Episode 11 X-Ray

You're watching X-Ray. On tonight's programme �2,000 for a roll of

plastic - help us find the rogue traders who ripped off Terry and

Anne. Lives on hold - Hannah couldn't get a new job because her

neighbours' houses are full of cracks. And David and Ellie's dream

campervan - unsafe to drive because It's the bane of our lives - the

doorstep salesman, someone we've never seen before knocking on our

door and promising the world. Bell where paving is run by a man called

Tom Connors who has been ripping off innocent people around South

Wales. Lucy has been to meet one couple who fell for the sales

patter. And David and Ellie's dream campervan - unsafe to drive because

of the rust. It's the bane of our lives - the doorstep salesman,

someone we've never seen before knocking on our door and promising

the world. And here in Pontarddulais, they're no strangers

to the tactic. They had their lorry with the name on the side of it, so

I thought, "They can't be that bad, they wouldn't be advertising that

much." So when a company called Bellway Paving knocked on the door

of their bungalow in Pontarddulais, Terry and Anne Lewis thought they

were legitimate traders, and just the people to help them out.

decided to have the front tarmacked or cemented, whatever, so that I

could bring the car nearer the door. Because I am disabled, I have

problems getting in and out. company initially quoted �1,000,

but after a bit of haggling, Terry got the boss, Tom Connors, to agree

What made you trust them? They seemed nice. You know, they did

have paperwork, they had a card they gave out, "Bellway Paving and

Tarmac Company" on it, well, they seemed genuine enough.

company's paperwork certainly looked official. So the couple were

happy for the work to start straight away. But within a couple

of hours, there was a hitch! One of the fellas that was working and

digging came in and said, "can you phone Tom?" Bellway Paving told

Terry they needed to buy a protective plastic membrane to put

under the tarmac, but it was going to cost an extra �2,100, and they

needed the cash straight away. called it an aqua sheet, because

the tarmac is breaking up and the cement is breaking up, so we need

to put this down first. My stomach was telling me, "No, no,

no, no, no," and I guessed then that was it. The couple were

suspicious, but by then most of their existing driveway had been

torn up. We had all the rubbish chucked virtually onto the road.

You know, all the digging up they had done, all that was on the road,

and who is going to move all this, and where was I going to put it.?

They felt pressurised, and went to the bank to take out the extra

�2,000 it would cost to get the job done. They were waiting for the

money. They wouldn't do a thing until they had the money. With the

cash in their pockets, the men got on with the job. Five days later,

the drive was finished. So after answering a knock on the door and

handing over almost �3,000 of their savings, what have Terry and Anne

been left with? A pretty poor driveway, that's what. It's not

level, it's not smooth, it's rough, everything sticks to it. I drove my

car onto it, and it just seems to be sinking all the time. Terry rang

Bellway Paving, but the owner, Tom Connors, was on holiday. Since then,

Terry hasn't been able to contact anyone. And you paid a lot of money

for this, didn't you. Where did that money come from? It is savings,

yes, well we don't tend to waste our money, we tend to save our

money and if we need anything, we go down and get the money and pay

for it straight away. We don't have hire purchase or anything, we just

like to pay off our debts as they So time to find out exactly how bad

the driveway is - what's chartered surveyor Robert Fisher's opinion?

Well, we've done some drilling, haven't we, and this is the depth

of the tarmac, I mean, what does that say to you? Well what we have

here is about a two-inch core taken out - it's about two inches thick.

Now, normally this would be at least four inches thick. The whole

construction isn't strong enough to support the weight of a vehicle.

And the hard core under the tarmac hasn't been treated properly,

either. Another factor that's causing the driveway to sink. So

what about that all-important roll of plastic? And this is the

membrane that was laid - Terry and Anne paid �2,100 for this. What do

you think taking a look at that? Very sad. I'm afraid that's heavy-

gauge damp-proof membrane, probably �50-�75 a roll. More than enough to

cover three times this area here. They have paid an awful lot of

money for a product that's very cheap. So Robert, overall=, what

have Terry and Anne been left with here? Unfortunately, it's going to

carry on getting softer. Really, they need to cut it all out and re-

lay it. That's going to be heartbreaking for them. It'll take

a long time now to get over it. The driveway they put there was solid.

-- the one made about. I wake up thinking, what did we do? If I'd

known what I know now, they wouldn't have come near me. Earlier,

I caught up with Andrew Bertie from the Trading Standards anti-fraud

unit, Scambusters. Andrew, it seems you're interested in Bellway Paving

and particularly interested in the man running the company. Yes, we

are. We've had a number of complaints about Bellway Paving,

whatever Bellway Paving is. The name we have on some of their

paperwork is a T Connors, and we'd be very interested in speaking to

Mr Connors. How do these companies operate. What should people look

out for? They come round the doors saying they've got materials left

over from a previous job. They'll do it cheaply, and they always ask

for cash to try and avoid being traced. We know that similar

companies do this use magnetic signage on their vehicles and then

just simply remove that signage, replace it with new magnetic

signage and call themselves something else. The other thing

they'll do when canvassing for jobs, they'll send someone out with a

suit and tie on who's got a clipboard, who looks like a

professional, but this is all part of the facade to try and deceive

people. And when you look at the paperwork, it's easy to see how Mr

and Mrs Lewis were taken in? There's a company registration

number, there's a landline, there's an address? It all appears quite

legitimate. But there's phone numbers on that paperwork that

can't be contacted. So, Andrew, what's your advice in a nutshell?

My advice in a nutshell is this. If the contract's over �35, you've got

a seven-day cooling off period. Take advantage of that seven days -

think clearly about what you're getting yourself into, because once

in it it's very difficult to get out of it. Really good advice,

So did you get a knock on the door from Bellway Paving, here in

Pontardulais or anywhere else? If you've got any information, then

please let us know - give us a call on 03703 334 334 or send us an e-

mail. This company needs to be Still to come - Hannah's dream

home's in great condition. So why And its owner ran a garage, so how

come he didn't spot the rust on Now, all you parents out there know

all too well how expensive school uniform can be. Now a report from

the Office of Fair Trading confirms what many have feared. It says

we're paying �50 million a year too much for uniforms. What do people

here in Pontarddulais think? Are they too expensive? Yes. They

can be expensive, a cheaper than putting designer gear on them every

day. Are they priced correctly? really, No. �7 roughly for a polo

shirt, so probably more expensive than in Asda or ever, but when I

have bought the cheaper stuff from Asda, it doesn't wash as well.

should be available as a cheap cost to all parents. Why are they so

expensive? They shouldn't be except for the emblems, they are

embroidered. Well, the Office of Fair Trading is clear about the

reasons that uniform is so expensive - a lack of competition.

They've written to all headteachers asking them to look at how their

school's uniforms are sold. But not everyone thinks you get a bad deal

from uniform shops. Alan Horder's shop is a major supplier of uniform

in Pontypridd. Alan, why are school uniforms so expensive? Are they

really expensive? What are the alternatives? If we didn't have

branded uniforms for children to wear, peer pressure would be

enormous for children to wear the latest branded holiday. We strive

to offer good quality product at a competitive price. The OFT say it's

because most schools have a single supplier of uniforms.

The competition in Pontypridd is quite big, there are 89 different

uniform shops, and we all basically supply a different schools -- 8 or

9. Is it the badges that make uniforms more expensive? It does

put the price up but we invest heavily in machinery to do that. We

also do a lot of badging up for people who bring in polo shirts

they have bought in supermarkets. They bring more in at Christmas

because the quality isn't there. We know our product will last, and

more than that, we support the campaign to get the 80 removed from

school uniform -- VAT. If it is discernible school uniform by

having a badge on it, why should it be charged? Next, if you think

there's something familiar about this next story, you'd be right. A

year ago we highlighted the plight of homeowners on one estate in West

Wales, and when we heard that things weren't getting any better,

we sent Rachel back to find out why. It looks like an idyllic place to

live. But Clos y Fferm in Aberporth has a problem. Exactly a year ago,

I met people living in these properties and heard about the

horrendous problems they'd had with their new homes. The estate was

built by Rheidol Developments, owned by local builder, Ian Jones.

It was completed in 2006. But a landslip has damaged many of the

buildings. Rob and Dods Arnold bought there in 2007 and soon

noticed cracks in their garage. Last year, they showed me around.

This is where we first discovered the cracks. This one up here. You

can see where that is. Now, it's not just the people who've got

cracks in their properties who are suffering. I've come to meet Hannah

Jones, who thought she'd got a dream property. Aberporth is just

such a lovely village, literally the house is just a short walk down

the hill and you're on the beach. So how did you find this property?

It was hot off the press, we literally rushed out to see it and

we went and put the offer in the next day. Hannah bought her house

in 2006 for �119,000 before it had even been built. I always thought

that a new build was a good bet, because you knew what you were

getting. And have you had any issues with the house? No, it's

great, it's a lovely little property, a great starter home.

structurally it's been solid for you? Yes, no problems that we've

come across. But when the bank where Hannah worked offered her

promotion, she was faced with the prospect of having to move out of

the area. Looking forward to an exciting future, Hannah consulted a

local estate agent, and what he had to say shocked her. I would be able

to sell, but it would need to be for about 50 to 70 per cent of the

market value, and that it would need to be to a cash buyer. How did

you feel about that? It was devastating, really. The reason for

such a dramatic drop in the price of her house? She only had to look

out of her front window. The area opposite the property is just

derelict and overgrown with these big barriers there, and dotted

around are properties which are just boarded up, and it looks like

an abandoned estate, really. it's not just the way the estate

looks. Any surveyor coming along to look at a property for sale, or

even if someone applies for a remortgage, will be obliged to take

into account the condition of the adjoining properties. That is

blight by association. So before Hannah can sell her house, the

wider problems on the estate need to be sorted out. As far as Rob and

Dods are concerned, that's not And we can't see a way forward, all

we can see is our money deteriorating and our property

deteriorating and all our hopes I suppose. Last year we also wrote to

Rob and Dods' buildings insurers, Zurich, who said they were still

monitoring movement in the ground. But they've still not sorted out

the problems with their house. bought it in good faith thinking it

would be a good investment, nice position to have a property, and

it's just been a complete disaster. Builder Ian Jones has told us that

his works to stabilise the site have been successful. And he says

that a full investigation will produce a report as security for

future surveyors, buyers and insurers. But there are still

boarded-up houses on the estate - and cracks in Rob and Dods' garage.

Ian Jones has said property prices on the estate will rise again - but

in the short term things aren't looking good for Hannah. What's it

like looking out on that every day? It can be quite depressing and it

does get you down from time to time. Hannah's had to give up promotion

at the bank until she's in a position to sell up and move.

has been really restrictive and it's - whereas it would normally

not be an issue for people, it's had quite a bearing on the

decisions that we have made. Well, they've had a tough time. But we've

got some great news. Rob and Dods' insurers, Zurich, have just told us

that they have agreed a settlement of their claim and the couple will

be refunded the current market value of their property as if it

were undamaged. They're busy sorting out the detail of that.

We'll keep you up-to-date. Also, builder Ian Jones tells us he is

now planning to demolish the empty houses on the estate. And, he says,

Rheidol Developments are doing everything they can to restore the

site's reputation. Next, Lucy's on For Kathryn Lawday it's vital to

have a strong mobile phone signal, to keep in touch with her poorly

sister. But for the last few months she's had major problems being

heard. Hello, can you hear me? Kathryn's been a loyal Vodafone

customer for years. But now she can't get a mobile phone signal at

home. Hi, Kathryn. Hi Lucy, come in. Thank you, I want to hear what's

been happening with this signal, sounds a nightmare. So, Kathryn,

this is the phone. How long have you been with Vodafone? I've been

with them for eight years now. why did you decide to go with them?

They had really good signal in the area and really great deals around

the time that I joined. But then what happened when you started to

get a problem with the signal? I took out a new contract with them

in April, then I just started losing signal intermittently at

first and then for two months, maybe more, I've just had no signal

at all in the house. Nothing. signal's so bad that Kathryn has to

go for a bit of a stroll if she wants to use her phone. OK, let's

do a check. We're right at the main road now, anything? Yes, we've got

some signal coming through now. Finally! Very annoying. But for

Kathryn it's a lot more important than that. I have a sister that has

a condition that can be life threatening. And I have to be there

to help and take her to hospital or anything like that. So I need my

mobile signal to get in contact with her. And there was a recent

emergency, wasn't there, when it really did cause you a problem

because you didn't have this signal? Yes, she sent me a message

to say her condition was flaring up and that she might need to go to

hospital. I was at home at the time and didn't have the message until

two hours later. How did you feel that you didn't get those messages

when she needed you? I just felt awful. I wanted to be there then

and there. I just couldn't believe it. I was worried. Kathryn first

complained to Vodafone in May. They told her the poor reception was due

to a fault with the local mobile phone mast. Vodafone has repeatedly

told her the mast is being fixed, but Kathryn still can't get a

signal at home. I'm just really upset. I didn't think this is how

they'd treat me. No-one wants to help, no-one wants to listen. It's

just a case of, that's the problem, off you go. You sound pretty fed up

with Vodafone. I would just like to get a signal on my mobile! Kathryn,

I'm on the case. Well, when we got in touch with Vodafone they had an

interesting explanation to Kathryn's problems. They say

overgrown trees are blocking the local mast and therefore the signal

to Kathryn's phone. Cutting them would seem to be the answer, but

Vodafone say they don't own the land the trees are on and therefore

they can't take action. They say they are working on a solution, but

in the meantime, where does that leave Kathryn? Vodafone have

offered her a special signal device, completely free-of-charge, to boost

reception in her home. Hi Lucy. I've got a signal on my phone at

home at last! Thanks for all your help. And that's another case

closed. Good work. Remember, if you need

our help, pick up the phone. Our lines are open until 8.30pm. Now,

tonight we've been looking at the cost of school uniform. Lucy's in

Pontypridd - and she's found a cheap way to kit your kids out.

Yes - I'm in a very different school uniform shop, the biggest

difference being the price. So, Nigel Wheeler, you're the man

behind the scheme. My sun is in a school, we notice the price, we

thought we would trial the project. We had a seat successor would

divert it further. How does it work? We get the children to donate

to the school and we get it washed and ironed and whistle a pack of �5.

Isn't some of it a bit tatty, have a child has already had wear out of

it? Anything that is tatty, which you not use. It is only the quality

material, the uniform that has not been damaged. What has to response

been like? The trial was outstanding and that is why we have

rolled out further. We up to about 80 schools taking part. Thanks very

much. Now if you were going to buy a

campervan and the man selling it to you was a mechanic - you would

think you were buying a reliable vehicle, wouldn't you? Ellie Morris

and her husband David, from Cardiff, have always been huge fans of the

great outdoors. We do a lot of camping, it's good fun, just to go

out with friends, bonfires, barbecues, being outside is just

amazing. I mean, that was our escape from the city. Sleeping

under the stars? That's the one, yeah. But in 2009 they were both

involved in a terrible car crash, leaving Ellie in hospital with a

broken back and David with a fractured spine. Just lost its grip

in the tyres and careered off after a around about it. That is what

changed, everything changed from then on. Sleeping under the stars

was no longer an option. But when they got married the following year,

some generous gifts meant they could revive their love of the

outdoors. Ellie joked and said maybe we should get a campervan or

something and I thought that was an excellent idea, yeah, let's get a

campervan, that would be great. Computer whizz Ellie started the

hunt and one eBay advert caught her eye.The description showed a

fantastic van, in excellent condition, a reluctant seller, and

said it drives perfectly. We kind of set a budget of about �3,500

maximum and eventually we found the Ford Transit and it seemed like a

really good deal. The seller was a man called Graham Moore, who at the

time owned GMS Autocentre in Prestatyn. He was selling the

campervan privately but, as a professional, Ellie and David

thought they were in safe hands. trusted all of the stuff he was

telling us about the engine because he's a mechanic, and you think,

well, much prefer to buy from a mechanic who knows his own engine,

MOT'd it himself in his own garage, was what he told us, just seemed

really good. He asked for �3,550. We had our �1,500 from the wedding

but obviously that wasn't enough so we needed to take out a loan from

the building society, so that's an extra �2,000 that we've taken out.

So, in September, armed with their wedding money and that loan, Ellie

and David took the four-hour journey to Prestatyn. It was

sparkling, sparkling, brand shiny new, looked like it had been

painted. The weather was really nice that day as well so we were

driving around in it and it just hit us that we were going to be the

greatest investment we would ever make. With an MOT certificate

issued by Mr Moore himself and a successful test drive in the bag,

Ellie and David handed over their cash. What did it feel like behind

the wheel driving it? Oh, it was wicked. It was something we kind of

could enjoy after everything that had happened. It's our ticket to

freedom. You know, we can go wherever we want to go. Then, six

months after buying the van, they took it for its annual MOT. The

results were shocking. The van was declared un-roadworthy. We got this

MOT back and the certificate was two pages long, and he was really

going into it. He went through each bit, this is massively corroded,

this is massively corroded, and I'm like "Argh!" Confused by the MOT

results, they took the campervan to two other garages to get second

opinions. None of them would touch it, you know, they said it's just

not worth it. They were told it was beyond economical repair and

possibly one of the worst cases they had ever seen. We weren't

allowed to drive it, the only place I could drive it was to drive it to

places to have it checked out. how bad is it? We asked expert

vehicle examiner Gareth Rees to take a look at the van. Is it

beyond repair? It's totally beyond repair, it's what we call the

proverbial rust bucket. I mean it would be almost impossible to put

this van right. You would be trying to weld rust to rust. So this

hasn't just happened in six months? Oh, no. The amount of corrosion on

here is consistent with having happened over a number of two to

three years. It's shocking. And it not only puts the user of the

vehicle in danger but other road users, because whoever drives this

vehicle has got a potential of losing control. It seems this van

was no stranger to rust. We looked into its history and corrosion has

been reported on its annual MOT certificate every single year since

2006. It even failed its MOT three times. But then in 2011, when Mr

Moore wanted to sell the van, it passed first time with no mention

of rust - strange that Keen to question Mr Moore about the state

of the van, Ellie and David wrote him a letter on the advice of

Trading Standards. And he said basically there's no problem with

it, all checked out clear in his MOTs and the MOT that he did.

disgraceful because it gives the motor trade a bad name and someone

whose profession is a vehicle examiner, that can sell a vehicle

in this condition, well, buyer beware. It was just a huge amount

of money to put out on something that was completely undriveable,

completely unsellable and just very, very frustrating. It's not just the

money thing really, it's the dream, the dream has gone kind of thing,

it's just really sad, really, really sad. Well we have, of course,

written to Mr Moore but he's decided not to reply to us. But

since we got involved he has been in touch with David and Ellie to

discuss the situation. Fingers crossed. That's it for this week.

Remember, if there's anything you'd like us to look into then get in

. Next week, we're out with the police, who are cracking down