Is this another Dash Coaches?

[scotsman]

From the event Mojo pointed out:

Nick Dodsworth
ere andy am i still a manager for hospitality

Creased!

 

[jon0844]

This thing is so farcical that I'd expect it to be nothing more than a bit of fun, or a college project to set up a business (in which case, despite the awful spelling and design - the concept is pretty sound).

It's the fact you can actually make REAL payments that worries me. I'm not too concerned that anyone has or will give money, but there's still a risk. Sadly, I doubt much can be done until any fraud is actually proven (and that means waiting) so the best thing to say is 'buyer beware' with fingers crossed that the human race hasn't become so dumbed down that anyone is going to decide to take a punt with this operation.

I guess this means I'm no longer his manager for media relations.

 

[telstarbox]

I submitted a 'booking' for 15 December for two people through one of his other websites last night. Today I was asked to make payment directly into a bank account:

From: AM
To: Me

Dear Charlie,
Thanks for your booking the total is £5 for you both, Please pay £5 per in branch with with following details:-

Bank: Halifax
Name: Andrew May
Account Number: (removed)
Sort Code: (removed)

Thank You for your custom. As soon as payment reccived e-tickect will be sent.

many thanks
@may
Andrew May
​

From: Me
To: AM

Hi Andrew,

How do I know this isn't a scam? There is no evidence that your coaches even exist. Why have you not registered a domain name for your business and why are you using multiple websites to sell tickets? It looks deeply suspicious.
​

From: AM
To: Me

Dear Charlie,
The company first service is on 23rd November 2012 and the company has just been created. the reason for the multiple websites is because we was just was just trying out different booking forms.

Many Thanks
@may​

Andrew May

 

[ainsworth74]

At £5 you should pay it and see what happens

 

[Ivo]

Do coach services have to be registered with VOSA in the same way as bus services? If yes, is the process for applying for service provision and finding the information on the Internet the same? If so, then his deadline would have been late September...

 

[overthewater]

Do coach services have to be registered with VOSA in the same way as bus services? If yes, is the process for applying for service provision and finding the information on the Internet the same? If so, then his deadline would have been late September...

No Coach service do not have to be registered, Only the bits were there get BSOG have to be.

None of the Megabus are reg.

 

[jon0844]

You make a payment to a personal account in the name of Andrew May, rather than a company? Okay, he might be a sole trader but that's not the impression I get from his sites - and I wonder what insurance he has (e.g. public liability insurance)?

I totally agree that for £5 it is worth someone going ahead and paying him, as that might then provide the evidence needed that it is a scam. I'm sure everyone on here will chip in if necessary.

 

[telstarbox]

I'll do it if anyone on here will provide 'insurance'!

 

[richw]

Ask him if he has paypal as that gives same protections as a credit card. As he expects bank transfer there is no way of paying by credit card then setting the credit card companies on him.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
It seems any route he is asked about he says he is just about to launch, anyone think of two places really obscure for a start and end point?

 

[richw]

To report a scam to facebook follow the guid I have attached

 

[northwichcat]

The provider of his booking form also has an abuse link next to the submit button:
http://leelon.moonfruit.com/#/book-now/4569805333

 

[ainsworth74]

Interesting spelling of Wakefield on that booking form...

 

[richw]

Interesting spelling of Wakefield on that booking form...

might be some new town called wakekeford though
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
A friend in the industry has confirmed all of the pictures are of coaches who belong to other operators, but he has heard of the guy and understands he has an old scania. He also commented that the concept will fail as going head to head directly with Megabus

 

[yorkie]

I'll do it if anyone on here will provide 'insurance'!

We need to make a booking for a journey that someone can actually turn up for (you wouldn't have to do the journey - clearly it won't be happening anyway - you'd just need to turn up at the origin). If someone is willing to do this, I will happily donate a couple of quid and I am sure others will too (if I am the only one then I'll give you a fiver to try it out).

 

[warriorofrovac]

So, this company has only just sprung up but on the homepage it says "Our family business was founded by Andrew in the vibrant city of Leeds in the heart of Yorkshire. Today the family continues to maintain the objectives for high quality and service set by our founder" so if they are continuing this practice, then why are they only beginning services in November?

In the emails telstarbox posted, this Andrew replies "The company first service is on 23rd November 2012 and the company has just been created" if this is the case, how can there be a testimonial from Pam and Terry?

 

[Ivo]

We need to make a booking for a journey that someone can actually turn up for (you wouldn't have to do the journey - clearly it won't be happening anyway - you'd just need to turn up at the origin). If someone is willing to do this, I will happily donate a couple of quid and I am sure others will too (if I am the only one then I'll give you a fiver to try it out).

I'll chip in a pound if it'll help. I'm sure one gold coin could change hands when some of us meet in Liverpool in the near future if need be.

 

[Eagle]

I'm sure one gold coin...

You use gold coins? :?

 

[overthewater]

This may sound stupid but maybe someone should phone the police. If this company is trying to get money for a service that will never appear then police would be interested.

 

[yorkie]

This may sound stupid but maybe someone should phone the police. If this company is trying to get money for a service that will never appear then police would be interested.

It is not yet clear that an offence has been committed.

 

[ainsworth74]

Yeah we need a 'volunteer' to try and actually use a service before it's worth trying to get the police or anyone else involved.

 

[overthewater]

Has anyone know the company Licences Number?

 

[Ivo]

You use gold coins? :?

OK, gold painted. Happy?

 

[Eagle]

OK, gold painted. Happy?

No. Since when have coins been painted?

 

[Darandio]

No. Since when have coins been painted?

They aren't?

I thought it was similar to the Shreddies situation, with the nana's knitting them. If the country gets into trouble, they just say "we'll paint more".

 

[telstarbox]

Against my better judgement I've made the payment, just waiting for my e-tickets now.
If anyone wants 2 tickets from Sheffield to Chesterfield on Saturday, December 15, 2012 let me know.

EDIT: E-ticket has arrived, it's a late one:

Ticket Type: e-ticket
Booking Reference: (removed)
Payment Received: 19th October 2012

Itinerary Details
Depart: Sheffield Interchange Stand E3, Pond Square, Sheffield 15/12/2012 02.30am
Arrive: Chesterfield Coach Station, Beetwell Street, Chesterfield 15/12/2012 03.10am

Thank you for choosing LeeLon Travel, Have a pleasant Journey.

 

[northwichcat]

This may sound stupid but maybe someone should phone the police. If this company is trying to get money for a service that will never appear then police would be interested.

It is not yet clear that an offence has been committed.

You don't need an actual offence to be committed for police to take action but the police will certainly give priority to actual crimes over plots.

 

[ainsworth74]

EDIT: E-ticket has arrived, it's a late one:

So now we need someone who lives in Sheffield and is something of a night owl...

 

[telstarbox]

Or someone in Chesterfield who fancies a night out with a free ride home?

 

[Ivo]

I've been advised that apparently these guys aren't registered at Companies House. Is this normal at this stage or should they be registered by now?

 

[overthewater]

I've been advised that apparently these guys aren't registered at Companies House. Is this normal at this stage or should they be registered by now?

There should be this late in the game...how else could you get everything else sorted.