How to deal with conman

[Huldrekat]

My partner ordered a custom-built PC for his work from a sole trader here in Scotland. He paid in advance but a year later we still have no PC and this guy is no longer even answering our calls or e-mails. We have since found from other web forums that he has doen this before, and even those who did get their computers got them late and full of faults. We looked into taking him to the small-claims court, but apparently the financial thershold in Scotland is �750, much less than the cost of our non-existant PC. My other half seems resigned to writing this off as a bad debt, but I am incensed that this guy is continuing to trade and is getting away with it. What can we do, not just for ourselves but for others who may be duped?

[twiglet4frog]

Dont the sunday post or local newspapers up your way have a section where u can write in and name someone that is ripping u off and they investigate and try to get money back for u? Think its the Sunday Post Raw Deal section. Give that a try

[dilligaf]

Get in touch with your local trading standards office. They probably have other people complaining and will take action. Be prepared that if he does a runner or has no capital you wont get anything back, but worth a try and wont cost you anything.

[WendyS]

I don't know whether the BBC's WatchDog programme can help you.  They're pretty effective at shaming conmen but I don't know whether they would cover individuals living in Scotland.  You might be able to contact them via the BBC website.  Good luck with your efforts. Don't see why these individuals should get away with it.