0:00:02 > 0:00:03If you're owed money but aren't getting paid,
0:00:03 > 0:00:05it's time to call the sheriffs.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07My name's Mr Grix, my colleague and I are Enforcement Agents.
0:00:07 > 0:00:09I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11I've got to do what I'm instructed to by the courts.
0:00:11 > 0:00:15They're Enforcement Agents of the High Court.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18And if a court's ruled in your favour - they're on your side.
0:00:20 > 0:00:25- If the debtor doesn't want to pay... - You currently owe £9,461.80.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28..the law says the sheriffs can get you what you're owed.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30If you don't come to the door, we have to remove
0:00:30 > 0:00:31the vehicle off the drive.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34You'll have a week to pay in full before it gets sold at auction.
0:00:34 > 0:00:37- Whether it's a small company...- Can I speak to the person in charge, please?
0:00:37 > 0:00:39..or a household name...
0:00:39 > 0:00:41We're here to see somebody from G4S.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44..if they owe you money, the sheriffs get it paid.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46I'm not going anywhere, you get him to come in here.
0:00:46 > 0:00:49We're not going to be waiting around like that. It needs to be done now.
0:00:49 > 0:00:50I just collected 42 grand.
0:00:55 > 0:00:56Coming up,
0:00:56 > 0:01:00Mandy Springer was sold a car with a dangerous flaw...
0:01:00 > 0:01:03This was the one where the wheel came off.
0:01:03 > 0:01:06My grandson and I definitely could have been killed that day.
0:01:06 > 0:01:09..but the dealership which sold it to her isn't keen to
0:01:09 > 0:01:10pay for the repairs.
0:01:10 > 0:01:14£1,140.62 pays us, gets her paid and we're gone.
0:01:14 > 0:01:16Eh, no.
0:01:16 > 0:01:19A recruitment agency hasn't paid one of its workers.
0:01:19 > 0:01:22Now the boss threatens us.
0:01:29 > 0:01:33A shop which sells mobility scooters owes a customer a refund.
0:01:33 > 0:01:37The sheriffs plan to get it, whatever it takes.
0:01:37 > 0:01:38The goods will be going,
0:01:38 > 0:01:41because there's no evidence that they belong to anybody else.
0:01:41 > 0:01:46And in Burnley, a car yard is suffering an identity crisis.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49If you're trading as East Lancs Van Sales, you'll have a company's
0:01:49 > 0:01:50house number, won't you?
0:01:50 > 0:01:52But will the sheriffs get paid?
0:01:57 > 0:02:02It's 10am and Lawrence Grix and Kev McNally are in Windsor,
0:02:02 > 0:02:06on the trail of a second-hand car salesman with a debt.
0:02:06 > 0:02:09This morning, we are going to see a Mr Howard Brigman,
0:02:09 > 0:02:12trading as Primavera Cars.
0:02:12 > 0:02:15He owes £1,140.
0:02:15 > 0:02:18This is expenses incurred.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21Four days after the purchase of a Land Rover Freelander
0:02:21 > 0:02:22and the wheel fell off it.
0:02:24 > 0:02:25Not ideal.
0:02:25 > 0:02:29No, it's not good to have a wheel fall off any vehicle, really.
0:02:29 > 0:02:32So, yeah. That's who we're after now. We're a couple of miles away.
0:02:33 > 0:02:37Lawrence and Kev are working on behalf of Mandy Springer.
0:02:37 > 0:02:40She was driving with her grandchild, Dante, in the car
0:02:40 > 0:02:43when the incident happened.
0:02:43 > 0:02:46She'd only just bought the Land Rover from a local dealer
0:02:46 > 0:02:49she'd found on the internet called Primavera Cars.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53The salesman seemed fairly helpful, he was quite a friendly fellow
0:02:53 > 0:02:57and he didn't seem to know very much about the car, actually.
0:02:57 > 0:03:03When I was asking him had the car been serviced? He said, "Oh, no."
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Nevertheless, it seemed to be what she was looking for.
0:03:06 > 0:03:08My husband and I looked over the car,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11we did pop the bonnet as well, we looked underneath for any
0:03:11 > 0:03:13kind of mysterious rusting
0:03:13 > 0:03:17and you know, it seemed sound to look at.
0:03:20 > 0:03:24The Land Rover had a new MOT and Mandy negotiated a discount
0:03:24 > 0:03:27to pay for a service she'd arrange later.
0:03:29 > 0:03:34Thinking she had a good deal, she paid £3,600 and drove it away.
0:03:36 > 0:03:40Only a few days later, disaster struck.
0:03:41 > 0:03:45I'd come off the motorway and as I pressed the brake, the car shook,
0:03:45 > 0:03:47I just about held it...
0:03:48 > 0:03:50..and you could hear
0:03:50 > 0:03:52something, like, it snapped.
0:03:54 > 0:03:56I was very fortunate that the guy behind me
0:03:56 > 0:03:58didn't actually smash into me.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Another guy came out and was knocking on the window,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05shouting, "Your wheel's come off the car!"
0:04:05 > 0:04:08The wheel had come almost completely detached.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12And the car was stranded in the middle of the road.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15We're in two lanes of traffic because the car had slightly swerved
0:04:15 > 0:04:16into the other lane,
0:04:16 > 0:04:18so we could have been hit by any car coming down.
0:04:18 > 0:04:23I think my grandson and I definitely could have been killed that day.
0:04:23 > 0:04:25It wasn't safe to stay in the car,
0:04:25 > 0:04:29so Mandy took 22-month-old Dante onto the verge
0:04:29 > 0:04:31and called Primavera Cars.
0:04:31 > 0:04:35There was no footway to stand, so we were standing in brambles.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37I was trying to get help from the garage.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41In the end, it was kind of like I was just arguing
0:04:41 > 0:04:43and wasting my time. He refused to help me.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48He didn't care, he didn't care at all.
0:04:48 > 0:04:50So Mandy called the police who helped recover the car.
0:04:52 > 0:04:54But Primavera wouldn't take it back.
0:04:56 > 0:04:59They said no, they didn't want to help at all.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03Instead, it was delivered to a Land Rover specialist.
0:05:03 > 0:05:07When he examined it, Mandy was shocked by what he found.
0:05:08 > 0:05:11He gave me four of these, these are spacers.
0:05:11 > 0:05:14I didn't know anything about spacers until he told me.
0:05:14 > 0:05:17It's to make the wheels look bigger, make the car look bulkier,
0:05:17 > 0:05:21so maybe a boy racer might have stuff like this on their cars.
0:05:22 > 0:05:25The spacer sits between the hub and the wheel,
0:05:25 > 0:05:29and on this one, four of the five connecting bolts had failed.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33This was the one where the wheel came off,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36it was just by the grace of God that that one held on.
0:05:36 > 0:05:41Using wheel spacers isn't illegal in the UK, but should be declared
0:05:41 > 0:05:45to insurance companies as an after-market modification.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48Mandy feels she ought to have been warned.
0:05:48 > 0:05:52These should have been taken off the car prior to them selling it.
0:05:52 > 0:05:54They should have known about these.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Mandy took Howard Brigman to court.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59He didn't defend the case and was ordered to pay her back
0:05:59 > 0:06:02the money she spent on fixing the car and her costs.
0:06:04 > 0:06:09Brigman offered to pay Mandy by bank transfer, but she was worried.
0:06:09 > 0:06:10I didn't trust their actions at all.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13There was no way I was going to give them my bank details.
0:06:13 > 0:06:17Wary of giving out her details, Mandy said she wanted a cheque,
0:06:17 > 0:06:20one of the other payment methods recommended by the court.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22But Brigman refused.
0:06:22 > 0:06:25At one point, they called me eight times in one day,
0:06:25 > 0:06:29kept calling and calling and saying, "We want your bank details.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31"If you don't give us your bank details,
0:06:31 > 0:06:34"we're going to issue a counter action against you."
0:06:34 > 0:06:38They could have made payment at any time and they refuse to do it.
0:06:38 > 0:06:41And then there were the text messages.
0:06:41 > 0:06:43"I'm still not happy about the way this has played out
0:06:43 > 0:06:47"and I would suggest you receive adequate training in car mechanics
0:06:47 > 0:06:51"before checking the vehicle over yourself in future instances."
0:06:51 > 0:06:52So I thought...
0:06:54 > 0:06:58..at the end of the day, you sold a car to somebody,
0:06:58 > 0:07:00it could have killed them.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02In fact, the law makes it clear that the dealer is
0:07:02 > 0:07:05responsible for the vehicle being fit for purpose.
0:07:05 > 0:07:09With the garage apparently unwilling to send her the cheque she wanted,
0:07:09 > 0:07:12Mandy was left with little choice.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16I had seen The Sheriff on telly before.
0:07:17 > 0:07:21Never thought in a million years that I'd have to use them.
0:07:21 > 0:07:25I was angry enough and I did want something to be done.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27I did want my money back.
0:07:32 > 0:07:37And so now Lawrence and Kev are on their way to get it for her.
0:07:37 > 0:07:39Since Mandy bought her car,
0:07:39 > 0:07:43Howard Brigman has joined forces with a new business partner
0:07:43 > 0:07:46and they now trade as Primavera Cars Ltd,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49operating from the same address as before.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Howard Brigman's partner is on site
0:07:51 > 0:07:55and he seems to know all about the case.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Hello, there.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59Yeah, good thank you.
0:08:01 > 0:08:02- Yeah.- Yes.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09Right, well she's sent us out with a High Court writ.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12£1,140.62 pays us, gets her paid and we're gone.
0:08:19 > 0:08:22Lawrence isn't here to run messages around and it's now too
0:08:22 > 0:08:26late for the car dealer to make a payment directly to Mandy.
0:08:26 > 0:08:28Right, problem being she's now transferred it to the
0:08:28 > 0:08:30High Court for enforcement purposes.
0:08:33 > 0:08:35What you need to seek is independent legal advice, we're not here
0:08:35 > 0:08:39to advise you. We're here to obviously execute the writ
0:08:39 > 0:08:40on behalf of our claimant.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45The man doesn't want to pay the costs of the sheriffs' visit.
0:08:47 > 0:08:51But like it or not, the full amount is what he'll need to come up with.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53We hold the money for 14 days,
0:08:53 > 0:08:55it doesn't get disbursed straight away.
0:08:55 > 0:08:58So that gives you 14 days to get legal advice.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Then if we're ordered to pay back the money,
0:09:00 > 0:09:01we pay back the money, simple as that.
0:09:01 > 0:09:03But at the moment, we've got a High Court writ
0:09:03 > 0:09:06that says this has got to be paid.
0:09:06 > 0:09:10The man doesn't want our camera in his office and we're asked to leave.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14He doesn't protest much longer however, and Kev soon comes out.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17Spoke to the guy. He knows all about it, to be fair.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19He's going to make payment now, so I've got the card machine,
0:09:19 > 0:09:22brought the van up and he's going to pay and off we go.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25The man does indeed pay
0:09:25 > 0:09:29and he invites our camera back in to tell his side of the story.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32He says he thought the accident might have happened
0:09:32 > 0:09:36because a friend of Mandy's had given the car a once over.
0:09:36 > 0:09:40She said that, "Two days ago, my brother in law, who's a mechanic,
0:09:40 > 0:09:44was looking over the car and all that and found some bits.
0:09:44 > 0:09:48Anyway, and then she said the wheel came off two days after that.
0:09:48 > 0:09:51I said, "Well, sounds like something that he's probably done, then."
0:09:51 > 0:09:55He says Primavera offered to look at the car, but Mandy refused.
0:09:55 > 0:09:59They didn't defend the case because they didn't receive the paperwork.
0:09:59 > 0:10:02And he says, following the judgment, they tried to pay
0:10:02 > 0:10:05but the disagreements over the payment method was the problem.
0:10:06 > 0:10:07She wanted a cheque.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10We kept asking for, e-mails asking her, for her sortcode
0:10:10 > 0:10:12and account number, so we could pay it.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14Cos we want evidence to show that we've done it.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18So we know it's been paid, so we can go to the court and let them know
0:10:18 > 0:10:20that it's all been done. Cos we don't want this going any further.
0:10:20 > 0:10:24Mandy was under no obligation to give out her details
0:10:24 > 0:10:28and cheque is one of the payment methods recommended by the courts.
0:10:28 > 0:10:32Refusing to send one has now cost Primavera Cars,
0:10:32 > 0:10:34though the man has come up with a way to make sure
0:10:34 > 0:10:36he gets his money's worth.
0:10:36 > 0:10:37We'll do a selfie.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42That was about as easy a job as you'll ever get, to be honest.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47The gentleman saw us, recognised us, invited us into the office,
0:10:47 > 0:10:49he knew exactly what case it was about.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53He's not overly happy that he's got our fees on top now, but he was half
0:10:53 > 0:10:55expecting a visit from us anyway
0:10:55 > 0:10:59and just paid us straightaway on a card. So...
0:10:59 > 0:11:02all in all another successful case for our client.
0:11:02 > 0:11:06Back in Reading, it's the news Mandy's been waiting for.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08It's been a really good result.
0:11:08 > 0:11:11I'm pleased that I did get in contact with the sheriffs cos
0:11:11 > 0:11:15they've helped take the stress out of a stressful situation.
0:11:15 > 0:11:17So I'm really pleased.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20I just sincerely hope that doesn't happen again to somebody else.
0:11:21 > 0:11:24If you've been ripped off and the person or company responsible
0:11:24 > 0:11:26refuses to pay you back,
0:11:26 > 0:11:30the first step is to make a claim in the County Court.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33It's simple to do this online for a small fee,
0:11:33 > 0:11:35depending on the size of the claim.
0:11:35 > 0:11:37The court will review the evidence,
0:11:37 > 0:11:41and if it finds in your favour, the debtor will be ordered to pay up.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45If they don't, then for a further £60, the High Court will
0:11:45 > 0:11:49grant a writ, authorising the sheriffs to act on your behalf.
0:11:49 > 0:11:52If they're successful, you get all your money back.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59Debtors are rarely pleased when a sheriff arrives on the doorstep
0:11:59 > 0:12:02and sometimes things can get a little heated.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06In the Northwest, Enforcement Agent Alan Pennington is heading to the
0:12:06 > 0:12:10city for a job, which, on the face of it, should be straightforward.
0:12:10 > 0:12:13We're off to DCS Recruitment Consultants
0:12:13 > 0:12:15in Manchester.
0:12:15 > 0:12:19The High Court writ is for just over £2,000.
0:12:19 > 0:12:23DCS Recruitment and its director, Thomas Dolan, were taken to
0:12:23 > 0:12:24a court by a delivery
0:12:24 > 0:12:27driver who didn't get paid.
0:12:27 > 0:12:31They didn't defend the case and so judgment was found against them.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Although they've since made a small payment to the driver,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37the majority of the debt remains unsettled.
0:12:37 > 0:12:39For Alan, this is new territory.
0:12:39 > 0:12:43I've not been to a recruitment consultants before.
0:12:43 > 0:12:46Not sure what they will have as regards assets.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49But we'll take a look around when we get in.
0:12:51 > 0:12:55The address on the writ belongs to this Victorian block.
0:12:55 > 0:12:56Thank you.
0:12:56 > 0:12:58Alan heads in and up the stairs.
0:12:58 > 0:13:02Hello. Anyone I can speak to?
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- Is this DCS Recruitment?- It is, yeah.- Can I speak to a manager?
0:13:05 > 0:13:09I'm an Enforcement Agent and I have a High Court writ to issue today.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11OK, hold on.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It's a busy looking office
0:13:17 > 0:13:20and Alan soon finds the man in charge, Thomas Dolan.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23Can I come in?
0:13:26 > 0:13:29I'm an Enforcement Agent. I'm here to issue a High Court writ.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39Mr Dolan isn't happy to see our cameraman, and asks him to leave.
0:13:39 > 0:13:41He shows Alan proof that he's already made
0:13:41 > 0:13:44a payment, which he thinks covers the debt to the worker.
0:13:44 > 0:13:49But including fees, he still owes more than £1,900.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52Outside, Alan says that after showing him his writ,
0:13:52 > 0:13:56it looks like Mr Dolan is going to pay.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58He made some phone calls to his solicitor.
0:13:58 > 0:14:01It sounded... Picking up on the conversation that the
0:14:01 > 0:14:05solicitor basically said to him that you must pay this bill,
0:14:05 > 0:14:07and any issues that we have outstanding,
0:14:07 > 0:14:14we can continue with the solicitor, once the payment had been made.
0:14:14 > 0:14:16Sure enough, Mr Dolan does pay up.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21But just when it looks like the case is done and dusted, he follows
0:14:21 > 0:14:25Alan outside and it seems he's got a few words for our cameraman.
0:14:52 > 0:14:56Mr Dolan he has no legal right to insist we delete our footage.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59But when our cameraman refuses, his threats get physical.
0:15:11 > 0:15:12Hi, my name's Mr Pennington,
0:15:12 > 0:15:14I'm an Enforcement Agent for the High Court.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16I'm filming with the BBC at the moment
0:15:16 > 0:15:20and a gentleman here is basically obstructing the cameraman
0:15:20 > 0:15:22from getting back in my car.
0:15:22 > 0:15:24At last, with the threat of the police attending,
0:15:24 > 0:15:26Mr Dolan walks away.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Our cameraman might be left a little shaken, but for Alan,
0:15:34 > 0:15:36it's all in a day's work.
0:15:36 > 0:15:39He wasn't happy to see me. He wasn't happy to see the cameras.
0:15:39 > 0:15:43He was quite verbally aggressive at times.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48Claimant's got his money. Job done.
0:15:48 > 0:15:50And Alan's not the only one who's glad it's over
0:15:50 > 0:15:54as the delivery driver has now been paid his missing wages.
0:16:06 > 0:16:09Lawrence and Kev are making a trip to the seaside.
0:16:09 > 0:16:13We are heading to East Wittering,
0:16:13 > 0:16:15down on the south coast.
0:16:15 > 0:16:20We're going to Non Stop Mobility Ltd for a total of £1,903.
0:16:20 > 0:16:23So it's a commercial premises we're going to, a shop.
0:16:26 > 0:16:29The writ's in favour of a customer, who bought a mobility scooter,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31and wasn't happy with it.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35I quote, "It was not fit for purpose."
0:16:35 > 0:16:39After being refused a refund, the customer took the company to court
0:16:39 > 0:16:42and won by default after it didn't enter a defence.
0:16:42 > 0:16:45The sheriffs are hopeful they'll be able to get their money back.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49I imagine there's going to be plenty of assets at this shop
0:16:49 > 0:16:51as long as the shop's still trading.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53We can fill this thing up with mobility scooters if need be.
0:16:53 > 0:16:56It shouldn't be too much of a problem, I don't think.
0:16:56 > 0:16:58But famous last words.
0:16:58 > 0:17:00Famous last words indeed,
0:17:00 > 0:17:04as this job's about to throw up some surprises.
0:17:04 > 0:17:05- There.- Just there.
0:17:05 > 0:17:06The sheriffs head in.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11Inside, they find the company director's husband, Mr McWilliam.
0:17:11 > 0:17:15- We've got a High Court writ against Non Stop Mobility Ltd.- Oh, yeah.
0:17:19 > 0:17:20They've set it aside?
0:17:20 > 0:17:22- Yeah.- When was this?
0:17:25 > 0:17:27It's a familiar story.
0:17:27 > 0:17:30Mr McWilliam claims the judgment has been overturned.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33But when he starts getting out his paperwork,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35a different picture emerges.
0:17:35 > 0:17:37His appeal hasn't yet been heard.
0:17:37 > 0:17:40So the only thing which will stop the sheriffs enforcing
0:17:40 > 0:17:44the writ today is if he's been granted a stay of execution,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46which he thinks he has.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Have you got a copy of the order staying the writ, because I haven't.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52Obviously, if it's stayed, then we'll leave you in peace.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55But we've got no evidence at the moment that it is.
0:17:57 > 0:18:00But unless we can see that, then we have to carry on.
0:18:00 > 0:18:02The shopkeeper should have a court order
0:18:02 > 0:18:06confirming what he's saying, but he can't seem to find it.
0:18:06 > 0:18:08And it's becoming increasingly obvious
0:18:08 > 0:18:11he hasn't understood the court process.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14There's two separate things. There's a set aside and there's a stay.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16And each incurs its own fee.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18How many application forms did you send?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21- One.- And what did the application ask for, a set aside or a stay?
0:18:25 > 0:18:27They won't give you a stay without a set aside.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29The fact that you've got a hearing date,
0:18:29 > 0:18:30that is when your set aside hearing is.
0:18:30 > 0:18:33Well, if you've only paid one lot of £155...
0:18:37 > 0:18:40If Mr McWilliam had got a stay of execution, then
0:18:40 > 0:18:42he would have had to pay a second court fee.
0:18:42 > 0:18:44It sounds like he didn't.
0:18:44 > 0:18:46If you can't find the paperwork,
0:18:46 > 0:18:49- have you got the money to pay this today?- No chance.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Right, well, then we'll be removing goods.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56The man insists he does have a stay of execution,
0:18:56 > 0:18:59but his paperwork's in disarray.
0:18:59 > 0:19:01No, this was the original judgment.
0:19:01 > 0:19:04He's showing Lawrence various letters from the court...
0:19:04 > 0:19:08This is the notice that it's been transferred to Chichester.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10..but none are the right one.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14So, we're getting there, but you hadn't even opened that.
0:19:14 > 0:19:18Mr McWilliam says because it's his wife's business,
0:19:18 > 0:19:21he doesn't know where the court order is.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Are you able to give her a ring and see if she knows where she's put it?
0:19:25 > 0:19:27Well, she might know where it is, sir.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29And with all due respect, your paperwork seems
0:19:29 > 0:19:30to be a bit of a shambles.
0:19:30 > 0:19:33You've got letters you haven't even opened, and you can't find anything.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36It might be worth giving her a call to see if she knows where it is.
0:19:38 > 0:19:42Then amongst a pile of letters, it's Lawrence that strikes gold.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44Oh, here it is.
0:19:44 > 0:19:45It's the court order,
0:19:45 > 0:19:48confirming there's a hearing in a few weeks' time.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50But it's what it doesn't say that's crucial.
0:19:50 > 0:19:52There's nothing that says enforcement action
0:19:52 > 0:19:54is stayed in the interim.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59It's the smoking gun Lawrence needs.
0:19:59 > 0:20:02He can now press on to try to get the claimant her money back.
0:20:03 > 0:20:07It doesn't stay execution in the meantime,
0:20:07 > 0:20:10so the amount outstanding is £1,903.03,
0:20:10 > 0:20:13which needs to be paid immediately, or goods will be removed.
0:20:16 > 0:20:19- Is there no-one that could lend you the money?- No.
0:20:19 > 0:20:23Right, well, goods will be removed to clear the debt then, sir.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26Lawrence wastes no time in ordering a removal van.
0:20:26 > 0:20:30All right? Can I have a Luton van?
0:20:30 > 0:20:33I think it should all fit in a Luton.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38The sheriffs get to work deciding which items to take.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41In particular, they've got their eyes on the mobility scooters,
0:20:41 > 0:20:45which are the most valuable things in the shop.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47But now, faced with their removal, Mr McWilliam
0:20:47 > 0:20:49claims they're not the shop's.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Right, have you got paperwork to that effect?
0:20:56 > 0:20:58You know, paperwork where you enter into a contract
0:20:58 > 0:21:00with people to sell goods on their behalf.
0:21:06 > 0:21:09Well, then, the goods will be going because there's no evidence that
0:21:09 > 0:21:11they belong to anybody else.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14But just when it looks like this job's only going one way,
0:21:14 > 0:21:17events take a surprising turn.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19Mr McWilliam has phoned the courts,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22and is asking them to intervene on his behalf.
0:21:36 > 0:21:38He appears to have found a sympathetic ear
0:21:38 > 0:21:41and hands the phone to Lawrence.
0:21:41 > 0:21:42What I've said to the gentleman,
0:21:42 > 0:21:46he's obviously applied for a set aside because he's got
0:21:46 > 0:21:49the hearing date, but he hasn't applied for a stay in the interim.
0:21:49 > 0:21:53I've got a truck on the way to remove the contents of the shop.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55He should have applied for a stay. He hasn't, he hasn't got one,
0:21:55 > 0:21:58so the writ is live and we're here to execute it today.
0:21:59 > 0:22:03But the woman at the court wants to double-check.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05She's gone.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08Well, she's going to go and speak to the judge.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11A few minutes later, she rings back.
0:22:11 > 0:22:13PHONE RINGS
0:22:16 > 0:22:19And it's just what Lawrence had feared.
0:22:19 > 0:22:22I need a copy of that revised order e-mailing to me, please.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27A judge has revised the court order and even though he hasn't
0:22:27 > 0:22:33paid for it, Mr McWilliam has now been granted a stay of execution.
0:22:33 > 0:22:36As it's the sheriff's job to carry out the court's wishes,
0:22:36 > 0:22:38they have to leave empty-handed.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41But later in the programme, we'll find out what happens
0:22:41 > 0:22:43when they're back two months later.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56The sheriffs are used to dealing with all
0:22:56 > 0:22:59manner of obstacles in order to get debts paid.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02But once in a while, their mettle is really tested
0:23:02 > 0:23:06and it's not always possible to get the outcome they want.
0:23:06 > 0:23:10In Burnley, Alan Pennington is on his way to see a second-hand car
0:23:10 > 0:23:13business called East Lancs Car And Commercials Ltd,
0:23:13 > 0:23:16who've been taken to court by a customer.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20The claimant states that they bought a Suzuki.
0:23:21 > 0:23:25And they've had nothing but faults on the car.
0:23:25 > 0:23:27And a new MOT was promised.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30And that didn't happen.
0:23:31 > 0:23:33The claimant won her case by default after
0:23:33 > 0:23:36the dealer didn't offer a defence.
0:23:36 > 0:23:41Now Alan's on his way there to see if he can recover £2,285 owed.
0:23:42 > 0:23:43But when he arrives,
0:23:43 > 0:23:47there's a different name on the signs outside the business.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49East Lancs Van Sales.
0:23:49 > 0:23:51As this is the address on his writ
0:23:51 > 0:23:55and where the claimant bought their car, he heads in anyway.
0:23:55 > 0:23:56There are certainly assets here.
0:23:56 > 0:24:01Now all he needs to do is find the boss, Shaun Cosgrove.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03Hello!
0:24:03 > 0:24:04Mr Cosgrove?
0:24:06 > 0:24:07Is he here?
0:24:08 > 0:24:13No matter. Alan's here to do his job whether the boss is in or not.
0:24:13 > 0:24:17- I'm an Enforcement Agent. I'm here with a High Court writ...- OK.
0:24:17 > 0:24:19OK. For East Lancs Car And Commercials Ltd.
0:24:21 > 0:24:23East Lancs Vans.
0:24:24 > 0:24:27It might sound similar, but it's not who Alan's looking for.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30So he needs to find out whether East Lancs Vans
0:24:30 > 0:24:31is just a trading name
0:24:31 > 0:24:35the debtor uses or if it really is a different company.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Is it Shaun Cosgrove still in charge, is he?
0:24:39 > 0:24:40Brian?
0:24:41 > 0:24:44And Brian is soon on the phone.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48My name's Mr Pennington from the High Court Sheriffs Office.
0:24:48 > 0:24:51I'm looking for a Shaun Cosgrove.
0:24:51 > 0:24:53The man says that's not him.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Yeah, but what's your name then?
0:24:56 > 0:24:58Alan's told he doesn't need to know.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02Well, I do. I want to get to the bottom of it, don't I?
0:25:03 > 0:25:05Brian is refusing to give his full name.
0:25:05 > 0:25:08He also says none of the vehicles here
0:25:08 > 0:25:11belong to East Lancs Cars And Commercials Ltd.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14Who are they owned by? Who are they owned by?
0:25:14 > 0:25:16Again, Brian won't say.
0:25:16 > 0:25:19You're trading as East Lancs Van Sales, aren't you?
0:25:19 > 0:25:21So you're going to have some paperwork.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24If you're trading as East Lancs Van Sales, you'll have a company's
0:25:24 > 0:25:25house number, won't you?
0:25:25 > 0:25:27Brian isn't giving anything away.
0:25:27 > 0:25:29So Alan tries to find out for himself.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35He heads into their office, and begins examining their paperwork.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41As a High Court Enforcement Agent, Alan is acting
0:25:41 > 0:25:43well within his powers.
0:25:47 > 0:25:49Right. High Court writ, all stamped, OK?
0:25:55 > 0:25:57All I want him to do is, Brian, is to be helpful to me
0:25:57 > 0:25:59and I'll go away.
0:25:59 > 0:26:01But then Alan finds a clue.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04I've just seen one of your receipts.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08East Lancs Car And Commercials.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11That suggests the debtor company is still trading here.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14But unfortunately, the receipt isn't for a vehicle,
0:26:14 > 0:26:17so it isn't much help in terms of finding valuable assets.
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Receipts for those are apparently with Brian.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Why don't you bring them down and show me, so I can go away?
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Why are you being awkward?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Awkward is an understatement.
0:26:29 > 0:26:31Brian tells Alan to go ahead
0:26:31 > 0:26:35and order a low-loader to remove vehicles to cover the debt.
0:26:35 > 0:26:38But he says when it arrives, he'll turn up with proof
0:26:38 > 0:26:42they don't belong to the debtor company, so can't be taken.
0:26:42 > 0:26:44The only way Alan can find out
0:26:44 > 0:26:47if he's telling the truth is to call his bluff.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49It might well prove to be a waste of time,
0:26:49 > 0:26:53but Alan's job is to do whatever he can to get the claimant's
0:26:53 > 0:26:56money back, so it's the only option left.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59The office is ringing for a low-loader now, so I'm just going to
0:26:59 > 0:27:04check the size of the vehicles to see which ones we can take.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07Calling the low-loader unleashes a bout of activity
0:27:07 > 0:27:08inside the car yard.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12The staff are removing car keys from the office, the shutters to the unit
0:27:12 > 0:27:16have been rolled down, and they're blocking the exit to the yard.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19- ON PHONE:- 'Welcome to Lancashire Police.'
0:27:19 > 0:27:22Alan's calling for backup.
0:27:22 > 0:27:24I need some police assistance, please.
0:27:27 > 0:27:29The atmosphere is getting tense.
0:27:29 > 0:27:31A large number of people are gathering,
0:27:31 > 0:27:34and the barricade to the car yard is growing.
0:27:34 > 0:27:38Even a dog has been added to the mix.
0:27:38 > 0:27:39The low-loader arrives.
0:27:41 > 0:27:43This thing here, will that take that bollard away?
0:27:46 > 0:27:49So do the police.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Basically, there's the High Court writ with the stamp on, OK.
0:27:52 > 0:27:54And then, this guy turns up.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57What's your name?
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Is your name Shaun Cosgrove?
0:28:06 > 0:28:08Which vans?
0:28:08 > 0:28:10I'm not taking them.
0:28:10 > 0:28:11There's a van inside.
0:28:17 > 0:28:19This is what I asked over an hour and a half ago
0:28:19 > 0:28:20and no-one bothered...
0:28:23 > 0:28:25So Brian's rang you, has he?
0:28:27 > 0:28:30Alan can only take control of assets,
0:28:30 > 0:28:32if they belong to the debtor.
0:28:32 > 0:28:35So if the man really does have invoices in a different
0:28:35 > 0:28:38company name, then the vans can't be removed.
0:28:40 > 0:28:44Soon another man arrives with a bundle of paperwork.
0:28:44 > 0:28:47Shall we go in the office, Mr...whoever your name is?
0:28:47 > 0:28:52Inside the office, it's just as Alan feared it would be.
0:28:52 > 0:28:55The invoices show that the cars belong not to the debtor,
0:28:55 > 0:28:57East Lancs Car And Commercials Ltd,
0:28:57 > 0:29:01but to a company called Used Car Sales Co Ltd.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Shaun Cosgrove is the director of both.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05But they're separate legal entities.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10Alan is going to have to leave without payment
0:29:10 > 0:29:12and the frustration shows.
0:29:13 > 0:29:16I think he just basically wanted to waste my time.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17He knew what he was going to do.
0:29:17 > 0:29:20He basically said to me, "You do what you need to do
0:29:20 > 0:29:23"and when you arrive, I'll show you the paperwork."
0:29:23 > 0:29:26He's messed my time. He's messed the police time.
0:29:26 > 0:29:29Simply because he knew it would cost the sheriffs money
0:29:29 > 0:29:32and not cost him anything.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35On this occasion, persistence hasn't paid off.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38But for the sheriffs, a thick skin is part of the job description.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42I suppose it's the way things happen. You win some, you lose some.
0:29:42 > 0:29:45As East Lancs Car And Commercials Ltd doesn't appear to have
0:29:45 > 0:29:48any assets that can be removed to cover its debt, there's
0:29:48 > 0:29:51nothing more that can be done to get the claimant's money back.
0:29:53 > 0:29:57Sheriffs are now officially known as High Court Enforcement Agents
0:29:57 > 0:29:59and they'll collect the money you're owed.
0:29:59 > 0:30:02My job is to collect in full or remove goods.
0:30:02 > 0:30:05They've got more powers of entry than bailiffs.
0:30:05 > 0:30:08We don't have to take any notice of your security protocol, I'm afraid.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11And there's no limit on the size of the debts they can pursue.
0:30:11 > 0:30:14£1.6 million.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17Their fees are set by the government, which debtors have to
0:30:17 > 0:30:20pay on top of what they already owe.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Thank you very much. See you later.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25If the sheriffs can't recover any of your money,
0:30:25 > 0:30:27there's a fee of £75 plus VAT.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39Earlier, Lawrence and Kev visited a shop
0:30:39 > 0:30:42called Non Stop Mobility in East Wittering.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45They'd been taken to court by a customer who'd been refused
0:30:45 > 0:30:48a refund after buying a faulty scooter.
0:30:48 > 0:30:52The sheriffs had to walk away empty-handed after a judge
0:30:52 > 0:30:55granted the shop a last-minute stay of execution
0:30:55 > 0:30:57to allow an appeal to take place.
0:30:59 > 0:31:01Now two months later,
0:31:01 > 0:31:05Lawrence and Kev are heading to the seaside town once again.
0:31:05 > 0:31:07He's had his hearing. The case has been thrown out.
0:31:07 > 0:31:10So we're on our way back here now.
0:31:10 > 0:31:12Going to get payment. Well, we're hoping to get payment.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15But the sheriffs aren't banking on it being that simple.
0:31:15 > 0:31:16Last time the shopkeeper said
0:31:16 > 0:31:19he didn't have the money
0:31:19 > 0:31:21and now with extra fees
0:31:21 > 0:31:22the bill's gone up.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25Best case scenario, he's expecting us and he's got the money
0:31:25 > 0:31:27sitting there waiting for us, but I shouldn't think so.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30One of the problems I foresee we're going to have is the main stuff
0:31:30 > 0:31:33of value was the scooters he had in there, the mobility scooters.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37Considering he knows he's lost his case, they might have gone.
0:31:39 > 0:31:41He's going to know we're going to be back.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46Lawrence and Kev march up the street and into the shop.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50Hello?
0:31:50 > 0:31:52At first the shop looks to be unattended.
0:31:52 > 0:31:55But then Mr McWilliam emerges from the back.
0:31:57 > 0:31:58- Oh, hello.- Hello again, sir.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01You lost your appeal, didn't you? So now the full total is due.
0:32:01 > 0:32:07We're here today to take control of goods to the value of £3,268.36.
0:32:07 > 0:32:09Were you not aware you lost?
0:32:16 > 0:32:19This time he asks our cameraman to leave.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22He tells Lawrence he thought he'd won his case.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25He gets out some paperwork from the court, which he says will
0:32:25 > 0:32:29prove it, but it's a move that spectacularly backfires.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33He's saying he doesn't know anything about it.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36And then produces a letter that is an order saying
0:32:36 > 0:32:37that his case has been dismissed
0:32:37 > 0:32:39and he also has got an extra £1,500
0:32:39 > 0:32:42on top of the judgment debt.
0:32:42 > 0:32:46So by producing this letter, his debt's got £1,500 added to it.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49So he's not best pleased about that.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52The sheriffs hadn't been told about the additional costs
0:32:52 > 0:32:53awarded by the court.
0:32:53 > 0:32:58Now they've been added the shop owes well over £4,500.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00And Mr McWilliam isn't about to settle up.
0:33:02 > 0:33:04He's saying he hasn't got any money to pay,
0:33:04 > 0:33:06the same as he was last time, and to be honest, I don't doubt him.
0:33:06 > 0:33:09His wife's got no money, he's got no money.
0:33:09 > 0:33:11So the only thing we've got of value really are the scooters.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13I think there's nine scooters in total.
0:33:13 > 0:33:17He's saying he's signed a letter saying that his mate owns them,
0:33:17 > 0:33:19but it's literally, just a bit of paper.
0:33:19 > 0:33:23So we've decided we're going to take these scooters,
0:33:23 > 0:33:25cos there's no other way we're going to get paid here at all.
0:33:25 > 0:33:29In fact, it's not just the scooters that will be going.
0:33:29 > 0:33:30To get the claimant her money back,
0:33:30 > 0:33:33they're going to have to pretty much clear out the shop.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Lawrence has begun listing the goods one by one.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40And Kev reckons he's rather enjoying it.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42He's got a bit of a glint in his eye
0:33:42 > 0:33:43looking at some of these scooters,
0:33:43 > 0:33:47There's a sort of wide scooter that he's got his eye on, I think.
0:33:47 > 0:33:49He's sort of coming to that sort of age.
0:33:49 > 0:33:50Don't tell him that, though.
0:33:52 > 0:33:54But Lawrence shouldn't get carried away too quickly
0:33:54 > 0:33:57as Mr McWilliam has again put in a call to the local
0:33:57 > 0:34:00court in a bid to stop the sheriffs in their tracks.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05The owner has been on the phone to the court, like he was last time,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07when he got his stay very quickly,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10and he's spoken to someone at the court and they've advised him to
0:34:10 > 0:34:14fill in some different form that she's going to submit to the judge.
0:34:15 > 0:34:19And in the meantime, the atmosphere inside the shop is heating up
0:34:19 > 0:34:22as a man has arrived with a large Alsatian dog.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26It turns out he's got some sort of stake in this business,
0:34:26 > 0:34:28so he's got money invested in it.
0:34:28 > 0:34:30I think he's the guy that owns the scooters as well
0:34:30 > 0:34:32or claims to own the scooters.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35But I think he's got actual more investment than just that.
0:34:35 > 0:34:37He sort of bombed in here with his Alsatian,
0:34:37 > 0:34:41telling us we're not going to do this and that and what have you.
0:34:41 > 0:34:44But it's going to take more than a large dog to put
0:34:44 > 0:34:48the sheriffs off and the man soon leaves.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51Meanwhile, Mr McWilliam has heard back from his latest
0:34:51 > 0:34:52appeal to the courts
0:34:52 > 0:34:55and this time, he hasn't been so lucky.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Surprisingly enough, the judge has seen it already
0:34:58 > 0:34:59but dismissed everything.
0:34:59 > 0:35:03So that avenue for him has gone now.
0:35:03 > 0:35:05He's insisting he's got no way to pay.
0:35:05 > 0:35:07He's phoned round his friends and everyone else to see
0:35:07 > 0:35:10if anyone will help, but there's no-one going to do anything.
0:35:10 > 0:35:14So the entire contents of the shop are going to be removed.
0:35:14 > 0:35:17There's three scooters, I think, that we've seen paperwork for
0:35:17 > 0:35:20to show us that they don't belong to this Limited Company.
0:35:20 > 0:35:24The rest of it's going to be going and the truck is on its way.
0:35:24 > 0:35:26It's obvious the business is struggling,
0:35:26 > 0:35:29and emptying the shop isn't ideal for anyone.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33So Lawrence and Kev do make one last-ditch attempt to get the man
0:35:33 > 0:35:35to make some kind of payment,
0:35:35 > 0:35:39but it doesn't have quite the reaction they'd hoped for.
0:35:39 > 0:35:42We basically said if he could get two and half grand together, then
0:35:42 > 0:35:46we could leave his stuff here and put an arrangement in place for him.
0:35:46 > 0:35:49Cos he's under no illusion that in March his business gets busier,
0:35:49 > 0:35:50so he can pay it back.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53But he's not going for it, can't get any funds together, so he's gone.
0:35:53 > 0:35:57He's given us the keys to the shop and he's off, left us to it.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00If that's what he wants to do, it's up to him.
0:36:00 > 0:36:04The truck pulls up outside, and Lawrence and Kev start loading.
0:36:05 > 0:36:07That's going to be the first one.
0:36:08 > 0:36:10What's the best way to take them?
0:36:10 > 0:36:12Cos we don't want them going down those steps.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14There's only one thing for it.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29After all, Lawrence is at home on anything with four wheels
0:36:29 > 0:36:32even if it only goes 5mph.
0:36:33 > 0:36:37I do have some knowledge of mobility scooters.
0:36:37 > 0:36:41My mother got through a few in her latter years, God rest her.
0:36:41 > 0:36:43Managed to fit a few in the back of my van
0:36:43 > 0:36:46when they'd broken down and I had to go and collect her.
0:36:46 > 0:36:48She used to run out of batteries.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52And whatever the vehicle, he still appreciates quality engineering.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55It's got a brilliant turning circle, that one.
0:36:55 > 0:36:57Look at that.
0:36:57 > 0:37:00Doesn't stop, whole time. Never stops.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02On and on.
0:37:04 > 0:37:08Kev, meanwhile, is wrestling with the complexity of the machines.
0:37:08 > 0:37:12What's going on here? What's he done to this one? Has he broken this one?
0:37:12 > 0:37:15This one's got something wrong with it, Lawrence.
0:37:15 > 0:37:17Only Lawrence doesn't have the same problem.
0:37:18 > 0:37:20It's very slow, but I'll get there.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Might have to push a bit.
0:37:26 > 0:37:28As for Kev,
0:37:28 > 0:37:33- he's still struggling...- It's not neutral. What am I not doing right?
0:37:33 > 0:37:34..and is ultimately beaten.
0:37:36 > 0:37:38This one, Lawrence, is broken.
0:37:38 > 0:37:39What have you done with it?
0:37:39 > 0:37:42- It's just broke.- It's not broken.
0:37:42 > 0:37:44You muppet. What's the matter with you?
0:37:47 > 0:37:49With the scooters loaded, attention turns to the
0:37:49 > 0:37:52rest of the stuff in the shop.
0:37:52 > 0:37:53Yeah, all right.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57Is it going to go through?
0:37:57 > 0:38:00But with space running out in the van,
0:38:00 > 0:38:01they're going to have to be picky.
0:38:01 > 0:38:03What do you want to do about the washing machine?
0:38:03 > 0:38:05- I don't think it'll fit, anyway.- No?
0:38:05 > 0:38:08It's got money in it, but I don't think it's going to fit, is it?
0:38:08 > 0:38:10They fill up the van as much as they can
0:38:10 > 0:38:14and though it probably won't be enough to cover the £4,500
0:38:14 > 0:38:16the shop owes, every bit helps.
0:38:17 > 0:38:20Mobility stuff has got a value.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23There's a few bits in there that are worth a reasonable amount of money,
0:38:23 > 0:38:25but most of it's second-hand.
0:38:25 > 0:38:27It'll have some value to it.
0:38:27 > 0:38:30And that means that the customer who took the shop to court
0:38:30 > 0:38:33will get at least some of their money back.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Sheriff Ken Warby is in Dunstable, near Luton,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52on his way to a trading estate.
0:38:52 > 0:38:56We're going to visit a large furniture store, SCS,
0:38:56 > 0:38:59the original debt is just over £2,000.
0:39:02 > 0:39:05Ken's attending on behalf of a customer who bought
0:39:05 > 0:39:08a recliner sofa, but the leather finish began to peel off.
0:39:10 > 0:39:12When she asked the store for her money back,
0:39:12 > 0:39:16she was instead offered an alternative sofa at a reduced price.
0:39:17 > 0:39:21She wasn't happy, and despite the Citizens' Advice Bureau
0:39:21 > 0:39:24intervening on her behalf, they couldn't come to an agreement.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28So she took SCS to court
0:39:28 > 0:39:30and when they didn't offer a defence,
0:39:30 > 0:39:32was awarded a default judgment.
0:39:32 > 0:39:36Ken's not expecting them to remember.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38I'll give them enough time to try
0:39:38 > 0:39:42and find out exactly who the claimant is, chances are they'll
0:39:42 > 0:39:43need to speak to the head office
0:39:43 > 0:39:46because this is just one of their branches.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48But given the stock he knows will be on site,
0:39:48 > 0:39:50he's not going to take no for an answer.
0:39:52 > 0:39:54They'd have more than enough assets to cover the debt here,
0:39:54 > 0:39:58pick one of about 30 or 40 three-piece-suites if you like.
0:39:58 > 0:40:03Sometimes Sheriffs go direct to the company's head office,
0:40:03 > 0:40:07but they're entitled to enforce anywhere the debtor has assets.
0:40:07 > 0:40:11This is one of a dozen or so stores they've got up and down the country.
0:40:11 > 0:40:17However, the notice of enforcement would have come to this address.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21It's the address on the writ, so Ken heads in.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28SCS, I'd like to speak to the person in charge. My name's Mr Warby.
0:40:30 > 0:40:32It doesn't take the man long to
0:40:32 > 0:40:34realise he's not about to make a sale.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37We're asked to leave while Ken starts the process of getting
0:40:37 > 0:40:41through to someone with the power to pay up.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44This is as I thought it would be, big company,
0:40:44 > 0:40:46I've just spoken to the store manager,
0:40:46 > 0:40:49he doesn't know who this person is,
0:40:49 > 0:40:51so he's now contacting his head office.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55It's a smallish debt, really, to a company this size,
0:40:55 > 0:40:56I'll give them a bit of time.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59There's only going to be one outcome, though.
0:40:59 > 0:41:00I want the money for my client, that's it.
0:41:02 > 0:41:06The manager is off the phone and Ken heads back inside to talk to him.
0:41:06 > 0:41:08Oh, do you want me up there?
0:41:08 > 0:41:10I'll come up there. How do I get up there?
0:41:12 > 0:41:14Some progress has been made.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The company's head office in Sunderland are now aware of Ken
0:41:17 > 0:41:21eyeing up their sofas and have said they're looking into it.
0:41:22 > 0:41:24I spoke to a lady, nice lady,
0:41:24 > 0:41:28I did tell her we need to get this resolved today.
0:41:28 > 0:41:34This manager is going to fax over a copy of the actual
0:41:34 > 0:41:39writ of control, so it's just a question of waiting at the moment.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44With nothing else he can do, Ken has a quick sit down
0:41:44 > 0:41:48and his thoughts turn momentarily to his own living room.
0:41:50 > 0:41:54The sofa's really nice, actually, it reclines a treat.
0:41:54 > 0:41:58The one I'm looking for really is on a button, electric, on a button,
0:41:58 > 0:42:00if I can get one like that.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02I'm not sure I'd get a discount here, somehow.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Finally, however, the manager is back
0:42:05 > 0:42:08and an hour and a half after he arrived, Ken's done.
0:42:10 > 0:42:11Head office are going to pay,
0:42:11 > 0:42:15a control goods agreement has been signed, and yeah, successful job.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19The customer's finally got her money back.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22SCS might be a few thousand down on the day,
0:42:22 > 0:42:25but after Ken spent the morning trying out every sofa in the shop,
0:42:25 > 0:42:28they might have a new customer to make up for it.
0:42:30 > 0:42:31Grey one was rather nice,
0:42:31 > 0:42:34so I did say to them next time I come in,
0:42:34 > 0:42:36if I'm not holding my clipboard, maybe we can do some business.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39SCS told us...