Lawrence Chard’s questionable business “ethics” have elicited much negative comment on the independent consumer-focussed website, Moneysupermarket.com.
Here are the comments, as they were posted up for all to see. You can find the original comments on moneysupermarket.com by clicking here.
Mon, Aug 20 2007, 9:51 PM
By KAC
Chard & Tax Free Gold
Has anyone had any problems with these companies? (same company, different trading names). They sell Gold coins, mainly for investment - not sure if the name means there is some kind of VAT avoidance possible?
I came across them as I am a coin collector, and had started a collection of the £1 Bridge coins, in Gold proof quality.
One of the coins was unavailable through the usual sources, The Royal Mint, Westminster coins etc.
Chard were advertising the coin I wanted and their web site stated that the coin came with the signed authenticity document from The Royal Mint (all these coins were issued with a certificate).
I rang to check this fact, was told "yes" and I sent off my cheque, receiving a coin with no certificate!
I rang and got an acknowledgement that I should have the certificate, but then they rang me back and said that the director wanted an extra £20. No way!
In the meantime they altered their web site, but I have print outs of the original.
This has gone on almost a year. They ignored my letter, their trade organisation BNTA have investigated and asked Lawrence Chard to supply me a certificate and a box free of charge.
He has ignored that. I have had help from Consumer Direct.
He has ignored my reordered letter giving him 14 days to supply the certificate.
So it looks like I will have to go to the small claims court. As the company is in Blackpool he probably won't turn up, so I will have to instruct bailiffs to go to his premises etc etc.
Apparently I can use my local small claims court as the transaction took place on my computer screen.
What a conceited little man. All I want is something he advertised, he must have, but he won't give it to me.
I believe that a number of people had fallen foul of his e-bay dealings, where he has an online shop.
Although a retailer can refuse to sell something advertised at a certain price on the Internet, I think the law says that if he goes on to take the money and supply the goods, they have to be as described and at that price.
Could do without the hassle, and nearly gave up a few times, but I really want to cause this guy as much trouble as he has caused me.
His shop is on Lytham Road in Blackpool. I am going there soon.... wonder if standing outside with leaflets will do any good?
Tue, Feb 23 2010, 6:13 PM
By chocko10
Re: Chard & Tax Free Gold
I would avoid using Chard. I recently sold my entire gold coin and gold bar collection to them. The amount in question was in the £10's of thousands.
They promised to pay me over two days, but I didn't receive full funds for a week.
It was an extremely worrying transaction, not assisted by their salesperson admitting to me on the phone that "we haven’t got the cash to pay you".
In the end, they did pay, but I would never deal with them again.
Unprofessional and untrustworthy.
Tue, Aug 24 2010, 10:16 AM
By Citizen of Dulwich
Re: Chard & Tax Free Gold
Ditto for me in August 2010.
I thought Chard were a leading 'safe' company - not any more.
They clearly advertise goods for sale that not only do they not have but have no prospect of obtaining for SIX MONTHS!
They claim exemption from distance selling rules but I didn't test this.
I was refused a refund and elected to buy other objects instead rather than lose my money altogether (potentially).
The exemption from distance selling is for prices that fluctuate with markets and Chard has elected to extend this to include such items that they don't even have as a means to 'lock' you into a trade with them on beneficial terms to themselves.
If you read the literally hundreds of pages on his website you will gather, as I now have, that Chard believes that he has a divine right and leads the fight against the darkness.
A very worrying personality.
I just wish that I had read some of this before contacting him.
My very, very strong advice is - get absolute delivery detail before using him or even better still DON'T!
Tue, Aug 24 2010, 10:42 AM
By Citizen of Dulwich
Re: Chard & Tax Free Gold
An addendum to my post, Chard has now altered his website to actually state that there will be a six month delay in the supply of Sovereigns.
This is in direct response to my very serious complaint to him about his underhand and questionable methods.
He acknowledged to me in writing that his site needed clarification but still refuses to accept that he was wrong.
A thoroughly unwholesome experience with this man and his company that I will never use again.
Wed, Aug 25 2010, 12:29 PM
By eyeglass
Re: Chard & Tax Free Gold
I also wish I had joined this site before I did business with CHARD.
It would seem we have had an identical experience with this company.
I paid £9450.00 pounds for 50 sovereigns and received a receipt from a company called SAGEPAY ON THE 27 JULY 2010 and as you have found out silence was the order of the day.
I also rang chards on Friday 6th July and asked when I could expect my order and was informed by the operator that they did not have any sovereigns and it could be six months before they had.
I too asked the question ‘Surely it’s against the law to ask for money for something you do not have.’
I have emailed them, no answer yet.
I will let you know the outcome of this transaction and would be grateful if you would do the same.
Caveat Emptor! Let the Buyer Beware!
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