platesbypost.co.uk - Have I been been done up like a kipper?

[quantum_man]

Placed an order with platesbypost.co.uk, then they email me saying I need to sent an assortment of documents before I can have my number plate.

Naturally, I don't fancy sending off any original documents as they request, so I emailed to cancel my order. I've been told it's too late to cancel and I'm committed to buy!!!

They have said...

"Your number plates are manufactured as soon as they are ordered, this
process is automated, and therefore cannot be cancelled. We state this
clearly on our terms, which you agree to when purchasing online,
specifically:

1.4. Under the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations
2000, Plates by Post must notify you that the service we provide begins as soon as the number plate/ number plates are ordered, subsequently there is no 'cooling off period', the transaction cannot be reversed or amended and no refund can be given. As soon as we receive your order the number plates will be manufactured on your behalf.

I am sure you can appreciate that number plates are a very bespoke product.

If you send your documents to us to us by recorded delivery we will return them the same way. We shall send your plates out first class on the day we receive them. We have to see them as there is no other way to validate them. It's the law, the DVLA insist on it and if we don't do this we can be struck of the register."

I've just done a quick google and found some horrifying reviews for them...

Anyone else used them or been stitched up by them?! That'll teach me to purchase online in a hurry

[Tyre Smoke]

Which is why I always use www.fancyplates.com No hassle, straightforward, pay for the plates and out they come next day.

Have you paid for the plates?

[Denis O]

Distance selling regs shirley.

Tell 'em to do one.

[mrmr96]

Tyre Smoke said:

Which is why I always use www.fancyplates.com No hassle, straightforward, pay for the plates and out they come next day.

Have you paid for the plates?

+1 for fancy plates.

Doesn't really help the OP now, but maybe that's what you get for not reading the website before pressing the button.
Presumably they can't force you to send your docs in, so you'll just be out of pocket by whatever the price of the plates was. Lesson learned at least.

[Lensey]

I see the company name is Platinum Plates Ltd, they have a couple of grand credit limit and an address on the website so they appear credible enough to me.

Another vote for fancyplates though, they are totally hassle free.

[marshalla]

Denis O said:

Distance selling regs shirley.

Tell 'em to do one.

Bespoke/customised products are exempt. Sneaky contract is technically correct.

[B17NNS]

mrmr96 said:

+1 for fancy plates.

Bit late and of little help to the OP but +2

[Streps]

quantum_man said:

They have said...

"Your number plates are manufactured as soon as they are ordered, this
process is automated, and therefore cannot be cancelled. We state this
clearly on our terms, which you agree to when purchasing online,
specifically:

Surely you can't agree to terms unless you were made aware of them before purchase?
Is the website clear?

[A900ss]

I would at least ask for a photo of the plates they have supposedly made up to ensure that they have actually made them.

I think that you have no choice but to pay but if you get a photo from them of the plates they have made up, at least you know that they have incurred a cost rather than just taking your money for nowt.

Good luck.

[quantum_man]

Yeh my gaff I think... how I wish I'd have used Fancyplates!!!

At least I only ordered one and not a pair

[Tyre Smoke]

So, you have a choice:

a) Send them your docs via recorded delivery
b) Lose your money

In this instance I'd opt for a) and then use Fancy Plates in future!!!

[Krikkit]

Streps said:

quantum_man said:

They have said...

"Your number plates are manufactured as soon as they are ordered, this
process is automated, and therefore cannot be cancelled. We state this
clearly on our terms, which you agree to when purchasing online,
specifically:

Surely you can't agree to terms unless you were made aware of them before purchase?
Is the website clear?

marshalla said:

Denis O said:

Distance selling regs shirley.

Tell 'em to do one.

Bespoke/customised products are exempt. Sneaky contract is technically correct.

As above - any item which has to be specially made to order is exempt from the DSR's. In this case they're within their rights. Send the docs, get your plates.

[Exige77]

Tyre Smoke said:

Which is why I always use www.fancyplates.com No hassle, straightforward, pay for the plates and out they come next day.

Have you paid for the plates?

^^^^^ what he said. Always quick, good service and quality plates. As they are in Ireland they don't need to see your docs.

Ex77

[swisstoni]

Hmmm. Why would they create the plates before ascertaining that the order was bona fide? It's not your fault they rush down to the shed the minute an unverified order comes in. Or do they? Could it be that in fact, the sending of the original documents puts so many people off that they end up getting paid for doing nothing in a lot of cases.

I don't doubt that they do go ahead and create the plates on receipt of the documents but not before.

[Bushi]

swisstoni said:

Hmmm. Why would they create the plates before ascertaining that the order was bona fide? It's not your fault they rush down to the shed the minute an unverified order comes in. Or do they? Could it be that in fact, the sending of the original documents puts so many people off that they end up getting paid for doing nothing in a lot of cases.

I don't doubt that they do go ahead and create the plates on receipt of the documents but not before.

Whats the other option? go through the effort and costs of refunding everyone that decides to order and pay without reading any information or expects them to break the law, doesn't sound fair on the business.

[confused_buyer]

The truth is the first lot by asking for the documents are obeying the law and have a DVLA licence to make plates and no doubt will provide proper BS approved ones.

Fancyplates are based in the Republic of Ireland so are circumnavigating UK law by shipping them from outside the UK.

The latter one might be less hassle, but the first by asking for the documents are simply following legal UK requirements for a UK company making number plates.

[PhilTD5]

surely they are in the wrong by making the plates without having seen the documentation first?

[mrmr96]

PhilTD5 said:

surely they are in the wrong by making the plates without having seen the documentation first?

Not if they don't send them out.

[mmm-five]

I wouldn't want to send original documents to some unknown entity either - but if you do send them I'd suggested Special Delivery rather than 'Recorded Signed For' as then you can track it properly and are insure to £500.

Surely they should have asked for the proof/documents BEFORE hitting 'print', or the ordering process should have been put 'on hold' until the documents have been received/verified. They could easily have a checkbox which asks you to confirm you understand the requirement to send the documents before they accept your order, but instead they hide it in the T&Cs (which I bet most people will never read).

Next time, just use fancyplates, Halfords or you local car dealer, as the prices won't be much different than what you'll have to pay to get the ones you've already paid for once you include Special Delivery for your docs.

[8vFTW]

Do fancyplates come with the manufacturer post code/BS mark?

If they don't, they aren't legal. To produce legal plates, it's a requirement to see your documents. That's why I use local places for stuff like that.