WARNING BULLETIN No 33
BEWARE ROGUE TRADERS ACTIVE IN THE PARK HOME INDUSTRY


PHRAA is investigating a recently received report from a very distressed park homeowner concerning refurbishing works he and another neighbour had commissioned a firm going under the name of "Worldwide Park Homes" to carry out on their park homes.
Following our receipt of a copy of the firms impressive Quotation/Receipt document I telephoned the mobile phone company displayed to ascertain whether or not this was a bona fida company. Unfortunately as suspected the gentleman who answered the phone said he had never heard of Worldwide Park Homes and claimed he worked in an office. The only conclusion to be drawn from this is that this is obviously a bogus company posing as a park home refurbishment firm praying on the elderly and vulnerable extracting as much money as possible for work they have not, or have any intention, of completing.
The form of agreement to the work being carried , signed by the customer, states in large print that the work carries a "15 year guarantee" and further states that "The customer is not required to pay for any work carried out, until the above work has been completed and the customer is fully satisfied." It is alleged that the firm carried some of the work they were contracted to do, but after about 3 hours payment in full was requested on the promise that they would return and complete the work the next day. Needless to say that having received payment in full, which incidentally was some £1,000 above the quoted price agreed with the customer, they have never been seen since. Considering that this firm obtained around £1,700 from of these two homeowners, they have netted a total of £3,400 for 3 hours work, which has left both customers with the prospect of having to find even more money to employ a reputable firm to complete the work and probably rectify the mess left behind.
Please, anyone considering employing contractors to carry out work on their homes, only use contractors by either personal recommendation or those who are MEMBERS OF THE GUILD OF PARK HOME SERVICES who's names, contact numbers and credentials can easily be checked by a simple phone call to 0800 781 3462. Reputable Firms will not demand money up front or before the work agreed is completed to your satisfaction.
It is probable that although in this instance this firm was trading under the name of "Worldwide Park Homes" they may well be using many other different names, some even imitating the names of reputable firms. I did note that  contained in the list of work they undertake displayed on this companies leaflet/form they state that "DECO ROOFS" fitted. This is obviously meant to mislead customers to think they are registered and qualified fitters of "DECRA ROOF TILES". The same list states "Exterior Painting with a Difference". The DIFFERENCE being that they start painting, but don't finish!!!!!
As I said at the beginning of the bulletin, PHRAA is investigating this case through various channels in a bid to achieve some sort of redress for those unfortunate residents if possible. But experience tells us that it can be notoriously difficult to track such firms down. So don't hold your breath!
To avoid any other park homeowners being duped in the same way, please heed PHRAA's warning and BE VERY CAREFUL ABOUT ANYONE YOU EMPLOY TO CARRY OUT WORK ON YOUR PARK HOME. BUT ABOVE ALL DO NOT PAY OUT ANY MONEY BEFORE THE WORK IS COMPLETED. If you do you may not see them again.

Complied for PHRAA by Ron JOyce, General Secretary.                                                            September 2007.