one occasion he was supposed to bring it round to me after I had lost my patience about it and contacted the Police, I texted him on a Saturday morning as arranged, and he said he was on his way, and I didn't hear from him for weeks. It was one bare faced lie after another. I think in that 12 Month period we arranged about 8 or 10 times for me to collect it, having been assured it was pretty much ready, and yeah I could collect it in a couple of days, I would then get no replies from calls or texts.
It was only when I went to the police to report my mini stolen, and got solicitors involved that he would call me. Eventually after taking legal advice and making Kel aware that he was holding my car without my permission, we arranged to pick it up.
I did wonder why he was only available at night time for me to pick it up... Having got the car home (although only just as all 4 wheels were loose and the fuel pipe was resting on the exhaust) I understood why. A really shoddy job. Paint sprayed on the windows, drips everywhere, big patches of unpolished rough paint. I was gutted. Within just a couple of weeks rust spots were coming through. I was really hoping after a year of hell with Kel, getting the actual Mini back would have made the nightmare worthwhile, but no, it was awful.
Having brought this to Kel's attention he said he would put it right, but again, time and time again he would delay me dropping it off (something I was wary about as I was worried I wouldn't see my car for another year, but solicitor said I had to give him the chance to put it right). weeks and months passed and again one excuse after another.
I was ready to take him to court, but to be honest had had enough, so have now sold my Mini.
It is really sad, because the whole nightmare experience with Kel, constantly lying, then the car being a very poor standard, has tainted the whole mini ownership experience. Every time I looked out the window I was reminded of the hassle he caused, so now it's gone.
I think the saddest thing now, is that a friend of mine is now going through exactly the same thing and his Mini is about a year overdue from a job Kel said would take a couple of weeks. It's almost laughable.
The reason I am putting this on here is to warn people. I would hate this to happen to others. Kel contacted me through the forum and I wish I had the full story about him. No doubt some will have had positive experiences with Kel, I just hope people will be well informed before they hand him keys to their car.
Edited by TheFunkyDuck, 30 May 2011 - 10:39 AM.