door to door fish Locked

[Paul's Fisheries]

Dear sparjones,

My post was in no way an insinuation of anything. It was simply to offer specific details about my company, Paul’s Fisheries, to hopefully alleviate people’s concerns since all of the inaccurate posts (specifically about Paul’s Fisheries) have appeared on this website.

However, you stated that you purchased from us three weeks ago, and I can guarantee 100% that we were not even in South London three weeks ago, and have not delivered there since mid-December. Irrespective of what the salesman told you, or what the labels say, it was not Paul’s Fisheries who served you that day.

I intend to email you directly about this, as I am very concerned that the labels state my company’s details. I would be grateful if you could provide me in return with some information about your purchase i.e. label details, date etc. as if someone else is impersonating Paul’s Fisheries that would be a matter for the police. Once I have the date of purchase from you I can email specifics to you that will prove without a doubt that Paul’s Fisheries was not delivering in your area then.

I have stated that we are regularly inspected by the local trading standards, and this was confirmed by Inspector Bannister of the Lavender Hill Police Station in Wandsworth in December 2014. We are a small family business and these allegations, which are entirely false, could potentially be very damaging. I understand that people have real concerns about this ongoing issue, but Paul’s Fisheries sells quality fish, and DOES NOT insist on bulk purchasing. We support any other legitimate business who has the same values as us. I am more than willing to answer anyone’s questions should they need any further information.

[swstepford]

Last week I called Citizens Advice as the scam fisheries people were knocking on the door in our neighbourhood. My sister was conned by them years ago and they still IMPLY they are from the legitimate Paul's Fisheries who I have been using now for 8+years since Paul first knocked on my door! I also support my local merchants and delis but love having my freezer full of fish for when needed and it IS good quality. The reason I know last week's visitors were not legit is firstly since my first purchase Paul contacts me in advance to let me know he is coming and ask if I want to order anything (i.e. he doesn't just come to my door after the first intro) and I will continue to be a loyal customer AND defend his business from the con artists which is why I hopped on to post this.

[Paul's Fisheries]

Thank you swstepford for your post regarding Paul’s Fisheries. It is much appreciated when customers take the time to try and offer some genuine balance to what feels like a barrage of false statements.

We would ask anyone who has posted on here, who genuinely believes that their substandard products have been purchase from Paul’s Fisheries, to contact us directly with your queries or concerns.

We ensure that we are completely transparent in every way, and our company details are easily accessed by searching for us online. Our customers are also given our contact details at point of sale. However, it would seem that our transparency also allows our company name to be the one that is used when there is blame to be attached.

I would ask anyone who feels they have been taken advantage of, to take the time to ascertain whether it was genuinely Paul’s Fisheries who actually called at your home before posting something that can be potentially very damaging to our business – a business that we have worked hard to build up over nearly 20 years.

There have been lots of negative opinions and stories posted about our company, and yet still no one has contacted us directly (even in writing) to discuss their individual concerns. We would very much welcome this, as we categorically state that we do not behave in the manner that has been described on this website. Again, we would like to clarify that we do not insist on bulk buying and lots of our customers buy single packs.

We understand that there are lots of people who would prefer to support their local fishmongers, and of course that is their choice, and we have the utmost respect for any other genuine business owner. However, we would ask you to bear in mind that we ourselves are just a small family business who are also trying to earn an honest living.

We would encourage everyone to read our first post on page 9 of this thread, and contact us with any questions they have. Thank you.

[sueblues]

What i've had to read on this site is absolutely nonsense and nothing but rubbish as i've been buying fresh fish from Paul's fisheries for over 5 years.
The range available is tremendous ,it’s has the correct labelling giving the source of the fish,the flavour ,the courteous and reliable service means that
we have no hesitation in defending Paul’s Fisheries on the ruthless site.
They're always helpful in selecting the fish which suits my pallet,there has never been any pressure to purchase in bulk even though i do purchase 10 packets which last me the durartion of 12 weeks until his next visit but this is entirely optional.
Also Paul and his a company always goes out of their way to ensure you are getting a satisfactory deal.
Unfourtunantly in all business they're are those who don't play by the rules as i was tricked by the tricksters who were mentoined on page 9 by bobbruce.
They insisted that they were calling on behalf of Paul Fisheries and i bought my REGULER PACK but 2 weeks after they're visit Paul knocked on the door
and we realised i had been CONNED.
I urge the community to relate back to what NANCYGRACE stated "What one may write and others read doesn't necessarily mean it's the truth" as this forum is looking rather sinister towards genuine tradesmen.
Despite what has been written about Pauls fisheries i will always remain to be loyal to him and i wish him and his company to flourish in the coming years.

[judgejury]

After being made aware of this blog concerning bogus tradesmen on our parish facebook i would like to enlighten your consciousness regarding Paul's Fisheries.
I live in blackeheath and many years ago i used to buy fresh fish off the Henderson brothers who traded under the name Henderson fisheries.
The brothers would travel down to london direct from the North East of England with fresh fish.
I must say that the fish was always good quality and reasonably priced but unfortunately the brothers departed due to a minor dispute.
It wasn't till later on that we discoverd that they had been involved in a fish scam targeting the elderly up and down the country by charging extortionate prices for poor quality fish.
Once the court case was made public,Paul Henderson continued with the business but under the name Paul's Fisheries and to this day he has continued to cold call door to door in my neighbourhood from time to time.
Unfortunately i can't bring myself to support a company or a person who has acted so horrific towards the elderly,so i stopped buying from him and supported another fresh fish man who also travels from the coast to London.
My advise to you is be very carful when dealing with this person as he can be a "smart arse" and easily pull the wool over your eyes with his northern charm & communication skills.

[GuyD73]

Mmmm, this thread just gets more and more intriguing by the day.

sueblues, I find it interesting that you join "the ruthless site" at 7.46 on the 9th March and make your first comment 3 minutes later - and it's not a ruthless site btw, it's an invaluable local resource where neighbours can ask advice, make recommendations, promote events and causes and sell or donate stuff. I for one am grateful to the admin for the contribution it makes to our lovely neighbourhood.

I don't think you should be urging the community to "relate back to what NANCYGRACE stated "What one may write and others read doesn't necessarily mean it's the truth"". She made a series of (frankly unhinged) accusations against me and I notice hasn't responded in any way to my reply. Readers of this thread might also notice that "nancygrace" also makes her one and only contribution to this site on Friday Feb 26, again 3 minutes after registering. Fishy? (pardon the pun)

Does anyone know who nancygrace is? She must be fairly well known having lived in Southfields for 24 years (I've lived here for 3 years and know tonnes of people!). If you're reading this nancygrace, why the silence? And you sueblues, might we know who you are? or are you going to hide behind the anonymity of your username too? I am NOT going to make ANY accusations but does anyone else who's been reading this thread notice that both nancygrace and sueblues both have terrible spelling and grammar? one example - The fish is always superb quality and his manner towards me and my neighbors is nothing but gentemly like. I will let the intelligent (and literate) NVN readers draw their own conclusions on this one...

Just a thought for anyone who doesn't like the idea of being called on by door-to-door sellers (of fish or anything else). Perhaps put one of these notices on your front door or in your windows. I was given one a while back by a local chap driven to distraction by the number of people collecting for charity or trying to sell stuff on his doorstep. I look after my two very young daughters for much of the week and deeply resent people who are presumptuous enough to intrude on our privacy without permission. It's intrusive, rude, inconvenient and risks waking up my littl'un when I've just got them down for a nap, so people really shouldn't do it. (friends or neighbours popping in for a cuppa is fine btw but strangers trying to sell you something, grrr!). This laminated thing I've got has a Wandsworth council and Met police logo on it - I have no idea whether it is actually a criminal offence to "ignore this notice", but it might act as a bit of a deterrent.

Well done to everyone (legitimate) contributing to this thread, if there are genuine and decent traders from the north-east coming down then they ought to be able to grow their business through recommendation and word of mouth and deliver to people by appointment, rather than disturbing people in their homes, ripping off the vulnerable elderly or being abusive (as chronicled by nvn users here).

Wishing everyone a nice saturday evening (well done England rugby team, just!)

[Claudia77]

This is a common scam that has been going on in Wandsworth (and all over the UK) for at least 30 years (I'm a victim too). The fish is poor quality, comes prepacked and mislabelled, often in unrefrigerated vans (usually just around the corner). You are invited to buy from a list of available fish shown by the salesman. Once you make your selection (bulk buying for the freezer is encouraged) the salesman disappears, returning shortly with a number of clingfilm polystyrene packs on the bases of which your selection has been scribbled in pencil. Once you have been encouraged to quickly put them in the freezer you are then hit with the bill. To those householders who hate saying 'no', all you need to do ON THE DOORSTEP is: (1) ask for the price of each fish by weight or by pack AND (2) ask to see the fish actually in the van before you commit to buying anything. And in any case, wouldn't you rather support your local traders.......?

Thanks BrianP I didn't know about that. Won't be buying again.

[juliantenniscoach]

"And in any case, wouldn't you rather support your local traders.......?" says Claudia77.

Yes indeed.

[GuyD73]

Hello Punisher, just joined have you? Well, Welcome! Would you like to be open and honest and let us know who you are? Thought not..... I'm fairly well known in this community and I think almost everyone who might read this knows I am not and have never used any of the aliases you mention.
How am to interpret your statement "...expect there to be no repercussions". Well, that to me, sounds like a threat. I have two young children and will not put up with this, so if there is any repeat of this, I WILL get the police involved.
I am not going to make any further contributions to this thread because I think most sensible people can figure out what's going on and hopefully there is enough awareness of some of the disgusting behaviour of certain people that no-one will buy fish from a door-to-door seller ever again, so it's problem solved really.

[Mummy2b2212]

Guy I think you sound lovely (and quite rightly protective of your family after a horrible message). Your business sounds great and you obviously are heavily involved in the local community. I popped into the Draft House this afternoon but must have missed you, I was hoping to find out a bit more about Faircatch. I'm a bit of a fish novice so heads on things daunt me (!) but I'm keen to give it a go.

What's the best way to get in touch for a chat and you can calm my fears!

[GuyD73]

Hi Mummy2b2212,

Thanks for your kind post, feel free to call any time 07810 753 815.

Don't worry, prior to embarking on Faircatch, I'd never filleted a fish and found the whole idea pretty daunting too. However, decided it wasn't beyond me to learn, watched a few youtube videos, had a go, got better each time and realised it's not as hard as one might think! I think it's getting over the "ick" factor for many people.

Brill.JPG (1.7 MiB) Viewed 4864 times

Much of our fish doesn't need much prep , a nice brill like this for example just needs the fins trimming (with scissors), seasoning, wrapping in some foil and bunging on a baking tray.

Look forward to chatting,

Guy

[Mummy2b2212]

eeek!

It's going to be my mid year resolution to get over myself and cook a fish with a head!

Will ring next week!

[juliantenniscoach]

I wonder if this thread has had its day and Annabel should lock it and refer it to the police? The post from our charmingly named latest member, "Punisher", was totally unhinged and threatening.

It's a shame that Guy, as a local bloke trying to run an ethical business has to put up with these bully mafia types that seem to be prevalent in the fish trade. Scary.

SECONDED.

[Annabel (admin)]

Good point Julian and MM.

Thanks for pointing it out.

We'd deleted a number of posts on this thread and had let it run because there is a genuine business run by Paul and we wanted to allow that side to be told but it's getting weirder and weirder.

I'll lock now and speak to Paul and see if there is a different way of approaching this.

Thanks for using NVN everyone