20 May 2011 10:01 PM:

I have just checked and I had a private message from your address asking for the link? Technology eh? I'm glad you got everything straight. Perhaps as I suggest you could share your success with others. I can only speak from experience and I have spoken to probably near on 200 people that have bought in Spain. And in my experience the main reason without exception, has been handing over cash in lieu of discounts. And some of these people were business owners like myself. So called clever people.

What I can say, again, is that buying abroad is not like buying in the UK. We need to pack our brains and use what we have to hand.

I will also add though that as far as I can see, who wouldn't want to live in Spain? I would encourage all those that ask me to buy their little slice of heaven. But I would advise them to use the same caution and same legal advice as they would seek in the UK.

Thread: Petition: An Open Letter to David Lidington, Minister for Europe

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20 May 2011 3:34 PM:

Good stitch,

9 years is some time. Did you get a bank guarantee? Did you transfer money to the builder or the bank or was it cash? There are some cases now that have been won where a transfer to a special or normal account has been made. If it's cash then it's that much more difficult. It's the banks that are proving to be the win here. Has your lawyer tried everything.

Thread: Petition: An Open Letter to David Lidington, Minister for Europe

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20 May 2011 2:50 PM:

Dear poppyseed.

Did you not ask me to send you the link? I thought you sent me a private message to send it to you?

In my business there are many associates that have bought in Spain. Many of them took advantage of the cash discounts. They are still in the proverbial some 5 years later. Some of these are good friends so it's very close to home. Like anything the more you know the more you learn and the closer to solutions you get. I have my houses in Spain and all mine are legal and owned. Because I was very careful not to be attracted by the dark side! I have helped several friends to get their money back because I speak Spanish and have built up some useful contacts they they have dealt with. I gain nothing from it and sometimes I get involved and wish I hadn't.

But it drives me mad that people moan about there losses when they are to blame. Handing over cash is not clever and the sooner people stop moaning the better. I love Spain and I have a healthy respect for their justice system. But do you really think that the Spanish government will get you out of your own mess? In the UK if you handed over money to a builder and he went bust would your write to our government and ask for them to help with your loss? I can imagine that you wouldn't even get a reply.

All I have done is to pass on a link which is just as Ruth has done. Ruth wants you all to sign a petition. Great. I hope everyone signs and I hope that you get something from it. I can't see how anything will come of it but I'm not a lawyer. My links area ones that could help people that have given up with a real chance of seeing something. But you decide. It's not my money.

What I find strange is your tone of reply. If you feel you don't want to read the link or follow it through, then don't. How can it be a con? When you bought poppyseed, what did you do to secure your deposits and to make sure the contracts were fair? Perhaps your experience on how to secure things would be more useful to those buying in the future? You could be an example to all those about to buy. Wouldntd that be worth something. Your experience could be productive and that could help, because I don't think you will find help from the government.

Now I have found the link to the article I will post it. Read it at your peril. It might actually help

Thread: Petition: An Open Letter to David Lidington, Minister for Europe

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18 May 2011 7:17 PM:

Dear ads,

I like many others understand what point it is that you are, like Ruth, trying to make. However you seem to be railing against the system that isn't running the way you would like, but is in fact in place and enforced by the Spanish government. Donyou consider our legal system to be transparent? Does our legal system compensate in cases of bankruptcy? All legal systems seem to be unfair if we are caught on the wrong side ifs the law. What we need to do is to mitigate.

Why do we want to buy in Spain? Because it's beautiful, exotic in many ways, warm and offers a lifestyle we simply don't have here in the UK. Why would we ask people not to go? We wouldn't. Why did you and Ruth buy? Was it to change the legal system in Spain? Was it to fight for human rights? I would guess it's because you wanted a life or a holiday life that you can't attain at home. And there is nothing wrong with that. What has soured the taste of paella for many is the horror of losing money either by their fault or by default. It's very English to blame. It's the first thing that as a nation we do. We are terrible at accepting that our actions could possibly be the cause of the result. I'm not suggesting that every English man that is caught in this mess was lured by the offer of handing over cash to receive a discount. Some purchasers would have been too trusting, too blind, too gullible.....the list goes on. Some will also have been cheated by builders and banks and in some cases
, lawyers. Blaming the Spanish law will return nothing. Forget the paella, the only result will be washing the pots. How often even in the UK do you find that a petition of even tens of thousands resultsnin any change of law?

I am simply suggesting that there are indeed more productive ways for some people to get back their money. I know of these people that that thought they had lost everything but in fact have now got everything back. And some of these people have since bought again! That is a result!

I applaud the huge effort that Ruth is making. It's great that she has such support from so many people. But wouldn't it be better if some of these people that signed the petition, could actually get what they want? Money. When you are sat on your terrace enjoying your paella and a San Miguel, the finca yours and legal and paid for, will you really be thinking about Spanish law and human rights? Or will you be enjoying Spain and everything that it represents?

It's true that the UK is Spain's biggest Market and that Spain does in many ways rely on our tourism for it's revenue. Would I not buy in Spain because some people have lost money buying in Spain? Would it stop me visiting Spain? No. It would make me cover every angle. If I was buying again in Spain I would make my lawyer my best friend ever. She or he would be at my daughters christening if it meant I could secure my purchase. And right behind the lawyer would be the bank manager. You can buy safe in Spain.

What I am suggesting in brief is that there are ways, real ways, that those that have bought off plan, bought from bankrupt builders etc can get their money back. There are real people out there as proof. All I ask is that people in this situation don't give up. Rail against the system all you like, just get your money back.

You can do it.

Thread: Petition: An Open Letter to David Lidington, Minister for Europe

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18 May 2011 4:31 PM:

could I ask one question of your bloggers.

are there many of your fellow bloggers and petition signers that have 'lost' their money and that have bank guarantees? or are there bloggers that have sent funds via transfers to banks and that havent got bank guanatees? there really is a way that people can get there money back. i have friends and people i have met on other bloggs that have happily been re united with their dosh.

you dont need to march on Spain to see results!

would you like me to send the links to anyone?

 

Thread: Petition: An Open Letter to David Lidington, Minister for Europe

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