A FAMILY has hit out at the way a Warrington car dealership operates after a woman was left £100 out of pocket for two weeks.

Audrey Owen asked her daughter Kellie's advice on where to buy a car and she recommended Hartwell's on Milner Street, Warrington, where she herself had bought a car.

Audrey's son-in-law Adam Chilton, aged 33, said: "She went to the garage, but they didn't have a car suitable for her in stock, but they said they had one in Birmingham.

"She had to pay a £100 holding deposit before they could bring the car up from Birmingham.

"She paid the cheque on the understanding that it would be returned if the car wasn't suitable."

But the car was sold before it was driven up from the Birmingham dealers. The same thing happened with a second car a few days later.

And when Audrey asked for her £100 deposit back, she was told that the cheque had been cashed.

"My mother-in-law first went to Hartwell's on May 21," said Adam. "She asked for her cheque back after the second car failed to arrive, only to be told that it had been cashed.

"Despite assurances from the general manager and staff members that the money would be reimbursed, she has still not received the cheque.

"You pay the extra money to buy from a major dealer like that and you don't mind doing it."

Hartwell's say that they posted the £100 back to Mrs Owen on Monday night.

Brian Rutherford, managing director, said: "There was a lack of communication between the customer and the salesman involved which resulted in a slight delay in getting the cheque to Mrs Owen.

"It is an unusual and unfortunate occurrence."