Bensons for Beds - Delivery drivers denying damage

Nodding_Donkey

Was the bed armour plated?

Gavin83

Jamieg285 wrote: »

We had some beds delivered (and taken away again due to faults) and one of the drivers did £5K damage to our front door. The driver took a photo and said that Bensons would pay for it. One week later the drivers are now denying all knowledge and Bensons won't take liability.

What options do we have for getting then to pay up?

Thanks in advance

You say they're refusing to take responsibility for the damage, was this before or after you gave them the quote of £5k? It wouldn't surprise me if you gave them a quote and they felt you were taking the mick they'd be a lot less cooperative.

Unless you live in a stately home with exceptionally large and listed doors then I can't see how it would cost £5k to fix. Even if the doors were custom made out of specialist wood I wouldn't expect it to cost more than £1k to fix. I suspect the manufacturer doesn't really wish to do the job or feels they can charge an exceptionally large quote as it'll be covered by a company.

I'd suggest getting other quotes as I feel even if this makes it to court the judge will look harshly on a quote of this size.

Jamieg285

Thanks for the replies so far, both the humorous and on-topic ones.

I agree that I think the door company is trying to take advantage. The original door fitting was about £2.5K a few years ago. Once I mentioned it was delivery damage you could almost see their eyes light up. They didn't really check the damage just said it needed a full replacement, and gave full list price. Normally they offer 50% discount to customers, but not for insurance claims. Perhaps they need naming and shaming as well as Bensons?

Bensons refusal was after I'd sent the quote, but I was following the steps they requested. It's not just that they aren't accepting responsibility, but the drivers are claiming there was no damage. I doubt they have been given the details of the quote, so there will be ulterior motives from them - unless Bensons Customer Service aren't being honest with us.

Since the OP I've now contacted our home insurers to see if there was any problem with waiting until the Bensons negotiations have finished before we make a claim with them if it was required. They've said make the claim now and they will follow up and loss-adjust the money from Bensons later. They sent out their own repair company who took a proper look and concluded that the damaged piece is simply a cap and not the actual frame. The cap can be removed and replaced (by a part supplied by the original manufacturer). We are just waiting for costs for that part.

So, as it stands we're not pursuing the full replacement price from Bensons, but will now be pushing for some compensation for the experience of Laurel and Hardy delivery drivers they sent.