Real-life MMD:Slight damage, but free storage. Who pays?

Mojisola

TBagpuss wrote: »

I have to admit that I am baffled as to why you would take a unit you didn't own or want and stick it in your loft

I wouldn't have been able to leave it out to get spoiled. I would have kept it somewhere safe for a while in case someone turned up looking for it. If no-one did, I would have passed it on through Freegle.

ripongrammargirl

I agree that they denied it was theirs and said you could do what you wanted with it.
However I am bit confused as to why you took it and stored it for 6 months in your attic?
Surely the correct protocol would have been to contact the supplier and have them remove it as nobody had any claim on it? Any later claim would then have been down to the shop who provided it to deal with. If this had happened (because surely taking something that you did not order and your neighbour did not know about, is stealing???) then this whole "dilemma" would have been avoided.
Its not the neighbours' property, its not yours.... someone is missing a kitchen cupboard and it will be the shop who has lost out as these things are rarely paid for in advance. Do the decent thing, even 6 months later, and find out where it came from, ring them and explain. You will get your reward in heaven.

Fujiko

I know we're asked not to be rude about these dilemmas but really this one is so ridiculous as to be laughable.

A kitchen unit appears from nowhere, presumably delivered, with no indication from whence it came or who delivered it. Unbelievable! Was it new? Usually a signature would be needed. Was there really no way of tracing the sender? How did they know where to deliver it? If it was meant for another address, eg in an adjoining street, presumably someone would have contacted the delivery firm to find out what had happened to it and hopefully the mistake would have been discovered.

Unless it was to match existing units, it would be very odd to have just one delivered. Did it match?

Since you didn't order it and the neighbour claims it is not their's I don't think either of you is under any obligation to do anything about it other than perhaps covering it with some plastic sheeting, certainly not putting it in a loft. In any case, I would expect a new unit to come already wrapped. Any kitchen unit is quite bulky and very heavy. You must have unusually large access to get it up there and I wonder who helped you?

Are you sure this is a genuine dilemma because the more one thinks about it the more silly it is. Perhaps you should have kept it for the 1st April.

Ebenezer_Screwj

Were you actually going to use the unit, or was it going to remain in the attic forever? As things stand, it belongs to nobody, so you could exercise either of those options, you certainly don't have to buy a replacement if you choose to give it to the neighbour.

ruthb2008

Had you left it outside and not put it in your attic 6 months ago it would be in a lot worse a condition as it is now, so if it is theirs they should be thankful you took it in damaged or not! Although I agree with others it does seem a bit suspect not realising it was theirs in the first place!! I think they've probably fancied a new unit and remembered the one in your attic!

Lelly60

I find it unbelievable that you can forget you've ordered kitchen units for 6 months because you have to presume a supplier would have chased payment. The units were not properly delivered so your neighbour's fight is with the supplier if what they are saying is genuine. It's a shame you didn't contact the supplier because isn't there a law about unsolicited deliveries which means the items become yours if the supplier fails to collect them back after a reasonable period of notice? But you obviously didn't do this, so your possible best course of action is to brazen it out and see what happens but in the absence of legal proceedings, or Police intervention, you owe no one any explanation so stay quiet. Hope that helps.

gainsboroughgirl

As promised spoken to barrister daughter- chattels have different rules to easements. 3-6 months normally. I would like to say having read the most recent comments, I wonder if this was a scam dilemma? If so, I am annoyed at having given my time to someone in distress seeking the help of reasonable minded people... So, here's a new dilemma for everyone to ponder: "Should I respond to an MMD if it seems ridiculous, bearing in mind that by its very nature, it is likely to smack of the ridiculous and that it may be about a position someone finds themselves in that is almost incredulous and worthy of any soap opera, or, do I keep my opinions and advice to myself in case the MMD is a fake?"

tallgirld

You what? How does someone forget that they own something like a kitchen unit????

How bizarre!! I certainly wouldn't buy them a new one. Just give it to them in whatever condition it is in. How odd!!!!

autumngirl

gainsboroughgirl wrote: »

As promised spoken to barrister daughter- chattels have different rules to easements. 3-6 months normally. I would like to say having read the most recent comments, I wonder if this was a scam dilemma? If so, I am annoyed at having given my time to someone in distress seeking the help of reasonable minded people... So, here's a new dilemma for everyone to ponder: "Should I respond to an MMD if it seems ridiculous, bearing in mind that by its very nature, it is likely to smack of the ridiculous and that it may be about a position someone finds themselves in that is almost incredulous and worthy of any soap opera, or, do I keep my opinions and advice to myself in case the MMD is a fake?"

I think it's lovely that you and your daughter took the time to try and assist someone you didn't know, all in good faith.

I agree with other posters that the dilemma seems extremely far-fetched but the way you tried to help your fellow MSErs is very heart-warming to see and also in keeping with the spirit of the MSE community. The truth is quite often stranger than fiction so I hope you carry on offering advice if you feel compelled to

oldtrout

gainsboroughgirl wrote: »

As promised spoken to barrister daughter- chattels have different rules to easements. 3-6 months normally. I would like to say having read the most recent comments, I wonder if this was a scam dilemma? If so, I am annoyed at having given my time to someone in distress seeking the help of reasonable minded people... So, here's a new dilemma for everyone to ponder: "Should I respond to an MMD if it seems ridiculous, bearing in mind that by its very nature, it is likely to smack of the ridiculous and that it may be about a position someone finds themselves in that is almost incredulous and worthy of any soap opera, or, do I keep my opinions and advice to myself in case the MMD is a fake?"

I don't honestly think these MMDs are true and I feel so sorry for you that you have wasted your time.

There never seems to be any response from the alleged OP, no further explanation, no answers to questions, what they finally decided to do, and certainly no thanks.

What is the point?