Would really appreciate some advice from any Legally minded individuals out there...
We have moved overseas (Saudi Arabia) within the last year, and have 'recently' shipped our furniture and personal items from the UK...but, it's been one problem after another and we are not sure what to do next.
In late July, early August we started making plans to ship furniture and contacted a number of companies for quotes...we, of course, went with the cheapest quote...but it was also a company that family had used before...
In early august we confirmed with the company that we would be using them and asked re money transfer.
There were problems with contact, and DH didnt manage to get in touch with person dealing with account for a long time, most corres done via e-mail
Money was finally transferred in full in late aug/early sept...DH was advised that shipment would be dispatched almost immediately and time from shipping to arrival in port was approx 3 weeks.
After money transfer heard nothing, hubby sent numerous e-mails from Saudi advising that I am leaving UK soon and shipment needs to be collected...nothing.
Finally I phone company...speak to woman handling account (its a travel agency that also arranges shipments)...she was 'shocked' that the shipping company hadn't contacted me as she had given them my number...my question...why didnt you follow up...anyway, they didnt pick up the shipment before I left and it was left to fam to sort out...the travel company adv that it was their first time using the shippers and the person managing the account had gone on holiday not passing it to anyone else...it was not their fault...they were trying to help ...am very cynical as I had to chase them to find out anything, they never called when they promised to, and they considered it acceptable to tell me to delay my trip to london to catch flight to KSA when I was 35 weeks pregnant and traveling with 2 yr old alone...
Anyway, after alot of headaches, shipping co turned up to storage facilirty and collected furniture at agreed time...
They forgot a mattress in stairwell, FIL had to rearrange storage, and contact company to collect...by this point it was 19/09...Friday..
Company agreed to recollect on Monday 22/09...didnt turn up, finally turned up few days later.
We dont hear anything...so DH starts chasing Travel angents again...this time it is the person their that is on holiday so DH ends up speaking to company owner...
Shipping co have not dispatched cargo, first they state that because they did not have matterss they missed cargpo hold and incurred costs as container was not full to capacity...they argued it was our fault that mattress was not taken, we argued that as they had removed it from strorage it was their responsibility, they wanted to charge us an additional 50% of shipping cost!
then they argued it was packed incorrectly so we have to pay extra, this delayed shipment too...DH points out that packing was supposed to be included...this was only a verbal agreement tho...and he did state that everything was packed...which it was but not in a way they accepted...
Anyhoo, TA took our side and argued with shippers, who did not help their case saying that they had been unable to contact TA to discuss,,,apparantly however TA's must have 24 hour contact no and this is the number the shippers had...
Begrudingly and after several e-mails to TA calling DH a liar shippers agreed to swallow cost and it was agreed that items would be sent 5th? Oct for arrical in port 24 oct! We were unhappy with previous delays as baby due 29th oct and car seat, cot, bouncy chair etc etc etc in shipment, but had no choice but to accept.
Oh Shippers also tried to supplement cost by approx 300 as stated that volume due to extra packing now beyond volume quoted...we were due to prev conv and fact that plenty of room in storage facility prior to re-pack.
It was agreed that DH would first recieve goods before extra money paid, and basically it was his call if reasonable or not, if not TA would swallow cost...
Anyhoo...24th came and went, DH waiting for weekend to be over and contacted TA...again many e-mails later finally get a reply...phone no of port dh chases himself, and they adv not recieved and nothing expected from UK til NOV 5th at earliest!
Again contact to TA...3 e-mails later, a forwarded e-mail from shippers to TA saying they are looking into this!
Ultimately we are furious...baby is now overdue and we have to buy extra car seat at least and moses basket stand, poss chair, push chair, cot, they are still taking no responsibility...
We are stuck in PIL's house as no furniture...
We are paying rent on empty appt.
Am also terrified that shipment lost as irreplaceble prof photo's of PFB as well as many of his toys in shipment...
Does anyone have any idea of what to do next, what recourse do we have?...DH wants to claim any expenses re baby incurred...I doubt he has hope in hell...Can we issue court proceedings from here...
I'm just very , this is really not something we need right now...It's 2 months since we paid and one headache after another...
Sorry it's long...if you've read this far thank you!