MOTOR FIRM TRICKED.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20088, 27 October 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

MOTOR FIRM TRICKED.

OFFER OF "ANY PRICE/'

HUNDRED MILE TEST DRIVE.

LUXURIOUS FREE FEASTS,

An amazing story comes from Dudley. England, how a trickster was feasted by a famous firm of mol.or-car manufacturers, how tie offered " any prico" for a car that had been built for a European king, and then " bought" a second-hand car. finally vanishing and leaving his bills unpaid. A man of stately bearing, whoso " wealth" evidently impressed, persuaded a Dudley garago proprietor to .drivo him to the Midland town whore tho worldfamous car is made. They were to stay the night, and tho cost, whatever it might be, was to be paid by tho visitor At tho best, hotel in tho town an elaborate 3upper was prepared, where, on the pretence that " tho girl, in tho office could not change a £lO noto. £2 was borrowed from tho owner of the taxi. Next morning coffee was ordered for two and a beautiful electric torch was given to " my Dudley engineer."

They went by tram —the car had to be left at the hotel as a security, so as not to arouse suspicion—to the works, where " our mutual friend" was royally received by the manager. , Tho visitor was shown over the works, every part of tho car was but, " unfortunately," tho company had only one car to his liking, and that had been specially made for tho foreign monarch. Offers of " any price" for this did not move the management, and finally, following telephone calls, it was stated that at their London show-rooms the company would have a car to his liking.

Moro feasting took place—not at " our friend's" expense—and then the company sent a luxurious car to take the party to London. With much ceremony, they wero provided for at a West End hotel, where, having stayed the night, they were taken in the car to the showrooms. Elaborate demonstrations, however, failed to convince tho " gentleman" that the company had the suitable car. It was suggested that, as ho wanted immediate delivery he might be willing to look at a second-hand car at a firm where bodies aro built. With an air of injured deference, tho customer was driven to

this establishment. Ho was shown tho car, expressed a desire for a demonstration, and, having been taken a hundred - milo trip, said ho was delighted. Tho price, £1668, was agreed upon, the " purchaser" remarking that " she was a lovoly thing," but ho wanted extras, including a silver eagle as a mascot'. Returning to his hotel to sottle the deal at onco, ho rogrctted his s&Hcitor would not be available for an hour or two, and again ho presided at a popular table. Subsequently ho was driven to his solicitors, left the car fco enter some offices, and from that moment was not seen again.

The man had enjoyed a series of runs, had been feasted royally, and had left without paying hotel bills. Two chauffeurs had been left stranded, to make a disconsolate journey back of more than a hundred miles, the firm had not sold a car, and no services had been paid for. Tho Dudley garage proprietor. has his beautiful electric torch, and the authorities, who havo been informed, have a keen eye for a suspicious character.