Fence damaged during delivery

littlewren

I hope this is the right thread for posting.

I ordered two sofas from Homebase and Argos tried to deliver it about an hour ago. I say 'tried' because firstly they couldn't get it in through the front door - there was only an inch blocking their way (the weatherboard) and I couldn't get down to try to take it off as I recently slipped my disc. They wouldn't remove it themselves in case they damaged it, even though trying to force it in through the front door dislodged the weatherboard slightly and they had to push it back in place so I could shut the door.

So they tried to go round the back to take the largest sofa in through the patio doors. They had already said there would be a problem with the fact that the fence narrowed a bit but tried it anyway. They got stuck at the narrowest part and when they couldn't get either in or out they were shaking the sofa like mad which in turn shook the fence. I asked the man to stop, explaining that they would damage the fence, but they couldn't get it out without shaking it some more.

When they'd gone, I went out to look at the fence and one of the brackets has come away and pulled the fence away from the post so I will need someone out to fix it as it's not something that can just be hammered back in place. It's a bit difficult to explain here.

Admittedly the fence has seen better days, but surely they shouldn't have continued trying to get down the path when it was obviously too narrow?

Has anyone any idea as to how I stand on this please? Or has anyone had any similar problem with a delivery?

TIA

InsideInsurance

Did they actually manage to deliver the thing in the end or did they take it away?

Did you note the issues on the delivery note you signed or not?

Ultimately you contact the retailer and advise them of the damage caused. If it hasnt been noted on the delivery note or such then its pretty much going to be your word against theirs.

They may come out to look at it, would be sensible for you getting a quote in the mean time to have it fixed - by which its just fixing this one issue not replacing the whole fencing unless its the cheapest way to deal with the one problem.

littlewren

InsideInsurance wrote: »

Did they actually manage to deliver the thing in the end or did they take it away?



Did you note the issues on the delivery note you signed or not?

Ultimately you contact the retailer and advise them of the damage caused. If it hasnt been noted on the delivery note or such then its pretty much going to be your word against theirs.

They may come out to look at it, would be sensible for you getting a quote in the mean time to have it fixed - by which its just fixing this one issue not replacing the whole fencing unless its the cheapest way to deal with the one problem.

Hi, thank you for your reply.

No, they took the sofa away once they'd dislodged it from the fence. They didn't ask me to sign anything, they didn't leave any paperwork, just took the sofa back to the lorry and left.

Since I posted, I've received a phone call from the company asking if I want to reschedule the delivery, which I told them I do want to do, but I told them about the damage to the fence. The adviser told me to take a photo of the damage, which I've now done and said that someone will e-mail in 2 to 3 working days regarding the issue.

Now what I have to do is find someone to remove the weatherboard so that it can - hopefully - be delivered in 9 days time. If not, off they'll go again. I'm worried about it coming off and not being able to get back on again.

pinkshoes

As it is the customer's responsibility to check that the sofa will fit through the door, you are lucky that they aren't charging you for the delivery, which they are entitled to do!

I would check your dimensions carefully, and perhaps it would be better to order something a little smaller?

Auntie-Dolly

How are they going to get it in next time?

littlewren

pinkshoes wrote: »

As it is the customer's responsibility to check that the sofa will fit through the door, you are lucky that they aren't charging you for the delivery, which they are entitled to do!

I would check your dimensions carefully, and perhaps it would be better to order something a little smaller?

I did check the measurements but it got stuck on the weatherboard (about three quarters of an inch) of the front door.


The sofas aren't huge, they are standard size.

littlewren

Auntie-Dolly wrote: »

How are they going to get it in next time?

As mentioned, I need someone to remove the weatherboard, which can be done, I just can't get down to do it myself because of my back. If it won't come off, I will have to have the door removed, apparently at a cost of around £65, but it could be more depending on whether the deliverymen turn up on time. As it was, the call I received said they would deliver between 2pm - 4pm today but they turned up at 1pm, lucky I was in.

custardy

will the 'broken' fence allow enough give to deliver the sofa now?

littlewren

custardy wrote: »

will the 'broken' fence allow enough give to deliver the sofa now?

No it won't, the damage has ripped the panel away from the post a bit and pushed the fence slightly outwards, also splitting the panel, but it won't make any difference to them getting through.


I went out the front earlier and discovered that they'd also dislodged a long piece of wood that had been attached to the gate. They didn't even tell me, just left it propped up!

unholyangel

littlewren wrote: »

Admittedly the fence has seen better days, but surely they shouldn't have continued trying to get down the path when it was obviously too narrow?
TIA

IMO thats going to be your biggest stumbling block depending on what exactly you mean by it having seen better days.

Basically for these types of claims you're looking at several things.

1. That they owed you a duty of care.
2. That they were in breach of that duty.
3. That the breach caused the damage and
4. That the damage was not too remote.

If the fence was in disrepair at the very least it may reduce their liability to that of contributory negligence. If the fence needs repaired/replaced anyway (or will do soon), it could also reduce the amount they would be liable for through wear & tear.

Although since there seems to be a contract in place, it places them under a greater duty of care than if (for example) you had just asked a couple of friends to help you.

JethroUK

littlewren wrote: »

I did check the measurements but it got stuck on the weatherboard (about three quarters of an inch) of the front door.


The sofas aren't huge, they are standard size.

"Not Huge" is not a size
Sofas are a size
Doors are a size
Gateways are a size

Last time we had our lounge suite delivered we had to fill out war and peace on a form that asked us the dimensions of every access easy
Location of any steps
Locations of any uneven floors

You obviously need to give them absolute measurements

I can't beleive they are even going to attempt to deliver it again without measurements and with you clearing access (taking down any obsticals for them)

You need to remember it's not their responsibility to remodel your house to fit your sofa in, deliver charges just about cover them bringing it to your house and dropping it in your front garden

Personally I made sure all access ways were clear including moving all the stuff out of my garage, cleared my hallway and completely emptied my dining room to make it as easy as possible for them. I even took the back door off my garage so they had more room to get it through

If I had a slipped disc I would ask my son and a neighbour to help me but I would still prepare