DPD

[Annonmous]

I’m looking for legal advise if possible, sorry in advance for the long post.

I paid for my pram bundle to be valeted via Silvercross. They arranged collection and delivery via DPD.

The day DPD were due to deliver the pram back to me, I had to rush a family member to the hospital. I requested a redelivery on DPD app. Which was confirmed. Driver delivered the pram back regardless of confirmation to deliver a few days later. My delivery preferences are to leave in enclosed front porch. Which driver didn’t follow. He left them on the door step in plain sight.

By the time I got home the items were missing, which isn’t surprising in the area I live in and the fact I live next to a busy public alleyway/cut through.

I contacted DPD they initially acknowledged that my delivery preferences hadn’t been followed and that the pram should have been redelivered a few days later. They closed for the evening so all communication stopped.

I’ve managed to speak to somebody from DPD via chat today and they’re now coming up with every excuse as to why it isn’t their problem. They said the contract is with the seller therefore unable to open an official investigation until they hear from Silvercross.

I contacted Silvercross who have said they can not help and will not contact DPD to request an investigation. They advised to contact the police. Police have stated they can not help as it’s a civil matter and to contact Silvercross again.

Surely Silvercross are responsible for following up with DPD? I understand neither want to accept liability of this as the pram bundle is worth close too £2K

I’m due to give birth in less than 2 weeks and my local hospital have said they can not legally discharge my child with me without a car seat. Even if I were to get in a taxi or bus as opposed to my own car. I can’t even get the bus as the entire pram bundle (car seat, bassinet and trundle seat) was sent off to be cleaned.

I can’t afford to buy a new car seat/pram and to be honest I don’t think I should have to pay for somebody else’s mistake.

Is there anyone else I can contact for advise/take matter further. Does anyone know where I stand?

Who paid the delivery charge?

DPD are correct. Your contract is with Silvercross. Silvercross may have a claim against DPD, but you don't. Go back to them and point out that, under consumer law, they are responsible for making sure the pram is delivered to you. Make it clear to them that, unless they deal with this, you will take legal action.

If that doesn't get you anywhere, your next step is to send them a letter before action - Which? have a good template at Letter before small claims court claim - Which?

If they fail to respond to the letter before action, you can then start proceedings against them to claim the cost of a replacement. This would be a small claim so you don't need a lawyer. The fee for a claim of £2k is £115. You can add this to your claim, so Silvercross would be liable for that as well.

Just want to add that the hospital cannot legally refuse to discharge you without a car seat... I'm not for one minute suggesting it would be safe to travel without a car seat but stating it's illegal to discharge without one is rubbish.

OK you need a car seat for the first few days - it's just silly to be in a position where you'll be worried about this. Pram can potentially wait. Agree that the hospital can't legally hold you hostage, but you don't want to be faffing around getting a bus after giving birth or having a c-section and taxis aren't magically immune from crashing, so I would want to use a car seat in one anyway and it will be more convenient and comfortable for your partner to drive you in your own car.

I would first ask around friends and family - many people have an old baby seat stored between children which you could borrow for a few weeks, possibly even a pram, too.

If not - this is currently the cheapest option suitable from birth, will be better than nothing, and it can be a spare for travel as it is belt fitted and works up to around 4 years old (in practice, it's fairly short in the shell so might only work up to about age 2-3 but it's something). https://www.halfords.com/baby-and-child/car-seats/baby-car-seats/halfords-essentials-impala-r129-car-seat-817950.html

Or look into something like Joie 360 Spin, which can later be given to a grandparent as a spare or used in a second car. That is a bit more expensive (about £125) but has isofix and the spin feature which many people like.

Sorry can't help with the legal side - I would suggest MoneySavingExpert tend to be good for questions like this.