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Trader 'up to his old tricks'

Date published: 08 August 2009

A trader who was forced by Rochdale Council to make a legal promise to stop trading illegally, and make refunds where requested by customers, is again causing concern to customers.

John Hallisey, previously of Simply Solar now of SPWEC, is said to be “up to his old tricks again” by a customer in Chester who ordered a solar hot water system from SPWEC after seeing a advert in the BBC Focus magazine.

Grahame Polley of Chester said: “I have, perhaps foolishly, paid the whole amount i.e. £1500 with a promised delivery date of the 3 August. This date has come and gone and there is no sign of the goods. What is more worrying is that the company telephone number only goes to an answer machine. I emailed Mr Hallisey and I know he has opened the email but so far there hasn't been any response.”

Simple Solar operated from Castleton and advertised in popular broadsheet newspapers such as The Guardian and The Independent, offering to supply and install solar panel systems. In good faith, customers paid deposits up front of between £500 and £1500, but then the company did not deliver the goods.

The Council investigated 30 complaints received over a six month period from customers up and down the country. It was decided that enough evidence had been collated to start legal proceedings against Simple Solar Ltd and its Director, Mr John Hallisey.

It was the first time the council had taken formal action under the Enterprise Act against a trader.

Comments

I have just found this article and find myself in the same boat as Grahame Polley.
I gave SPWEC £3000 for a hot water and heating solar panel installation and this company has not delivered.
The installation date was set for the 15th July 2009.
They don't return my calls or reply to my emails.
I have demanded a refund and so far I have received nothing.
I would be happy to speak to anybody that currently find themselves in the same situation.

I did have an email from them on the 10th August saying that they would give me a delivery date by the end of the week. That didn't happen. I tried to reply to the email but that bounced, email address not known. Still no answer from the office phone.

Im in the same boat guys, failed install on the 7 July then delays getting another date.
I have had calls from John and Kevin. They told me about delays to the shipment and customs clearance, trading standards have seen the stock they say. Kevin gave me a delivery date of the 4 Sept -install 5th. I will update you. If they fail this time I have written requesting a full immediate refund without any penalty.

We paid a £500 deposit to SPWEC to install solar hot water system and then the balance on the date of the installation but they failed to turn up twice.
When we can get through to them we get nothing but lies. From John Hallisey, Kevin Parr, and Nathan Stott who assured us that he had himself posted a refund cheque to us. We are still waiting and still trying to get through to them.

Hi Guys,
I posted the first comment.
Looks like we are really being taken for mugs by this company. I was told by Kevin Parr that a refund would be made on 1st Sept. So far nothing. I don´t believe their intentions are honorouble. How would you all feel about presenting ourselves at their company and staging a sit in until we get back what is ours?

Fourth driver called in sick, but they hadn't booked an installer - odd. Chris Turner has guaranteed delivery and install this Saturday 12th. But I can't get anyone on phone/mail.
Refunds are only given at end of month they say - T&C don't say this.
Is it time to call Trading Standards?

Guys if anyone wants to email me and find out any details I have found out and the actions I have taken let me know.

I have also been a victim of John Hallisey, he is an absolute conman and should never be allowed to conduct business again! He is still trading from SPWEC but only deals with cash on delivery apparently!

Guess what? Nothing turned up yesterday - no call no contact nothing. This company and all staff seem to be in on this. New name - Gary Lucy - emailed me 9-9-09 to confirm delivery plus install yesterday.
Call to Rochdale Trading Standards tomorrow - everyone should do the same and get them shutdown.

My wife was told that because I had "spoken" to the press they were cancelling my order (good) and would refund my money by the end of the month. They were supposed to send a letter confirming this which should have arrived last Monday, guess what, it didn't. There has been no further contact from them since then.

search the web for "REAL Assurance Scheme" that will make you laugh and SPWEC on that site - will be contacting them too as well as watchdog and trading standards

Was given a refund date of 1st September. Still nothing.
Real Assurance have now started an investigation so has the
CIB. I suggest you contact them ASAP, the more the better.
Rochdale Council are also investigating. I think we are but the tip of the iceberg.

Go to http://www.freeindex.co.uk/profile(spwec)_161190.htm
where you can write a review about SPWEC. You'll find my email there in case you want to contact me.

I have just added my review to freeindex and also my email address so like wise if anyone wants to contact me please get it from there. Since I have had no contact from SPWEC as to why they didn't turn up on the 12th as Guaranteed by Chris Turner and failed to get through on the phone I have sent a mail requesting a full refund as per their T&C. Im sure they will ignore this as well!

They cancelled my order because of my supposed comments to the press and promised that I would get my money refunded by the end of the month. Eight days and counting. The order cancellation was in writing but the refund was only verbal.

How to hurt your website - by putting our favorite company on it.

http://www.enviro-live.com/solar-power-hot-water-system.html

Have now reported this to Watchdog. So far nothing on the refund, even though its been 23 days since the date given by Kevin Parr. Will commence legal action next week.

Everyone - Bad news - Got a mail from Chris Turner today saying they have no money so cant refund and they also have no stock.
Looks like John Hallisey is about to do the same with SPWEC as he did with Simple Solar - Get away with his SCAM!

Everyone - Bad news Got a mail from Chris Turner today saying they have no money so cant refund and they also have no stock which they told me - hmmmm must have missed that email or phone call.
Looks like John Hallisey is about to do the same with SPWEC as he did with Simply Solar - Get away with his SCAM!

Let me clarify for Chris the comment "no stock". I think hes upset with me.
They tell me they have my system in stock, Yipee, only problem is it seems to be stuck in there as two saturdays in a row 5th/12th they failed to load it from the warehouse to van, drive and install it on my house.

So to me the system doesnt exist in my world! Which = no stock, whatever way you want to dress it up Mr Turner hope that clarifies the position - So refund please! Oh forgot you are short on cash flow.

In any event, where a member uses a consumer's money to purchase equipment, the member will hold the equipment on trust for the consumer and will keep the equipment separate from its own goods and those of third parties. The member will keep such equipment properly stored, protected, insured and identified as the consumer's property. The consumer should be able to inspect or repossess the equipment at any time. (REAL Assurance, Code)

SPWEC have been in serious breach of code of conduct.

My system arrived this morning much to my surprise. Apparently they should have installers trained up by the end of this week.

It is now the 3 December, five months since I ordered my system and still no sign of an installation date.

Finally getting my system installed but not by SPWEC who seem to have vanished off the face of the earth. I have sent them various emails regarding a promised refund but they can’t even be bothered to answer them. PLEASE don’t give them your business.

Just had my Solar Hot Water system (as supplied by SPWEC) installed by Advance Solar Energy Ltd from Warrington who did an excellent job and thoroughly recommended. The system appears to be working OK although the pumping station supplied by SPWEC had to be fixed because it leaked internally. They also swapped over the cylinder for one that fitted my airing cupboard. The work took three and a half days to complete not the eight hours suggested by SPWEC.
The SPWEC phone lines are unobtainable.