pks1702
Well-Known Member
A bit long winded but humour me.
In these days where the reputation of 'some' boat brokers are down there with Banks, Politicians and the Tax man I bring you a story of a broker who is a beacon of trust and great service; who is this – Chris Harridge and his team at Offshore Power Boats of Lymington.
We decided around 6 months ago to change our current boat; she has served us well and kept us safe in our forays around the East Coast and near continent but it was time to move up a bit. We had hung our noses over a Swift Trawler looking over these at boat shows and decided this was the boat for us. We found an excellent example at OPB Lymington and from the outset Chris and Steve were extremely professional and helpful. We paid a deposit and agreed a sea trial last Saturday, with the help of Nick Trainer our surveyor (who I can also thoroughly recommend) the Swift was tested and came out with a clean bill of health which in fairness for a 2012 model it should. Based on this likely outcome I had set up a CHAPS transfer some days before to OPB to clear yesterday with shipping set at 8.00am this morning.
Sea Trial
Yesterday morning I chased the Halifax where the funds were to confirm the CHAPS was being made “yes we are just doing it now” by 11.00am I get a text message saying the CHAPS has been processed. I ring Chris and tell him to look out for the funds in the next couple of hours. After two hours with no funds I make numerous calls to various people in the bank all almost indignantly saying the funds have gone (and they have from my account). By 1630 I am climbing the walls but Chris remains ice cool, he then gets a call from his Bank to say that funds have been transferred but my Bank have c*cked up and put me as the beneficiary. I ring my bank where after putting them straight check and apologise, admit the mistake and say they will resolve first thing in the morning. I relay to Chris who must have been concerned but remains cool, I sent him a cut and paste from my account showing the funds have gone and give him my Bank Managers contact details to verify if that makes him more comfortable but he says no need.
This morning the Halifax contact HSBC admit their mistake ask if they can put the funds in OPB account Halifax will send a fax explaining the error to cover HSBC, they decline saying the funds have to be sent back to Halifax for them to re CHAPS and it could take 48 hours. Meanwhile the Swift is loaded and ready for the off but no signs of a resolution. Chris takes a leap of faith and releases the boat to save fouling up the transport and additional costs to me. The rest of the day has been a farce with HSBC saying the money has been sent back, Halifax saying they have not got it, HSBC saying they made an error in transacting, they will get a manager involved but it won’t be done today, me climbing the walls some more and Chris remaining calm. So currently our new pride and joy is on its way but the funds have still not transferred. I feel highly embarrassed by the whole episode although bear no fault. In this day and age I find it incredible we can all transfer funds via Internet banking without an issue but because of the sum this has to be done by CHAPS with a charge and the most basic requirement needed of correct sort code, account number and beneficiary are c*ocked up causing such frustration. Vicky Pollard is alive and well in banking!
Tomorrow is another day and hopefully this will be resolved in the morning (I thought that this morning), I look forward to completing my side of the agreement ASAP.
If you are in the market for a Nimbus or one of the used craft OPB have available I can heartily recommend them as professional, honourable and a pleasure to deal with, Chris will probably be in the pub having a large one after the day I have given him! He is though a thoroughly decent honourable man and in these days of concerns over some brokers he is a shining example of a good one.
In these days where the reputation of 'some' boat brokers are down there with Banks, Politicians and the Tax man I bring you a story of a broker who is a beacon of trust and great service; who is this – Chris Harridge and his team at Offshore Power Boats of Lymington.
We decided around 6 months ago to change our current boat; she has served us well and kept us safe in our forays around the East Coast and near continent but it was time to move up a bit. We had hung our noses over a Swift Trawler looking over these at boat shows and decided this was the boat for us. We found an excellent example at OPB Lymington and from the outset Chris and Steve were extremely professional and helpful. We paid a deposit and agreed a sea trial last Saturday, with the help of Nick Trainer our surveyor (who I can also thoroughly recommend) the Swift was tested and came out with a clean bill of health which in fairness for a 2012 model it should. Based on this likely outcome I had set up a CHAPS transfer some days before to OPB to clear yesterday with shipping set at 8.00am this morning.
Sea Trial
Yesterday morning I chased the Halifax where the funds were to confirm the CHAPS was being made “yes we are just doing it now” by 11.00am I get a text message saying the CHAPS has been processed. I ring Chris and tell him to look out for the funds in the next couple of hours. After two hours with no funds I make numerous calls to various people in the bank all almost indignantly saying the funds have gone (and they have from my account). By 1630 I am climbing the walls but Chris remains ice cool, he then gets a call from his Bank to say that funds have been transferred but my Bank have c*cked up and put me as the beneficiary. I ring my bank where after putting them straight check and apologise, admit the mistake and say they will resolve first thing in the morning. I relay to Chris who must have been concerned but remains cool, I sent him a cut and paste from my account showing the funds have gone and give him my Bank Managers contact details to verify if that makes him more comfortable but he says no need.
This morning the Halifax contact HSBC admit their mistake ask if they can put the funds in OPB account Halifax will send a fax explaining the error to cover HSBC, they decline saying the funds have to be sent back to Halifax for them to re CHAPS and it could take 48 hours. Meanwhile the Swift is loaded and ready for the off but no signs of a resolution. Chris takes a leap of faith and releases the boat to save fouling up the transport and additional costs to me. The rest of the day has been a farce with HSBC saying the money has been sent back, Halifax saying they have not got it, HSBC saying they made an error in transacting, they will get a manager involved but it won’t be done today, me climbing the walls some more and Chris remaining calm. So currently our new pride and joy is on its way but the funds have still not transferred. I feel highly embarrassed by the whole episode although bear no fault. In this day and age I find it incredible we can all transfer funds via Internet banking without an issue but because of the sum this has to be done by CHAPS with a charge and the most basic requirement needed of correct sort code, account number and beneficiary are c*ocked up causing such frustration. Vicky Pollard is alive and well in banking!
Tomorrow is another day and hopefully this will be resolved in the morning (I thought that this morning), I look forward to completing my side of the agreement ASAP.
If you are in the market for a Nimbus or one of the used craft OPB have available I can heartily recommend them as professional, honourable and a pleasure to deal with, Chris will probably be in the pub having a large one after the day I have given him! He is though a thoroughly decent honourable man and in these days of concerns over some brokers he is a shining example of a good one.
as long as they are ok who cares !!!!?? ******rs
