Wtf just happened??

[Pissedoffisanunderstatement]

Moving from Scotland to England today (7 hour drive). Have spent the last week packing up the flat, finalising the sale, cleaning for the new owners etc. We hired a removal company who came over to do a survey on how much stuff we had - seemed really nice and professional. We were happy with their quote and they came round once more to deliver boxes for us to use.

So today is move day. They were 2 hours late to start with which completely messed up our plans but we let that go as at this point we really needed to get on with things (we have an 18 month and 6 week old to deal with too so you can imagine the stress). Anyway they came in, took our sofa to the van and then called us (from the van) saying because they were so late they were going to pick up two colleagues who they had arranged to help out to make things quicker. I was hesitant but he said it would take 15 minutes max. Anyway they never came back and the sofa had been dumped by the front door.

So I’m now sat here on the floor in a flat completed packed away in boxes with two babies wondering what the hell to do next? We managed to get another removal company to agree to pick our stuff up tomorrow although can’t deliver until next week but we’ll take that as the flat is no longer ours after tomorrow. This means we have to stay here tonight with no beds for any of us as we’ve taken them all apart. We had a hotel booked halfway down the m6 which we won’t be using so we lose out on that and have also paid the removal guy £200 deposit.

I guess what I want to know is ways in this sotuation? I know it’s not aibu but I’m desperate here! Can we take action against them? Can we get our £200 back? Money reimbursed for the hotel? I’m so angry that someone could do this - if they came and thought the job was too big they could have at least told us. Would be really grateful for some helpful advice right now

[dementedma]

post on scotsnet naming the company so that nobody else gets scammed by them

[flowergrrl77]

I hope you’re all settled in your new home now, and that you’ve had that deposit back xx

[SealSong]

Oh goodness OP, what a nightmare. I do hope you finally got moved in to your new place ok.
What a bunch of bastards those movers were. I hope karma comes back to bite them in the bum.

[WindowWiper]

Oh you poor thing - you’re getting all your bad luck in one go.
Hope you’re in your new home by now and feeling a bit better.

And a big fat Christmas pox on the scamming removal shysters!

[honeyroar]

I wouldn't have any more contact with them, just work out how much you're out of pocket - including hotel, extra solicitor work contacting buyers, storage etc. and leave them to sweat.

I hope youre all feeling better and settled in your new home very soon. I'm amazed at your calmness!

[manicmij]

Write to company telling them you want money back plus recompense for kids of hotel deposit plus compensation. State you expect action within 1 week failing which you will claim via small claim court. If no response definitely go through court. May also be worthwhile reporting to police as may be known for this despicable behavior.

[Dontburstmybubble]

You poor things. I really hope you get this sorted and get the money and proper apology owed to you. Fingers crossed therest of you have not got the sick bug but too. I hope you are happy when settled into your new home

[Smudge100]

There will probably be some sort of review facility on local websites where you can relate your experience. I did this recently when i was successful in a claim for professional negligence against my former solicitors, basically went in all the websites where they were listed with a facility for leaving a review and related my experience because i didn’t want other people to have my experience. It’s an appalling way to behave, especially to a family with small children.

[Jux]

Oh poor you! I do hope the sickness runs its course quickly, and you are able to setle o your new lives soon.

Sue the buggery out of those cheating bums!

[AuroraNinjaMama]

*hope!!

[AuroraNinjaMama]

no further advice than that which has already been said. I how you all feel better soon

[Namethecat]

We had a fairly substantial move about 8 years ago (300+ miles ) and from memory that was £17000 at least. We made sure the removal company was a member of which ever build they are a member of and had insurance if anything went wrong as you can claim. I'm sure if your removal company are the same you shouldn't have a problem getting any monies back. I know that doesn't get you out of trouble for now but sending you good luck for the rest of the move.

[Pissedoffisanunderstatement]

Thanks for being so supportive everyone. We will definitely take legal action against this guy still no sign of a deposit.

The new movers managed to get to us a little late but the new owner was understanding. Currently in a travel lodge on the a1. We would have tried to go the whole way but I’ve got my sons stomach bug from yesterday (he’s fine today) which has been hell! Been lying on the floor of my empty flat all day craving a bed and then spent the car journey puking into plastic bags. My husband is now starting to feel sick so not ideal....but we’re getting there! Will definitely find this thread and update the outcome when all is done and dusted

[Collaborate]

OP - I'm a solicitor.

You can sue the firm (check whether you were doing business with a sole trader, partnership, LLP or limited company) for the difference between what you would have paid had he done the job for the agreed price, and what you eventually had to pay (so, if the new people cost more the amount by which they were more, the hotel, meals and other costs). Sounds to me like they had a more lucrative job on.

[Jux]

Dear Lieing Delivery ConMan, thank you for your email. It is interesting to see that you are on such a big job that you cannot use online banking, and on a day where you were booked to be driving our things to England. Please reimburse our deposit immediate, and £xxx for extra expenses you have forced us into, forthwith, or we shall be taking legal action to recover it. Thank you.

[MyOtherProfile]

How awful. I've never heard of a removal company doing this before.

[ohfortuna]

I wouldn't tell them I was making a claim
I would continue to humour them.... see if they can shoot themselves in the other foot too

[ohfortuna]

Delivery guy is very dim, he thinks telling you that they've been on a job and haven't had lunch will convince you that they are actually hard-working and dedicated professionals

[RhiannonOHara]

I agree with sending him this:
Thank you for confirming in writing that you were on another big job today, despite being booked to drive our belongings to England, that is very useful to know. We will be pursuing a small claims settlement against you for costs incurred by your lack of timely cancellation and tricking us into believing you were leaving to get extra staff. If you do repay the deposit, this will just be added to the claim. No need to reply any further, you will be hearing from our solicitor in due course".

He's downright stupid as well as lacking in ethics and in any sense of customer relations.

[MumW]

Just got an email from arsehole delivery guy. He said sorry he’s not had a chance to transfer the deposit yet but they’ve been on a job all day and still aren’t back - didn’t even get lunch bless them. Pretty interesting he has a big job when he was booked to drive our stuff to England today.....
He's just shot himself in the foot.
In your situation, my plan would be to insist on your deposit by the end of the day. If you don't get it then report to police if you haven't already done so. If you get it back then submit a request for 2 x hotels plus any other out of pocket expenses, which I'm sure they are unlikely to accept. Take them to the small claims court (tip of local reporter) then name and shame whererever possible.

Really hope you get sorted soon and that your toddler is over his bug.

[LadyB49]

Small Claims fee isn't too much. Small Claims can issue a court order that they owe you money. However, Small Claims Court does not have the power to enforce the Order if they ignore the Order.
If they don't pay up you then have to go to The Enforcement of Judgements Office. Their fees can add up. This is added to what the company owe you. All well and good as long as they do eventually pay up.
I have known cases where the company is going bad and no payment was ever made. A Charge is then made against the company that they owe the debt but the Plaintiff is left still out of pocket and at a higher sum If they still don't pay because of the Enforcement fees. Just making you aware. Good luck.

[mogulfield]

That apology is bloody weak, who does he think he is?! Angry on your behalf Op.
We’ve used movers many times (armed forces), and they always always come and scope the job and how many people they’ll need before hand. They don’t pitch up on the day and just bugger off if it’s too big!! Leaving a poor family with 2 little ones no where to sleep! Raging for you!
You’ve had good advice on here; get your money, name and shame. If his apology had been even slightly more sincere that could have helped but telling you they had another job (the day they were moving you), and he didn’t even get his fucking lunch?!!!!! Unbelievable.

[GirlDownUnder]

Here's a bottle of for when you stop!

Hope things get better soon.

[KitKat1985]

Blimey OP. What a bloody awful few days you are having. What an arsehole your original delivery driver is.

[mathanxiety]

You are not going to get a penny from the first company unless you make good on your small claims threat.

When you go to court, you should ask them to pay back your motel money too.

In the very unlikely event of them actually paying, don't take a business or personal cheque from them. It has to be a cashier's check or cash.