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Removal company damaged carpets

4 replies

upsetisme · 12/02/2021 17:47

Nc for this.

I don't really know why I'm posting, but I'm upset and need to vent and not brave enough for AIBU.

We are a young family with a baby and have recently purchased our forever family home.
After several months of going through the purchase process and selling our old home, we finally saw light at the end of the tunnel.

On the day of the move one of the removal team managed to tread in cat poo and walk it all through the house, including in our baby's new bedroom.

Before we knew who it was, my partner asked everyone to stop what they were doing and explained there were pooey footsteps throughout the house and asked everyone to check their shoes.

Immediately after he said this, the owner of the removals started saying it's not one of us, it has nothing to do with us, it's not our fault etc. To which my partner replied you don't know it wasn't one of you until everyone has checked their shoes.

Anyway the person was identified as one of the removal workers, and the owner of the removal company just laughed it off and said basically not our problem/fault mate and continued moving things into the house.

My partner doesn't like confrontation but was visibly upset as by this point the whole house stunk of cat poo, so I explained to the owner removal man that, as it was one of their team that had trod it into the carpets, it was their responsibility to deal with and asked what they would do about it.

He then launched at me snapping and having a go basically making out I was being a huge bitch for even suggesting they rectify the situation. When I showed him the poo in the baby's room he actually laughed. He insisted this had never happened before and no-one had ever asked for their carpets to be cleaned.

I explained that poo is toxic to small children for a start, and mentioned that as he is insured he could claim through that.

He then marched off in a mood.

I saw him a bit later and said 'I'm not trying to be arsey' and he cut me off snapping yes you are before I could even finish what I was saying.

I avoided them all after that as I was too upset to face them anymore.

Anyway he apologised to my partner (backhandedly) as he blamed me for making him angry. Apparently he only got defensive because I asked him what he was going to do about it - to which my partner responded that he immediately tried to wriggle out of it, before I even spoke to him.

Anyway they dropped off a rug doctor later in the day and we then had to clean the carpets. After going over it multiple times the smell was still there so the next day I rang around and we found a company that would come and clean the carpets. They were so nice when we explained the situation they came round that day and helped us. It's cost us a lot though which we really didn't need as we have saved to do specific things to the house.

I moved a box that evening when the carpet was dry and discovered another poo footprint despite the owner removal guy assuring us there were no footprints under those specific boxes, so we had to scrub it out ourselves.

I'm so upset. They even tried to blame it on our cats which we hadn't even moved in at that point! We really didn't need this extra cost and I'm really upset that they were able to walk away and leave us having to deal with the situation for days, juggling a baby, no furniture, food, unpacking etc with wet carpets!

So sorry for the essay and well done if you made it this far!

Tldr- removal worker trod cat poo into new house carpets, owner refused to take proper responsibility.

OP posts:
Frequentlymisunderstood · 12/02/2021 18:39

What a horrible start to moving into your new home. Could you phone the removal firm and ask (hopefully a secretary not horrible man) for details of their insurer and put a claim in to recover the costs of carpet cleaning? When they collected the rug doctor did you tell them it wasn’t resolved?

I’m not surprised you’re upset but don’t let the awful experience and horrible removal man spoil your happiness of moving into your forever home. Wishing you lots of happiness in your new home Flowers

upsetisme · 12/02/2021 18:42

Thank you for your reply. Unfortunately they paid the cost of the rug doctor then dropped it off - we had to return it so didn't get to tell them.

I could try but I'm scared it'll be the same rude man again Sad me being wimpy.

Thank you, we are trying to look forward now Smile xx

OP posts:
NachoNachoMan · 12/02/2021 18:57

Congratulations on your lovely new home! I promise you'll forget about this incident as time goes on, and laugh (but also be a bit irritated!) when it's mentioned again.

I would write everything down, factually, without emotion, and send a letter (not email) recorded post asking them to reimburse you for the cost of the cleaning company. Send a photocopy of the cleaning company bill. Put in the letter you'd like a response within 14 days. If they don't reply or the reply isn't to your liking, write to them, again, stating you will be taking them to the small claims court if they do not pay up - and also inform them the cost of you doing this will be added to the amount owed.

Do you have a contract with the moving company, or a website that states how they will deal with damages that you could quote?

upsetisme · 12/02/2021 20:30

I was considering it but I'm nervous to unfortunately given their attitude. I really don't want more drama! Thank you for the suggestion though.

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