Businessman left customers furious after they paid thousands, then one got on a plane to confront him

Companies run by Sean Reilly have left a trail of angry customers, as investigations editor

- Conor Gogarty reports

Merel Van Emmerik at the Royal Welsh Show.

SEAN Reilly has a track record of seeing five companies go under with debts totalling more than £1.6m. Now he has two new businesses with some very unhappy customers.

The 51-year-old, from Neath Port Talbot, runs two suppliers of tree-cutting machinery one called Arbforest, the other Equipment & Machinery Supply.

The Post has spoken to customers who ordered thousands of pounds' worth of equipment that did not arrive.

One bitter dispute with an Australian buyer culminated in a member of their family travelling to this year's Royal Welsh Show, where Mr Reilly was hosting an exhibition, and leaving with a machine he had on display.

Customers have described Mr Reilly as more communicative when securing payment for products than when arranging their delivery. Reasons he has given for delays range from a delivery driver being hospitalised to "everything breaking down".

One farmer in North Wales waited months for a £24,000 order before his finance company agreed to refund his payments.

Other customers are yet to get their money back as they have refused to sign or comply with the firm's nondisclosure agreements (NDAs).

Arbforest's solicitor insisted the firm had acted "professionally, transparently, and in line with industry standards".

One of its wood-shredding machines had more than 80 "satisfied" buyers, said the lawyer, who described the firm as "proud of its reputation and track record in supplying forestry machinery".

In June the Australian client, a tree services company called Agile Arbor, saw Facebook posts from Mr Reilly promoting a Dragonbite tree shear. The firm spent £13,450 on the product including shipping and preparation for customs requirements.