Colins Auto Exports

Good Afternoon, firstly I need to point out that Auto Workshop Supplies LLC dba Colins Auto Export has been dissolved as per Florida law, and is no longer open. However, I picked up the voicemail and letter today, so I will briefly respond. Mr *** asked us to purchase a car for him as we did for his brother some months prior. We sent him details of one, and we went to inspect it. We didn't like it and told him so. So we continued a search. We found this car and sent him images and details. He is paying around $17,000 for a car, that he knew was not concours and nows one as such is about $28-20k. He docided he wanted us to purchase it for him and sent the money. We then went to the dealer and gave it an inspection and a drive. With the facilities available we deemed the car good value, matching numbers and drove really nicely. So we brokered the deal for him. We do not buy stock. We then drove the vehicle ona long trek, as per his request, as a 'shake down'. The car is a 1978 vintage on original motor/transmission. On the way back, we noticed that it had started to smoke. Upon investigation, the rear oil seal has gone. Nothing serious, and in keeping with a car of that age. As a gesture of goodwill we explained we would fix that for him, free of charge. He then asked us to add performance to this car, headers and a performance cam kit. So we bought these items as per request. We use a local repair shop, to fir such items. All he said was who would be liable should something 'break' or be 'dangerous' when all this new power is added to the orignal old components, as he didnt want the risk or responsibility. We explained that a complete rebuild could get up to $7k IF there were problems as we stripped out his old engine. So nothing other than explaining any liability was his. We also noticed whilst the car was on a full 4 post ramp (obviously one of these isnt available during a normal vehicle inspection) that the repair to the trunk floor, whilst real clean when you look in the trunk, could of been finished better looking at the underside. Again, nothing serious. We also stated, like we do with any old car, that the paintwork (unliess buying a concours vehicle) always benefits from a mop/polish or even a wet sand/polish. He has seen the paintwork in images sent to him way before he sent any monies to us. His brother then said not to worry, his guy in the UK can fit the Cam kit etc, no problem. So many weeks of owning the vehicle, and after these communications, he tells us he doenst want it, and can we trade it for another. So naturally we said we would help. So HE saw two other vehicles that he would like. Bear in mind THIS car was at the top of his budget, and now, after 'finding' more money (probably from his brother) his budget has increased substantially. So we spoke to the trader with these other vehicles and came up with solutions. He would not accept either of these as he thought the trader should offer the 'retail' price that he paid. Now everyone knows a trader will only offer a low trade value. So he said "No, I want my money back" or I will take yo to court. Also at the same time, started posting negative and quite damming posts on FaceBook about our company. Bear in mind also, we ship/broker about 100 vehicles a year to the UK and have an exceptional customer rating. So we explain we cannot give him his money, and due to his comments and nature we do not want any further dealings with him. We sent the car to the port for export as per our agreement, and thats where our agreement ends. The shipping is done by another company directly with him. However he then would not sign a Power of Attorney form for them to help with the import documentation. So his car sits at the port for many, many weeks. Eventually the shipping company ask us whats going on. Mr *** does not respond to them, or us at all. So I arrange, at my cost to have the car collected and stored. Naturally there are storage charges. Again this is sent to Mr ***. Again, all ignored. We explain we can put a lien on the title to cover these increasing costs/debt. Again no response. Then I get a letter from the FLHMSV and we have a meeting. This about 8 weeks after our latest compliance meeting that we passed *** flying colours. He got no success with them. He then made a claim on our bond insurance, and after explaining the issue, they too told him there was no case. Further slanderous postings on social media followed. All the time only communication I get from Mr ***, a UK resident, is that he is going to take us to court. Again, no court in Florida will take his case, and no court in the UK, can file against the LLC corporation in the USA. I then explain we will no longer be in business soon, and that his current storage and transportation costs were near $2000. Again, no positive communication). So as another gesture of goodwill, and before the company was closed, we paid all the outstanding storage and transportation costs up to and including 6th March 2020. We sent him a letter that he received, explaining this, and also the details of the company storing his car. We cannot do anymore He is compaining about a car that is worth the money he paid. We did not even advertise the car. He has not even seen the car. We have images of the car, as it was when we sent it to port. His car is currently stored, and has been since back in October, outside, open to all elements. We have also explained that he has full 100% liability for any damage to the car and contents, also any theft of the car, or parts or contents. the vehicle title, documentation, bill of sale, are in the car. Everyone I know from both sides of the atlantice have agreed. Its a simple case of buyers remorse. He bought it, then found some more money and has changed his mind. The car is a great car for the money, everyone who has seen it agrees. Sadly, when Mr *** eventually decides to have his car shipped, even if it were a 100% concours, we all know it wont be perfect for him. However, as mentioned, the company has closed its doors, and most communications will go unanswered, but I felt it right to explain the real truth, and not the frustrations of someone who has changed there mind. The company that are storing his car, and indeed the original shipping company, are quite willing to help him have it sent to the UK. Mr ***, still has not even seen this car in person, or any of his representatives. Thank you.

I am now overly tired of all this. Let me just go through some of the actual facts once again.
The car was purchased through Auto Workshop Supplies LLC DBA Colins Auto Export, both registered within the state of Florida. Now dissolved.

Mr. just wrote "First can I point out some serious mistruths by Mr.L..
He never purchased a car for my brother,my brother sourced the car himself,he only asked Mr.L.to ship it over to the UK."

Simply untrue.

FACT: ***, his brother contacted us back in May/June last year, looking for a specific car. He himself had seen one and explained that was the sort of car he was after. So through various phone conversations (These were quite humorous, as Derek could only call when he was out walking his dog, as he did not want his wife to overhear conversations of him buying a car). The original car he saw was still available but not in a location where we could inspect it. So he asked us to further investigate the vendor and broker the deal. Then have the car shipped to us for us to look over and advise of any issues. So this is what we did. The attached file 'derekquote' was emailed to *** on the 6th June 2019. As you can see, this quite clearly sets out what we are doing for this client. Also quite clearly states any liabilities. It shows also, that our responsibilities are to broker the deal, do the inspections etc and ship the car to port. At that point we hand over to another company that Derek deals directly with for shipping and the import documentation. To prove further, attached is a copy of our bank statement for June 2019, clearly showing a deposit from *** for the correct amount! So you can see 100% we did broker a sale for *** unlike the statement from ***, the facts are there in black and white. In addition, when ***s car arrived with us, it had a horrendous fuel leak from the fuel line into the carburetor. I do have a video of this should *** want to dispute this also? So we spoke to ***, and at his request had the carburetor repaired. We also spoke to the vendor who contributed to the repair. Once fixed, we then sent the vehicle as per our arrangement to port. All done, *** was very happy indeed with our services, hence why he told his brother to use us!
Again *** says he has never seen any of our terms etc.... Well that cannot be true can it? All the way through this deal, there was a three way 'conversation' between ***, *** and I. *** was lending/giving his brother a percentage of the money for the car and wanted to be involved. *** has already purchased through us, as factually stated and supported here. In another fact, the monies for this car was sent by his brother!

Mr. also wrote "The reason I led to believe by my Lawyers and others who have dealt with him he has dissolved his company is that he can no longer sell to individuals as instructed by FLHMSV so he's closed it down"

Simply Untrue.

FACT: Even to this day, our Florida wholesale license, issued by the FLHSMV is in order. During our initial consultations with the FLHSMV we explained clearly what we do, and how we operate. There are a number of types of dealer license available. Upon consultation, we were advised, by the FLHSMV to go with the wholesale license. In I believe May of 2019 (I don't have the exact date) we had a full inspection of our procedures and systems by the compliance officer Stephen B. from the Palmetto office. During these interviews, the compliance officer picks about 8 random vehicle sales and goes through each of them thoroughly to check compliance, this paperwork trail shows vehicle purchases, title documentation copies, client information etc etc. SO as all our clients are UK based and mostly individuals, he was happy and said we did not need to change anything. This mainly because the UK law on vehicle traders is different to US in that you don't need a specific license. I am sure that should he wish, Mr. could ask to see a copy of Mr. B.s compliance report on the business. After Mr. complaint to the FLHSMV we had a meeting with two different officers from the Palmetto office. They understood our business and asked us to change the way that we 'land' cars in the UK, to show it is landing to a registered company and not a private individual, just to make thing cleaner. Unlike Mr. posts and comments, we did not get a threat of any court action, or 'citation' as he put it. Again, to conclude the facts as I stated here and previously, attached is the copy of the letter from the FLHSMV. At this point, we then only imported via UK Ltd company to appease the situation. You can quite clearly see from their letter that they were noting an issue, not as Mr. publishes, 'citing' us (this means court action etc) again, more slander. Attached is FLHSMV letter copy, again proving my statement.

The reason we closed the business we stated quite openly and from the heart. If Mr. wants to question my wife's home-sickness and more important health issues and wants proof of this, then I'm sorry, he can just 'want' I am not publishing any of that. Suffice to say that she currently is taking 6 pills every morning and a further 5 every evening. In addition, 2019 was an incredibly tough year for exporting from the US into the UK 'luxury' market. Any seller of vehicles of they type we offer would say the same. Add to that Brexit, a general election and a weak pound/exchange rate. So a personal and professional decision was made. If Mr. believes his 'issue' was in any way aligned to our decision, again. He is mistaken. If I do decide to open a similar business in the future, then that is solely my business, in the meantime, I am free to help whoever I choose.

The car was at the top of his budget. FACT.
He wanted a Chevelle SS, and when we explained the prices of one in good condition, he immediately explained he could not afford that. He alone was borrowing money from his brother to assist in the purchase.

His brother, as a matter of fact, during the latter part of the search and purchase, even spoke to me and apologized, stating that he wished he had never got either of us involved with his brother as he was difficult to deal with and impetuous, in hindsight, I would agree with is brother.

Again, a simple case of buyers remorse, for which we are not responsible for in any way. He bought a car for $17,000, a car worth the money, everything is relative to budget. He now wants a concours version that would be nearer $30k. The photographs show the vehicle exactly as it is/was. At this rate he will end up with nothing, and that would be a shame.

We have done what we agreed as quite clearly stated in our terms. His car has now been sitting out in the open now for many months, The vehicle is owned by Mr ***. We have no further involvement. If he wishes to collect the car from its current location, that is his decision. He will be charged ongoing storage rates at typical automotive recovery yard rates. It seems that he has no real concept of this either. I do know that this yard WILL enforce a lien on the title, and WILL get a legal order to sell Mr. Smiths vehicle should he not respond and pay accordingly. That again, is nothing to do with us.
The business is closed, all incoming mail is marked RTS as the office is closed too.

Please note that all the above is written without prejudice.

I am closing this matter now. Thank you, I wish you all good health.
*** L..