Storage damage

mike259

Good afternoon.

Please forgive me if this is in the wrong thread, my first time on here and this felt like the most suitable.

I have an issue regarding a storage company I used.

oneplace2save

I will try and get all the details but please ask if there is anything you feel I may have left out.

I needed to use them whilst between flats. I did not have a specific move in date but thought it would just be short term (a couple of weeks) until the new place was ready. Due to building work I had to extend the storage time and was under the impression that I could keep it rolling.

The items were in storage for 3-4 months in the end.

I was behind on a couple of payments but paid everything in full upon collection of the items and had been trying my best to pay every two weeks as we discussed on the phone.

When I went to collect the items they were not where I thought they would be but had been moved to a lock up that quite frankly was disgusting.

First issue regards health and safety. The only way to reach some of the larger items was via a pallet balanced over the end of a fork lift truck. Highly dangerous and I was not offered any assistance whilst going up and down on it. I would have walked away but had just paid for two delivery guys. Then they told me that we only had half an hour before it closed. I arrived at 3:30 after being told they were open until 6 on the phone. But was then given until 4 to get as much stuff as possible. I was then told that they didn't know which container the rest of the stuff it which meant another trip at the cost of another van.

A few weeks later when we finally had a date to move in I went to collect the rest of the stuff. This is where my heart began to sink.
Many of the boxes were very damaged with the contents falling out. Upon getting everything back tot he new place I began to go through out clothes and to my horror a good 50% were covered in a horrible mould. Also there are several items missing that they have been unable to locate such as some floor standing lamps.

I spoke to them on the phone this morning and they say that they cannot find the missing items, mentioned nothing on the health and safety issues and apparently the clothes were not ack well enough to remain dry (but surely a storage facility should be dry)
They also said that there were more items that originally quoted before even though they all fit int he truck they sent over.

I've tried to keep this as short and concise as possible but was just after some advice regarding what to do next?

Many thanks,

ThumbRemote

You need to make a full list of what's missing or damaged, and what the value of it all is. Also any extra costs you've incurred (eg hiring a van twice).

Then send it to them requesting they compensate you for your losses.

mike259

What are the next steps if they refuse?

Best,

mumonashoestring

Do you have a contract with them? If so, have you checked what that says about damage to or loss of your items whilst in storage?

somethingcorporate

If they refuse send them a letter before action outlining briefly what has happened and how much they need to pay you before commencing court action via MCOL.

This should probably be moved to the consumer rights forum if a kind mod reads this thread.

Errata

The only way to reach some of the larger items was via a pallet balanced over the end of a fork lift truck. Highly dangerous and I was not offered any assistance whilst going up and down on it.

Really ???????

mike259

Yeah it was a joke, should have turned around but had already paid the driver.

I believe they have violated the terms set out in Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 but are there any health and safety acts I can quote from?

ThumbRemote

mike259 wrote: »

Yeah it was a joke, should have turned around but had already paid the driver.

I believe they have violated the terms set out in Supply of Goods and Services Act 1982 but are there any health and safety acts I can quote from?

There are lots you can quote from

Probably not worthwhile though. Unless you were injured, it'll just come across as griping. Keep it entirely factual about what your losses are, don't go down the route of moaning about their entire business - even if it is terrible.

*Scarlett

Do you have home contents insurance?

You may be covered for items in storage - check the policy docs.

Bradden

JUst had alook ath thier T&C's...

. Your responsibility

It will be your own responsibility (and, where relevant, expense) to:



b) Insure the goods submitted for removal against all insurable risks where you do not wish to accept 'Inclusive Cover'.

Did you take out insurance?


vi) Goods not both packed and unpacked by us, including those in wardrobes, drawers, or appliances, or in a package, bundle, case or other container.

If they packed the goods for you then they should bear responsibility for the items falling out.

heart_free

I briefly worked at a storage facility last year, but after 2 months I walked out due to their underhand practices and the attitude of the owners. The facility would regularly move customers things from the nice, clean, dry ones that they had originally put their things into to ones at the back which were damp, leaking etc. Especially items from customers that they didn't ecpect to visit very soon. I also queried why we were letting item be stored in damp, dirty conditions and was told that the money they made from renting the containers was much more than any compensation claims made.
I would advise that you plainly ask them to compensate you for the conditions of your items, and if they are the same as the company I worked for, then you won't get any trouble, they'll just pay. Good luck.