Store First Storage Pods Scam Complaints
This information was posted on Motley Fool website and a poster had found one of
these storage pods for sale. Store First (Group First) claimed that these storage pod investments were guaranteed and low risk - it doesn't appear to be that way.
This is the lot - http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20151203/110 the guide price of £10,000 is for 9 units! The legal pack provided contained a copy of the original lease dated 1 June 2012. The seller bought the storage pod via his SIPP and paid £33,750 for this 'investment' in 2012.
He's also previously tried to sell them in the October auction, though this time with a guide price of £20,000 - http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20151022/065a. They've abandoned that for this month's auction, I wonder why?
This is the lot - http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20151203/110 the guide price of £10,000 is for 9 units! The legal pack provided contained a copy of the original lease dated 1 June 2012. The seller bought the storage pod via his SIPP and paid £33,750 for this 'investment' in 2012.
He's also previously tried to sell them in the October auction, though this time with a guide price of £20,000 - http://www.pugh-auctions.com/Lot/Manchester/20151022/065a. They've abandoned that for this month's auction, I wonder why?
Group First seem to operate a complete con, I have lost around £65000 and it seems there is no way out.
ReplyDeleteSame with me, I am at my wits end. I would sell them for next to nothing if I could find a buyer.
ReplyDeleteSo is there any hope I lost 60000 pounds
DeleteI would appear there isn't much unless you were advised by a FCA regulated financial adviser
DeleteWe got Hugh James solicitors on it obviously at a percentage cost but after paying them we got £45000 out of that after fees we got £38,000 back through FSA.
DeleteOnly trouble is we still own the pods now trying to give them back but there might be tax to be paid.
So now we are in contact with tax office and looking for some advice
You have to get your claim in with in a time limit not such what that is.
Hope this helps you we were adviced by a financial Advisor.
Yes Margaret.Hartley pensions wont let me surrender the pods back to SF because they and I will be liable to fines from HMRC for not getting a "fair market value".Everybody it seems knows they are worthless,everybody but HMRC.
DeleteThere is a way out. Contact Financial ombudsman. Took me two years but Ombudsman upheld my complaint. Many solicitors firms will get your money back on a no win no fee basis. Writings on wall for Store First.
ReplyDeleteCan you give me more information on how you went about this ? Berkely Burke are charging me ridiculous fees and now Store First are hitting me for ground fees.
DeleteIf you were advised to invest in Store First by an FCA-regulated adviser the Financial Ombudsman can order redress.
DeleteUnlike the courts, the Ombudsman process is straightforward and you don't need to use a solicitor.
If you did not use an FCA-registered adviser the Financial Ombudsman does not apply. This is an unregulated investment so if there is not a registered firm somewhere in the chain, you are on your own.
I too have found there is no way out, Quenton Wilson as spokesperson/promoter states if you should need your money back quickly Store First will help you sell them and at a profit.I instructed them to sell mine over a year ago and said I would forgo any profit, I then said I would accept half what I paid then I said I would accept a third then any offer. I have heard nothing, I cant get rid of them for any price. I now realise I am the victim of an unscrupulous or lain dishonest scam and all my money is gone. Quentin Wilson is dancing with the devil.
ReplyDeleteMy partner and I are in the same position with our 65,000 savings gone and nothing left at the age of 65!
DeleteWe have them on the Blackburn place and they were shut down by the fraud quad
DeleteSince then they were sold to someone else !! But just a chance of name I know for a fact that same people are there.
After they allegedly bought them we were offer to be able to what the call surrender the pods but that's not easy we have had a solicitors look and there could be tax isuse so now we are in contact with HMRC.
Store First or Steal First- First we take your money then we give you a little bit back then we keep the rest.
ReplyDeleteThose responsible person should go to prison.
DeleteYes us too, invested 18,000 cant sell them, never been occupied in 5 years so no rental as promised. To top it we have a yearly bill of £500 to berkley burke who are the SIPP provider. Have reduced the price drastically but store first have not informed us if they want them and apparently they have five years to decide. Our unscrupulous agent was danielle moss working in spain, the ad we saw was to transfer a pension and get a cash free lump sum...what a complete scam. How much longer can they get away with this scam/
ReplyDeleteOver £30,000 down the pan....my only pension savings!
ReplyDeleteA familiar tale with me too i'm afraid . £49 000 down the drain by the looks of things.I was intrigued by anonymous's posting about his /her complaint being upheld by the FO. I also tried going down this road but was told that because they are not represented by the F S A or whatever they're called now ,i dont have a leg to stand on .Anonymous states that his /her complaint was upheld but doesn't say whether she /he got their money back or not [doubt it ].I have also spoke to a lawyer and inform me it's a tricky one as legally they are on firm ground . I am going to seek a second opinion on this matter though as there must be something illegal about this scam . [will keep you informed ]. I saved for about 25 years for this pension and although it might not be massive it's the only one i have and i'll be dragged kicking and screaming before i give it up to these parasites. Good luck everyone ,and hopefully we'll have our day in court and get back what is rightfully ours . Your's Disgruntled.
ReplyDeleteI think it depends if your investment was made via an IFA or direct to the company. If via IFA then they will have some responsibility for their advice
DeleteWe had Garudain pension scheme looking after our they went into administrative
DeleteWe claimed against them and won through Hugh James Solicitors and FSA paid out
We were so lucky.
Can do it on your own get help yes they take a percentage of whatnyou get but 75% is better than nothing
I help people get compensation via the FSCS if you had a uk regulated advisor involved so if i can help let me know
DeleteHi we have been scammed for 99000.00 by James Taylor forms signed fraudulently he never said he was a agent he made out he was working for Sorenson Do not trust them either I said no but it was still pushed through my husband has a brain injury his health is failing due to the stress more pills and hospital how can they do this they new my husband health they do not care if we all did something we need to stop them and I will do everything to stop store first I have nothing to lose only justice for everyone they are so cruel
ReplyDeleteI am also in the same boat as the rest of you £72,000 invested 7 years ago all my pension money gone I feel gutted and now the company is being wound up lets hope something can be done to retrieve our monies
ReplyDeleteMy mother inlaw invested £12,000 received some return for a couple of years then nothing.Contacted store first asking to sell them but told they were sold internally whatever that means.
ReplyDeleteI invested £90,000,
Deletegot a return for two years then nothing after a (break clause)
was implemented !@!
I invested £90,000,
Deletegot a return for two years then nothing after a (break clause)
was implemented !@!
I also invested £47,000 from my pension through a lowlife scumbag so called Financial adviser whom I'm told received a ridiculous fee for setting it up. Berkely Burke are also charging ridiculous fees and also I just got word from them yesterday that Store Pods his me with ground rent even though these pods haven't earned me a penny. A year ago Store First rang me up trying to sell me more of them ( can you believe the cheek of the bastards ?) They informed me that 80% of the pods in Glasgow were occupied, I then replied well why is it that none of the five I have have been used ? He then tried to give me some crap excuse so you can imagine where I told him to go. These rats should all be thrown in the jail.
ReplyDeleteWhat store is ur pods in?
DeletePlease can anyone tell me the latest info on this...anything. my mother has lost her life savings through investing directly with these scumbags. There are no funds left for redress and we are at a complete loss as to who we could contact regarding going on the list of owed creditors should this company be liquidated. Just a warning you will get cold called by compsnies offering help...unfortu unfort they got to my mother before I could advise her and she's subsequently lost another ten thousand out of desperation for help. Please can anyone email me info or where to find it. My email is katief_day@yahoo.co.uk .thank you for any help. I'm desperate to help my mother
ReplyDeleteI have also been caught out £61,500 of investment. I feel sick even thinking about it, basically my pension pot gone.....how can this be ??
ReplyDeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteIt's so sad to see so many people affected by this. My firm is contacted by a lot of people who have lost all of their pensions; we do what we can to help but sadly not everyone has the same protections afforded to them.
As mentioned above, if you took advice from a financial advisor you will have some protection available, as there is a compensation scheme in place for this. You could also have a claim if you invested through a Self Invested Personal Pension, through a company such as Berkeley Burke or Carey Pensions. A lot of Pension Providers allowed investments in Store First which they should never have touched!
Now comes the shameless self promotion bit, apologies in advance- if you want a consultation with us, please call us on 0113 323 1955. Here's our website- http://www.sippclaims.uk/.
It's no-win, no-fee, so no expense to you unless we secure your money back.
I bought one pod, obviously lost it all. Using all my savings, I bought a hotel room investment for my retirement, the developer went to liquidation. Lost all my £38000 investment. Really hate those scammers. They deserve to go to hell.
ReplyDeleteI would love to see them face to face
DeleteI have just set up a Facebook group entitled 'Store First Pod Owners Action Group'. I'm currently posting links to anything I can find on them but my aim is to get all pod owners together not only to support each other but so it's easier to communicate. Finding info on them is not easy. Thank you
ReplyDeleteYou might want to include Park First owners too as they seem to be having similar issues to people putting money into Store First
DeleteHi I invested 62000 by Jackson Frances they never told me I bought pods
DeleteIs your Facebook group still active? I searched for "Store First Pod Owners Action Group" but did not find it. I would be interested in joining.
DeleteI have lost.62000 pension to store first through Jackson Frances
Deletehttps://www.gov.uk/government/news/winding-up-petitions-against-store-first-continue
ReplyDeleteThere is a link in this article to complain to DWF law about Store First. They are acting for Dept of Business in bringing the wind up order to Store First. Please complain, the more the better! Good luck!
Unfortunately the questionnaire was only up to June 2018 but it's certainly worth passing on your views to DWF
DeleteIm another one who Invested my pension I think Jackson France's staff should also be in court
ReplyDeleteJackson frances should be in court too
ReplyDeleteHi, has anyone set up an action Group for Pod Owners who were mis-sold a Sipp plan withe Berkeley Burke/Storefirst. I invested and have had a full compensation pay out from FSCS. The issue for me is the Pod Handback is being blocked by SIPP providers who are desperate to have the tie in with SIPP continued as it allows them to continue to charge astronomical fees yearly, with no way out. Would be happy to assist anyone who feels trapped and needs a little help.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteSo why was Toby Whittaker wife allowed to take store first over many people have lost their pensions because of pliers like them Berkley Burke And Jackson Frances we have no Pensions now why are they all living the high life I would like to see them face to face people like the low life Kevin Flemming I bet he is set up for life now with his lies the asshole
DeleteSimilar situation with me,no FSCS payout yet but Hartley Pensions wont sign the deed of surrender so I can give the worthless pods back to SF.Any advice?
Deletecatcvn65@aol.co.uk
This comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteBerkley Burke And the robbing Bitch Kim Steel and Kevin Flemming should all be brought to justice
ReplyDeleteKim Steel the thieving Bastard from Berkley Burke And Kevin Flemming from Jackson Frances should be in court for fraud I would love to see them face to face
ReplyDeleteIf we can ascertain what a "fair market value" is for these pods,hopefully £00.00 because no one except SF wants them,then we can get the deed of surrender signed by Hartley Pensions etc and give them back to SF without fear of retribution from HMRC.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
DeleteI'm pretty much in the same boat. Hartley pensions have sent their Administration bill which clears me out and i am owing them. I'm waiting for them to ask for more money and what if i say no as i'm not working? I wrote to the M.P. Alok Sharma to complain about the outcome of the receiverships decision to let Toby Whittakers wife takeover Storefirst {what an absolute disgrace!!!) his office wrote back to say it was the best outcome for clients who were running businesses. There are a lot of people suffering through this and i'm sure they could have come to a better outcome. They should all be in jail by now for what they have done, scum the lot of them.
DeleteRowenmoor are taking £685 a year off me looks like im trapped and evdtually they will have taken whats left of my pension they said iff i take the pension whats left i have to leave 3years of fees in the account i said will you put it in writing that after the 3years you wont ask for anymore fees they said they would let me know and would put it down as urgent and they will get someone from rowenmoor to phone me about whats happening heard nothing no suprise
DeleteIve been advised that my complaint has to go to the pension ombudsman £106000 into a ssas (stevenson pride) Matt Boocock was the adviser, i just dont know what to do.
ReplyDeleteAnyone who owns A SIPP and Storefirst Locker and Hartley Pensions are involved, especially in regard to their refusal to sign over the handback to Storefirst, I cannot emphasize enough, put in a complaint to the FSO, Financial Services Ombudsman stating they are acting in their own interests and for their own benefit only and not yourself as the Policy Holder, if they are flooded with complaints then just maybe they can be broken. Its a simple process, just phone them and they will instruct you on how to proceed, please please do it, the louder the voice the more likely we have a chance to beat Hartley. Thanks.
ReplyDeletePS. Hartleys owner is one of the Conservative Parties biggest financial sponsors, " Them that's got shall get, them thats not shall loose".
Update: The FOS, Financial Ombudsman Service have begun to listen in regards the complaints about Hartley Pensions and their handling of the SIPP Pensions they were handed, this is huge. Please please please, make a formal complaint to the FOS about Hartley Pensions, this is the first time ever anyone has taken this issue seriously. As I have said before, if the FOS are flooded with complaints then they have to listen. It's easy quick and simple, just give them a call and they will advise you how to proceed. For the first tome in 5 years fighting this I have a glimmer of hope. Best of luck everyone. Go for it.
ReplyDeleteI have these pods but want to sell. I am not in a pension plan, i just bought them as a investment . Any help would be appreciated . i do get a small return and will accept an offer if anyones interested?
ReplyDeleteI have these pods but want to sell. I am not in a pension plan, i just bought them as a investment . Any help would be appreciated . i do get a small return and will accept an offer if anyones interested?
ReplyDeleteI have these pods but want to sell. I am not in a pension plan, i just bought them as a investment . Any help would be appreciated . i do get a small return and will accept an offer if anyones interested?
ReplyDeleteHi contact me on gtipropertiesltd@gmail.com
DeleteExactly the same position, never had anything after the first two years. Now just can’t get rid
DeleteHi, myself and a friend are considering starting up an Action Group in regards the situation with Storefirst Pod/Hartley Pensions. I appreciate individuals may have gone down their own way in regards the treatment Tey have received, the FOS, personal claims etc but we feel a larger group moving forward might make a difference going forward. We will gauge the responses to this request by any comments below and if enough people get involved we will leave further details in regards moving forward.Thanks Dandare.
ReplyDeleteWell I won my case against Berkeley Burke by joining a group through a law firm. I think it's a great idea. To me Hartley Pensions are just B.B in disguise, no doubt some of their ex employees will be there. Any decent company wouldn't have touched B. Burke with a barge pole
DeleteHi, when you say say you won your case did you win compensation or did you force Hartley to sign the Deed of Surrender and you have moved your SIPP away from Hartley? Thanks Dandare.
DeleteI have just received the final decision from the FOS. I have taken it as far as I can. I have had my fees reduced from £800 + vat a year to £175 + vat a year for my SIPP holding with Hartley Pensions. I WOULD URGE ANYONE WITH A SIPP POLICY THAT IS TIED IN WITH A STOREFIRST LOCKER TO CONTACT THE FINANCIAL SERVICES OMBUDSMAN AND COMPLAIN ABOUT THE ANNUAL FEES BEING CHARGED IN REGARDS THIS TYPE OF POLICY, DO IT NOW. I was never going to win the war but I've hurt them In regards there ability to take their huge fees at will. Good luck.
ReplyDeleteThanks. Ongoing nightmare with these idiots around storepods. Put in a complaint to them. No doubt won’t move but then will take up with FOS
DeleteBB rejected complaint about unfair fees so will contact FOS to escalate, hopefully I can get them reduced too
ReplyDeleteMy husband was scammed by this, he didn't put his pension but a cash lump sum and now he's just received a debt letter for the last 10 years worth of business rates to pay Blackburn Council?? I'm scared what's next
ReplyDeleteI realise there hasn't been a post for some time but I'm also a StoreFirst Investor through my pension. I've been approached by a company claiming to be FCA authorised, who claim to be able to sell my pods to an investment company based in Dubai. I have what looks like a formal offer but the catch seems to be they are requesting that I arrange a "Fiduciary Surety Bond" =2, 10% of the payment @ £6,700.00 to paid up front before the total amount is paid to me. Has anyone seen this ?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely a scam. These pond life work around the sorts of failures like Store First and pretend they can recover money but you first need to pay some fee. Nonsense, the fee will be paid and nothing else will happen. Except they may then come up with another fee or reason it hasn't happened because they now know you're an easy target.
DeleteStop all communications with them and accept there isn't money on offer sadly.
Yes, it's a scam. Anyone asking you money upfront in this context is a scam.
DeleteI took this to the FOS and got 43k back, it was a long battle.
ReplyDeleteI used Pension Claim Consulting Ltd - this is not a scam link, if you look at the trust reviews - timmy222 has left one - that is me.
Valid point but complaining to FOS is very different to a scam company offering to recover money for a few. You don't need to pay to go to the FOS
DeleteHas anyone had a proof of debt form from Gowling WLG? As I need help to fill in all relevant details?
ReplyDeleteI have. I can try and help, though am not an expert. Might be best to ask a solicitor or lawyer.
Delete