They took the white goods

[ExchangedCat]

We finally completed today (yay!) but some of the inventory items are missing.

Primarily we're annoyed about the white goods because we'd have brought our old ones with us if they hadn't said they were leaving them.

Their solicitor says they ticked 'included' in error, but my view is that it's a binding contract and if you say you're leaving working white goods then you flippin' well leave said working white goods? AIBU?

Anyone else have experience of this and what to do about it?

Well they've basically robbed you haven't they? Doesn't your solicitor have any advice?

What does your solicitor say?

Not beyond forwarding the sellers solicitors response. I've asked about options and waiting to hear back.

They claim the goods were very poor condition so not worth leaving. Which really isn't the point since they were clearly working at the point of exchange.

If they said they were leaving them then basically they’ve stolen from you so you need to get the solicitor to either get them returned or reimburse you for replacements.

They've not stolen them but it is probably a breach of contract. 'We ticked the box by mistake' doesn't cut it.

This is what solicitors are for.

This happened to us when we moved here . Seller said she would leave fridge freezer so we have ours away . She didn’t. After bit of legal haggling , she sent us a cheque to buy a new one .

You are the legal owner of those goods OP.

The police won't get involved because it's more complicated than someone walking into your house and robbing it but you will find it relatively easy to win a court case against them, if their solicitor is seriously suggesting that they ticked the box in error as a defence then the court case will last 5 seconds.

It's a really good opportunity to negotiate a price to replace the items, I would not accept them returning the goods that they removed so look for a financial settlement. I'd go on the John Lewis website and look how much it will cost to replace all items and say that they have 2 days to send that money before you call the police and launch a claim through the courts. There solicitor I am sure will encourage them to pay you off.

Alternatively ask your solicitor how to proceed.

Their solicitor says they ticked 'included' in error

Were they illiterate how on earth do you tick 'included' in error. Their solicitor sounds like a wet blanket I'm hoping your solicitor is more proactive.

I would also be furious in your situation and be expecting the solution to be they either return the white goods or compensate you financially so you can purchase new white goods + some extra for the inconvenience of being without the goods until they can be delivered!

Agreed. Your solicitor needs to pursue it as you either want the hoods that were in situ or financial reimbursement. We’re they integrated?

Thanks all; apparently they've taken them to the tip.

@SellmeyourMLMcrap good idea about pricing up replacements. I'll do that and send to solicitor.

They stole from you, simple as that.

Your solicitor is crap and needs to pursue them for financial compensation

well if its on the contract then they should have left them

They will need to reimburse you, it’s not okay to say it was just ticked in error

Thanks all; apparently they've taken them to the tip.

Of course they have

On a separate note if you order your new white goods offline don't forget to use a cashback site to get a little Christmas spending money back. It's the very least you deserve after dealing with such utter muppets.

Yes cant accept returned goods now as probably replaced with rubbish. Cash settlement.

Surely if they'd ticked 'included' in error, it was more hassle to take them to the tip.

Give your solicitor a firm kick up the bum to get you compensation to replace the goods. You might not get the full replacement cost (maybe wear and tear might come into it) but even a bit towards would be helpful and teach them a lesson.

@sheshootssheimplores thankfully they were standalone. We knew they were dated, but they were clean and working so no worse than the ones we left behind.

@OnlyFoolsnMothers until today solicitor has been very good so I'm giving her ther benefit of the doubt today since there's a few completions happening. I've been explicit that we expect reimbursement, just looking up prices for an amount.

Good thinking @SmileCheese

Thanks all; apparently they've taken them to the tip.

Bollocks. You'd be insane to list them with the property and then go to the trouble of dumping them. They've changed their mind and decided to keep them for now, instead of buying new.

Price up replacements and give them 24 hours to return the goods or you are buying new ones at their expense. They have no real leg to stand on so it may take some months but you will get (at least) a large proportion of your costs back. Don't go silly on prices and document everything (all communication in writing, photos if relevant).

I'm amazed your solicitor hasn't just threatened them into sorting it quickly, their solicitor will know they have buggered up.

No worries I figure it's always worth reminding people especially when making large purchases and it will probably make you feel a little bit better.

I would however be holding out for the full price to compensate for the items. There's no way you should have to fork out any money as if they hadn't said they were leaving them you would have brought your own with you.

Just because the items were older doesn't mean you should get less you need to hold firm that you expect enough money to replace the items without you being out of pocket.

As others have said, and you have concluded, this is breach of contract and they need to reimburse you.

John Lewis are giving £125 gift card on some electricals at the moment.

The vendors are CFs and you deserve to get a few quid off them!

Absolutely correct OP! That’s not a mistake you can get away with.

Once when we moved we were leaving a tumble dryer. The removal company accidentally took it out of the garage without us seeing (busy inside the house). When we realize it was returned the same day despite it being a hassle as it was the right thing to do.

Price up replacements and give them 24 hours to return the goods or you are buying new ones at their expense.

You can ask for them to replace or financially compensate you, but you can't expect betterment. They're not liable for the cost of new replacements, only for the value of the ones that should have been left. That might be very little.