So I started work for a company called MBS IT – Based at Crewe Alexandra Stadium. I was doing them a favour as the Technical Director was about to have some time off due to the birth of his child.
Ian Carroll – A Director contacted me and asked me if I would take the job for a year. To provide cover for the TD.
The role was varied, but included working as a small MSP, as well as a workshop repairing items such as PC’s, Servers, iPads, Laptops, and iPhones.
The company were lacking in a few areas, such as a workable knowledge base, access to customer information when off site etc. I introduced new systems which they all accepted made a huge difference to the business.
I was involved in a few customer installations, including Crewe Alexandra Football Club. MBS are their IT provider but had not provided adequate WiFi and Network coverage to allow the club to function correctly on their first Home Match, with the WiFi being of significant issues that the club were unable to process match day tickets.
I quickly identified the serious shortcomings of the WiFi infrastructure and together with the directors of MBS & CAFC, designed a new solution. The solution was installed, traffic management was put into place and the club were able to function correctly.
This was not the only occasion where MBS had not provided an adequate solution to their customers, often inflating the prices to gain maximum revenue.
The company also avoided warranties with their customers. Often only providing a 30 day warranty on repairs. This was often due to the fact they did not install new parts, which would obviously come with a 12 month warranty, but would source used parts from EBAY.
They seriously overcharged customers for repairs, I highlighted the charges they make for replacing SSD’s. An example was £200 for a 500GB SSD, the company bought them from Amazon for around £50.
The company also over stated the relationship with Apple, often misleading customers into believing that the company was somehow authorised to carry out apple repairs. they were NOT!
After a few months I was asked if I would consider becoming the manager of their other business, Nantwich PC Centre, both are directed by the exact same directors of MBS.
I was told that I would be asked to try and recover the business as it had been impacted by Covid and that the current manager had handed in his notice. I was told that it would be a period of 6 months after which they would look at the books, and if everything was good, they would renew the lease and give me profit sharing. I was told that my job at MBS was still safe if they closed NPCC. I was also tasked with assisting MBS staff, and customers whilst employed at NPCC. The two businesses are so close, they could literally be the same business. The E-Mail address are on the same management system, we used the same ticketing system, not copies, but the EXACT same system.
When I took over, there was no toilet at the property, they knew about this but joked it was OK to walk into town. They did say they would work with the building management to provide a toilet. They never did. We had to close the shop and walk into the town, over 100m, just to use the loo. There was also no running hot water, the water boiler they had broke down, it was reported but never fixed. The cold water came out of the tap so slowly, it was unusable. I purchased bottle water.
The first month, the takings were around £3,500, at the end of September they were close to £10,000. One of the Directors, Shona, even put a post on the shops Facebook page about how well I had done, and turned the business around and made it profitable. A little while into my roll, Ian had a coronary incident which meant that he had to step away from the business. I continued in my role and took over more of the running of the shop.
The two directors went on holiday in August, when they returned they looked at the books, and thanked me with making such a big difference, even giving me a bonus of £100.
In October, I went out with Ian, to aid him in his recovery, we went to an Armed Forces vehicle show. Then off for some lunch. During that lunch, Ian thanked me personally for all the hard work that I had done. Stating they were looking at increasing my salary, asking me if I was happy in the job. I said yes, I had been looking at other jobs, but this was handy.
Ian asked me if there was anything he could do, i just had to ask.
Later that month one of our cats was poorly. We took her to the vets and they said she needed surgery, it would cost close to £500. I did not have that much money spare as we had used all our savings while I was on the low salary at MBS/NPCC. I approached Ian, I asked if the company could loan me the money and I would repay it each month from my salary. He said yes and sent over the money on the Tuesday. By Thursday, my cat had the surgery it needed.
On Friday, Ian asked that I pay back a little more this month, I knew it would be tight on the budget but agreed. On Sunday, I got a message from Shona, Ian’s wife saying she was not happy about the loan and wanted it all repaying immediately. I stated this would be extremely difficult, she responded with a message, “If the money is not repaid by 12pm on Monday, we will be having an entirely different conversation” This lead me to believe that my position was at risk.
I therefore raised the £500 and repaid in full.
Later that month I was told that some money was missing and that there were some accounting issues. Namely refunds.
I explained that the refunds were issued because IT equipment sold to customers at the shop had failed. Within 7 days so I made a full refund, as per consumer law. I also stated that any cash that I took from customers was also recorded on the cash sheet as well as put into the till. I also mentioned that the tills were ALWAYS up as far as I was concerned as some small jobs I did in the shop, were not recorded and the customer often paid a token amount. For things like setting up e-mail on a phone etc. This would take me minutes to do but Shona insisted these should ALL have been charged at £35. She said that over £1000 was missing. I was asked to show where this money was.
I could not show her where the money was, I also told her that other staff had used MY login to the ticketing/invoicing system to record sales, but had NOT entered the amounts on the Cash sheet.
I even showed CCTV proof of this.
Despite all my hard work, often working late and starting early, without asking for overtime, I was sacked for Gross Misconduct.
I firmly believe that the loan I took from Ian played a significant role in my dismissal, despite Shona claiming differently.
I did NOT steal any money, I worked DAMNED hard to turn the business around. Even using my OWN tools that I bought my self. I used my OWN IT equipment to train apprentice in alternative Operating Sytems.
When I left, there was a significant amount of my own equipment left on site. I asked for the equipment to be returned. It still has not been returned. I am also owed money for out of hours visits that was agreed I would be paid for before I did them.
The company has been dishonest with me all through the last few months. Even laughing at my e-mails asking for my possessions to be returned.
They state that they are NOT breaking the law about the toilet. However, Health & Safety at Work act clearly states that they MUST provide a toilet, and it shall be no further than 100M.
They state that is not the law.
The law can be viewed here: HSE Website
I have since spoken to the previous owner of the business, who is now actually working for the Health & Safety Executive, he states that they are indeed breaking the law.
They have claimed that Nantwich PC Centre is closed due to flood damage. They have posted that “Our other repair centre in Crewe is operating as normal and can assist with your IT requirements.” Despite Shona insisting that they are two completely separate businesses. They are in fact working out of MBS IT based at Crewe Alexandra Stadium.
I was warned that a CCTV of me “SHOUTING” at a member of staff was being sent to the police. I made a SAR for the video, as well as all electronic communications between myself and the directors of the company.
They have refuse the SAR. They claim they are unable to provide the CCTV as there is a third party in the video. This third party is my Wife, who seconds earlier had collected the box of equipment they returned to me. I told them “This is not all of the equipment I have asked for so I will continue with the invoice, and court action to retrieve the property” I did not shout, or raise my voice. Shona knows this, which is why she wont release the CCTV – because she has lied yet again.
They have lied to me, to customers, and to the police. By not providing the SAR, they are breaking the law. By continuing to hold onto my possessions they are guilty of THEFT.
Shona has acted like a petulant child through all of this, instead of being professional, allowing me access to retrieve my possessions, even accompanied.
Nantwich PC Centre – Companies House
MBS IT – Companies House
