[Vendor supplied] One of the largest dealers of classic autos in the U.S.

[2002/Jan/29] After much searching for an AH 3000 MKIII, I found what seemed at the time like a perfect car listed in the Hyman Ltd website. The description said the car was "stunning," completely restored. The photos (from a distance) showed the car to look very nice. The car was described to me by Mark Hyman as perfect, needing nothing. Every item I asked about had been replaced with something new, or was "like new," or had been returned to "like new condition." I went down the proverbial complete list of recommended questions one by one. This car was a hit! It was also much more than I had ever planned to pay for a Healey. I tried to bargain, but was refused, being told there were many buyers lined up to buy this car. Hyman told me he could sell as many of these as he could get his hands on. I was able to get Hyman to pay for the transport cost to me as part of the selling price, but I had to agree to pay his asking price of $37,500.00!!! I agonized over the cost, but in light of the superlative and outrageously flattering description of the car, I knew I had to have it. The car was on its' way to me! When I saw the car, I was stunned. Perhaps this was why the car was described as "stunning." It was NOWHERE near what I had been led to believe, and for what I had paid a small fortune. My heart sank in my chest. I was, and still am, depressed by the experience. I was in shock. Everywhere I looked I saw problems. The doors closed so poorly that the wife of the transport driver thought they were open when they were actually closed. We closed the trunk several times, each time adjusting the spare to see if that was why the trunk lid was askew. The hood required four hands and much coaxing to close. The carpet was filthy and grease-stained. There were several nicks/chips in the paint on the front and sides of the car. The trim around the drivers' door was loose. The inside panel of the drivers' door had been pulled away from the metal, the screws hanging in space. Part of the trim panels inside the car were peeling away from the dash. The glove compartment door closed with much difficulty. Some of the body panels lined up poorly. Some of the chrome also lined up poorly. Slowly my shock turned to anger, which motivated me to tell the driver that I was refusing delivery of the car. This was not the car I had been described in such exquisite detail as "perfect." That night I spoked with Hyman by phone. He disagreed with my impression of the car and said I had unreasonable expectations! I said there was only one definition of "perfect," and this car was not it. He then said he would return my money,. but only after deducting the full transportation costs, both ways. I offered to split the costs, but he said he would charge me the full amount. I mailed today a certified letter to the Missouri State Attorney Generals' office of consumer affairs with a detailed complaint. Perhaps this will get some desired action, but I am not very hopeful. -- Silvestre A. Ortiz <silvestre.ortiz@cditx.com>

The Monster List of British Vendors is brought to you by The Dimebank Garage