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Original poster

Help being taken to small claims court.

328 replies

FBIsMostWanted · 08/08/2024 20:16

I inherited a flat from my great aunt and have just sold it. The FTB that bought it wanted most of the furniture and as I already have a house and don’t need it I agreed to leave most things. Most of the furniture is 15 plus years old but my aunt had amazing taste and didn’t stint on quality.
One of the things left was a sofa bed, probably @10 years old and I’ve never used it.
The FTB are now requesting £1500 as the sofa bed mechanism doesn’t work so won’t pull out. They are pissed!
At first they text me wanting money and when I said that the sofa wasn’t integral and wasn’t paid for so I wasn’t going to buy them a new sofa they have gone to the small claims court.
I have spoken with my solicitor and he said that they never asked for the condition of the sofa and didn’t pay money for the sofa so they don’t have a leg to stand in but do they? Would the courts side with them?
I have no receipts for the furniture and didn’t even know about the bed not working.
Anyone experienced anything like this?

OP posts:
honeylulu · 15/02/2025 13:07

I'm delighted for you, what a victory for common sense and a smack on the nose for the cheeky fuckers!

Love the smug smile. Have some of that, you CFs!

madamweb · 15/02/2025 13:13

FBIsMostWanted · 15/02/2025 11:02

Hello Everyone, sorry to keep you all waiting. Well I was out celebrating last night! I WON!
The madness is over. The judge asked us both questions about the evidence we both provided but it was fairly clear from the get go where it was going.
She kept stating that I had told her everything was in perfect as new condition, which I most certainly did not. She kept bleating on about how she would not have offered as much for the flat as she had done if she knew she’d have to buy new sofas. The most ridiculous thing that was said was that she could have gazumped me just before exchange but she had MORALS so she didn’t.
It’s such a relief it’s over. I even managed a smug smile at her before I walked out.
Thank you all for your supports x

I am so pleased, and so sorry you were out through this!
It's a shame that people who are self represented can't recover anything for the stress and cost of someone bringing such a nonsensical claim

sexnotgenders · 15/02/2025 13:43

Absolutely great news! That's made my weekend that has. Well done OP!!! 🥳🥳🥳

Greytulips · 15/02/2025 13:47

Good news! CF lost. Made my day.

Hucklemuckle · 15/02/2025 13:51

Would love to be a fly on the wall in their place that night!

Herehavesomemoney · 15/02/2025 14:38

LarnaArm · 15/02/2025 11:30

What is the outcome regarding costs etc? Legal bills, expenses?

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To tell you the truth I had totally forgotten about that. The other party was the one that bought the case to court so really all my expenses were was my time, effort and after school club for my kids. I did bring the invoice for £29.40 for the club but the judge never mentioned costs and I got some free legal advice from my home insurance. So I’m out £29.40 and the other party are out £250 plus new sofa costs.
I took the day off as leave so I couldn’t claim that back.

Agapornis · 15/02/2025 15:57

Congratulations! May they forever be uncomfortable on any sofabed they buy.

HeadacheEarthquake · 15/02/2025 15:58

Hucklemuckle · 15/02/2025 13:51

Would love to be a fly on the wall in their place that night!

Same!!! McGutted.

OVienna · 15/02/2025 16:34

Herehavesomemoney · 15/02/2025 14:38

To tell you the truth I had totally forgotten about that. The other party was the one that bought the case to court so really all my expenses were was my time, effort and after school club for my kids. I did bring the invoice for £29.40 for the club but the judge never mentioned costs and I got some free legal advice from my home insurance. So I’m out £29.40 and the other party are out £250 plus new sofa costs.
I took the day off as leave so I couldn’t claim that back.

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I think this is a user name fail OP but so glad they didn't get any from you!

OlympicGoldfish · 15/02/2025 16:47

So pleased for you!

Original poster
FBIsMostWanted · 15/02/2025 16:49

OVienna · 15/02/2025 16:34

I think this is a user name fail OP but so glad they didn't get any from you!

Show quote history

Oops that’s a friends account. Don’t ask why she’s signed in on my phone.

OP posts:
Original poster
FBIsMostWanted · 15/02/2025 17:06

@LarnaArm
I’ll try again :-)…
To tell you the truth I had totally forgotten about that. The other party was the one that bought the case to court so really all my expenses were was my time, effort and after school club for my kids. I did bring the invoice for £29.40 for the club but the judge never mentioned costs and I got some free legal advice from my home insurance. So I’m out £29.40 and the other party are out £250 plus new sofa costs.
I took the day off as leave so I couldn’t claim that back.

OP posts:
PeachPumpkin · 15/02/2025 19:38

And every time they sit on their sofa, they will be reminded that they lost.

Original poster
FBIsMostWanted · 15/02/2025 21:08

@PeachPumpkin that made me all warm and fuzzy inside. How long does an average person keep a sofa?. I’m imagining years of seeing my smug smiling face!

OP posts:
Namechangetheyarewatching · 16/02/2025 09:06

Well done. 🥳 I can't believe they thoigh they had a chance

SofaSpuds · 16/02/2025 10:19

Namechangetheyarewatching · 16/02/2025 09:06

Well done. 🥳 I can't believe they thoigh they had a chance

I assume they got bad advice or they watched too much Suits and think everyone makes a deal before court.
So glad you didn't OP and went to court, they're bonkers!

Marseillaise · 16/02/2025 10:58

Phew. You obviously should have won, but just occasionally you get landed with a mad judge. Well done, OP.

PeachPumpkin · 16/02/2025 12:07

FBIsMostWanted · 15/02/2025 21:08

@PeachPumpkin that made me all warm and fuzzy inside. How long does an average person keep a sofa?. I’m imagining years of seeing my smug smiling face!

Varies of course, but it’s an expensive purchase so ten years or so? Maybe longer? Wondering if furniture places offer to get rid of old sofas. That will be a triggering question for them.

Izzynohopanda · 16/02/2025 12:22

Just looked it up, and google tells me that the average time for a sofa is 10-15 years.

PeachPumpkin · 16/02/2025 12:24

Let’s be honest, every time they see an advert for DFS they will be shifting uncomfortably on their…sofa.

In case you hadn’t noticed, OP, I’m glad you won.

DimplesToadfoot · 16/02/2025 12:27

Well done! Anything other than a win for you would have been bonkers but what a relief it's all over.

The devil in me would send them a sofa cushion with your face on 😆

Original poster
FBIsMostWanted · 16/02/2025 18:18

DimplesToadfoot · 16/02/2025 12:27

Well done! Anything other than a win for you would have been bonkers but what a relief it's all over.

The devil in me would send them a sofa cushion with your face on 😆

I’m off to Google “cushions with my face on” hahaha

OP posts:
GargoylesofBeelzebub · 16/02/2025 18:35

Marvellous news! How annoying that they put you through all this. Hopefully it's cost them as much as a new sofa in the end.

I think I'd have done a bit more than a smug smile to them in the way out!!

Pinkypup · 16/02/2025 21:19

FBIsMostWanted · 16/02/2025 18:18

I’m off to Google “cushions with my face on” hahaha

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Or maybe a picture of the sofa?!

DimplesToadfoot · 16/02/2025 21:30

FBIsMostWanted · 16/02/2025 18:18

I’m off to Google “cushions with my face on” hahaha

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Haha do it! do it! do it!

Put your face on one side and a copy of the court ruling on the other side.

Or a pic of the sofa like Pickypup suggests 😀