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TONY HETHERINGTON: The courier, a missing phone…and a flock of flying pigs
Experience the mesmerizing and enigmatic tale of a courier service, a lost mobile phone, and an astonishing encounter with a gathering of flying pigs, as recounted by Tony Hetherington. As the revered investigator for Financial Mail on Sunday, Tony delves into the unexplored corners, unveiling hidden truths, and safeguarding the interests of those who have suffered financial setbacks. Read on to learn how to get in touch with Tony.
Recently, I dispatched a mobile phone to my cousin residing in Norfolk, utilizing the services of Evri, a renowned courier provider. To our dismay, two days later, my cousin received a distressing email from Evri, stating that the parcel had suffered irreparable damage and could not be delivered. Determined to resolve the matter, I promptly contacted Evri, requesting either the delivery of the damaged phone, still securely packaged by the manufacturer, or at the very least, a photograph of the plight it endured. However, to my astonishment, Evri failed to meet either of these requests. Instead, they sent me a claim form, demanding an image of the damaged parcel, which was precisely what I had been pursuing all along.
Your decision to demand evidence, such as a photograph illustrating the damaged state of the phone, or even its return, valued at £175, was absolutely justified. However, Evri’s response was far from satisfactory. They simply stated, “The contents of your parcel have been damaged to an extent where we are unable to return it to you. The parcels go through several handling and transportation processes, and on rare occasions this may happen.” This evasive reply left me dissatisfied. How could Evri claim that my parcel and its contents were damaged beyond repair if they couldn’t even locate it in the first place? At this point, I couldn’t resist intervening and contacted Tony Hetherington for his expert assistance. Together, we sought more substantial answers from Evri.
The company, which had previously operated under the name Hermes, underwent a rebranding due to mounting customer complaints. In response to our pressing inquiries, they finally acknowledged their shortcomings and expressed their apologies for inconveniencing you. They also emphasized that Evri provides guidance on packaging and financial cover for customers sending high-value items. Although this seemed reasonable, it inadvertently implied that there was a flaw in your packaging.
Sensing an opportunity to uncover the truth, I relentlessly pursued Evri for further details. I bombarded them with questions: How long do you retain items and data? Is there a time limit for conducting an investigation? And most importantly, could they finally provide a photograph showcasing the phone’s irreparable damage? Eventually, Evri confessed that they were unable to provide a photograph since the damaged packaging had caused the contents to become dislodged and ultimately lost. Astonishingly, the phone hadn’t been damaged beyond repair at all; it had simply vanished into thin air. This bewildering explanation led me to gaze out the window, half-expecting to witness the surreal sight of flying pigs.
Despite Evri’s insistence that you had sent the phone at your own risk, they decided to offer you £175 as a well-intentioned gesture of goodwill. Admirably, you chose to donate this sum to a charity dedicated to caring for seriously ill children, bringing them much-needed respite and end-of-life support. Congratulations on your noble decision.
If you believe you have fallen victim to financial wrongdoing, don’t hesitate to reach out to Tony Hetherington. You can send your concerns by mail to Financial Mail at 9 Derry Street, London W8 5HY, or via email at [email protected]. Please keep in mind that due to the high volume of inquiries, personal replies may not be possible. Kindly provide copies of the original documents, as they cannot be returned.
We’re watching you
Like the third installment of a lackluster zombie movie franchise, Winebuyers has miraculously risen from the dead. But let us clarify, it is only the resurrection of its website. The two defunct companies, leaving suppliers and customers in considerable financial distress, are beyond resuscitation.
Back in June, I warned readers not to spend a penny on Winebuyers as it teetered on the brink of collapse. The company faced court orders for outstanding debts, leaving those who had advanced payments for cases of wine empty-handed. This was a repeat performance of Winebuyers’ earlier demise in 2021 when it left creditors high and dry, owing over £1.5 million, in addition to the half a million pounds it had raised from crowdfunding investors.
How is it even possible for such a travesty to unfold? Well, first there was Winebuyers Limited, which collapsed in 2021. Then, the reincarnation of the brand, Winebuyers Group Limited, took over the website, which I duly cautioned against in June. Yet again, it met its demise in July. The mastermind behind both entities is none other than Ben Revell, a 34-year-old entrepreneur hailing from Harlow, Essex.
Since the collapse of Winebuyers Group, the administrators have endeavored to salvage the few remaining assets of the company. These assets, including the website and name, were put up for sale. Surprisingly, they received an offer from Ophidian Corporation, an offshore business based in the Seychelles, offering £100,000 in installments. However, the administrators declined this offer due to concerns regarding data protection regulations, as sharing customer records with a foreign company would breach these rules.
Enter Elysian Ventures Limited, a new British entity that now boasts ownership of the Winebuyers website and all associated elements. The intrigue intensifies when we discover that Elysian is, in fact, owned by Ophidian Corporation. And who ultimately controls Ophidian? None other than Ben Revell, the 34-year-old entrepreneur from Harlow, Essex! Astonishingly, the administrators justified this sale by arguing that it would preserve jobs, conveniently neglecting to mention that the sole remaining employee was none other than Ben Revell himself. Thus, the website continues to exist, blissfully highlighting past favorable media coverage while downplaying substantial outstanding debts and failed wine deliveries. Unsurprisingly, complaints have already started to pour in. Beware of this zombie-like phenomenon.
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