OUTLANDISH CAMPERS

I hate to have to do this but I've been brought to a point where I don't see any other way to resolve this issue.

I contacted Outlandish Campers LTD in October last year to fix my camper up which I'd bought with savings from during my chemotherapy. This van was hugely significant in my recovery and relieving trauma from some pretty major events over the last few years. After some discussion about the importance of this, Max (deleted by the administrator) (one of the owners) came back to me suggesting I buy a van from them which they would convert and charge a discounted price. We agreed on February as a deadline so I could be on the road for spring. I sold my beloved wee camper to fund this new project and trusted the process. With (deleted by the administrator)being a known TV presenter with a large following, I felt no reason to distrust what he was telling me. We became friends through this process too and as they were doing me a good turn, my boyfriend did some free photography for them which they now use on their website, socials and fliers for roadshows. They also asked if I would be a brand ambassador as my cancer journey would inspire people and bring attention to their products; although I'm only now seeing how wrong it was of them to ask this of me, we decided to set up an Instagram page at the time and I began telling everyone about their products. One good deed for another I suppose.

I travelled to the workshop in Wales on a number of occasions to check progress on the van but in February the deadline wasn't looking likely to be hit. I visited at the end of March and saw no more progress had been made on the van. (deleted by the administrator)explained explicitly that this was due to his business partners poor health and then divulged on a number of personal matters about his business partner, including that he was parting ways with him, meaning I wouldn't get the units I had been promised after all. I had decided to bring the van home for its MOT and (deleted by the administrator)offered to have the bits I could get delivered.

I was told that I was no longer a priority but I should be more grateful for what they are doing and I had no option but to accept the delay.

The van, not even half way converted, failed its MOT drastically and dangerously. I also had it checked for a second opinion and that garage told me it's unrepairable and better on the scrap heap. Both garages are reputable and VAT registered.

When I contacted the Outlandish Campers guys about this and asked for a refund and collection (I checked and as I was in 30 days I was within my rights to reject the vehicle) They had offered to try and fix it but if 2 garages wouldn't touch it, then I couldn't trust this as a resolve seeing as neither of them are mechanics. Intimidation tactics were immediately used and I was threatened with legal action and this has been the situation for about a month now.

They are well aware of the decline in my mental health not only by not having my camper to escape in but now also that I'm nearly £8000 down (£5800 for van and materials and the rest on expenses for travel and bits I'd bought for the van) they're continuing to threaten me with legal action despite me having confirmed they would have nothing to hold against me. I now believe they're doing this to intimidate me and feel they have no intentions of ever paying me back. Being reasonable I had given them a 14 day deadline which ended yesterday and I've still not heard anything from them at all to resolve this.

There is a whole lot more to the story in terms of the messages and voice notes I've been receiving etc and I have all the information I need to prove they've sold me a dream they couldn't manage and a van which is completely unroadworthy and are now using intimidation tactics against me. My wee heart and head are struggling with it all, it's pushing me to breaking point and I've no idea how to move this along faster other than to make this public.

The company owners are known TV figures and are running pitches at Grand Designs Live and The Southern Motorhome and Campervan Show throughout May.

EDIT**

Thanks everyone for your kind words and comments. I've received alot of messages and I'm trying to get back to everyone.

The van would have been amazing for it's intended purpose and the original CAD drawings and plans made for the conversion were stunning. When they weren't able to complete the conversion I was trying to take on the work myself which I came to terms with. It's the MOT which is the main issue with multiple dangerous defects, major defects and advisories, making the van not fit for purpose and completely unroadworthy. The chassis is completely rotten and another issue amongst others being with a bolt snapped in the engine causing a leak which would require drilling to remove the bolt and is a huge risk which may mean needing to lift the engine out.

I've made it clear to the guys that I believe they did have the best intentions initially but when I've approached the issue to resolve it amicably I've been met with intimidation and threats of legal action.

I've made sure to check all my facts and have done my reasearch (Consumer Rights 2015, Road Traffic Act 1988, Section 75) also getting advice from Consumer Advice and solicitors who work in vehicle rejection, before I contacted them and have remained reasonable throughout the process. Even hoping they might offer to pay back in stages if they didn't immediately have the full amount to refund but there has been no progress made. There is high mileage on the van so I was never expecting a clean bill of health completely when I took it for MOT and I was willing to pay an amount to get any problems fixed but I've been advised by 2 garages it's unroadworthy and unrepairable - I've totally lost faith in it. I rejected the vehicle on day 24 of getting possession of it, within the legal 30 day window.

There has been a month worth of back and forth messages, all met with stone cold responses and when we tried to discuss the issue over the phone last week, I was spoken over and told about financial problems - stuff I was willing to hear out at the beginning but is not resolving the issue for me now.

Making this public is the very last thing I wanted to do as I only want a peaceful life and to get on the road. I've spent my savings on this van and expenses surrounding it and the process of having to take this legal will be too expensive for me to afford. I also made it clear I didn't want them to have to spend money on fees from their side as it would make more sense economically to refund me but I've received messages indicating that they would rather spend money on legal fees then resolve this in a civil way with me

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