MoveCorp removals went into liquidation before delivering my shipment

nikhil2112

Hi forum,
Need advice re my rights and recourse dealing with a removals company. I recently moved from the Netherlands to Belfast, and shipped my household items through MoveCorp removals company, based near Birmingham. After more than a month since collecting my items, and more than 2 weeks since demanding and collecting my full payment, they announced last Friday that they are now going into liquidation (bankrupt). They didn't inform me until Monday, however, and only after I called and demanded to know what was happening to my shipment.

In the meantime, prior to their announcement, they have apparently handed over my consignment to another partner removals company - Prolink, based in Galway, Ireland - to complete the delivery. But MoveCorp has not paid Prolink. So now Prolink is holding onto my consignment and will not deliver my belongings until they get paid by MoveCorp - which may or may not happen.

My question is, is this appropriate? Is this the standard practice to withhold customers' shipments until the two sub-contractors resolve their own payment issues?

Prolink tells me they *are confident* that they will receive payment next week and then will be able to make delivery the following week after that - so another 2 weeks at best, under the best case scenario, and 1.5 months in total.

Even still, it seems to me that now my items are being held as a form of "hostage" while the 2 companies sort out payment issues between themselves - even though (a) they are my personal belongings, and (b) I have done my part of the bargain and paid in full.

Any advise on what my recourse is here? Thanks in advance.

N

theartfullodger

I would pay them myself now "under protest" , get your stuff, then try later to recover the money.


As currently you run the risk of never seeing your stuff again..



Talk to prolink and see if that is an option they are OK with...

kazwookie

How did you pay movecorp?


You may be able to recover the money via your credit card if you used one

diggingdude

Did you not take it an insurance premium? My parents did when they moved. If you did speak to insurers?

Bossypants

theartfullodger wrote: »

I would pay them myself now "under protest" , get your stuff, then try later to recover the money.


As currently you run the risk of never seeing your stuff again..



Talk to prolink and see if that is an option they are OK with...

I tend to agree. As frustrating and unfair as it is, your priority here is getting your personal belongings back (assuming that they are important to you). This wrangling between the companies could go on for months or more without you getting your stuff back if you decide to wait it out. Pay them if you possibly can, then put in a claim to be refunded (depending on the details of the situation, you may unfortunately never actually see a refund).

DCFC79

Depends how much you value the stuff they have ?


Is it stuff you can replace or valuables ?


Is it worth the money Prolink are wanting from MoveCorps ?


I agree with a previous poster and just pay Prolink and see if you can go about claiming off the administrators.

karui

I also just received an email yesterday about this. I moved from Germany to the US, and they currently have my things in the UK. They actually had requested a copy of my passport + visa last week, and I was hesitant to share that info as that wasn't requested before. I submitted the documents on Tuesday, and by Thursday I received their 'bankruptcy' email. I'm mortified. If anyone has any news on this pls let us know.

TBagpuss

Hpw did you pay movecorp? If it was by credit card then you may be able to pay the new company and claim the first payment back from your card company.
alternatively, if you have insurance for the move this may cover it.

Have you spoekn to the new company about how much is owd in relation to your specific items?

Nobbie1967

If MoveCorp has gone into liquidation, then they will not be making any payments to Prolink as the process is just about wrapping up the business in an orderly way and distributing any remaining assets to it creditors. You area creditor, but an unsecured one and any money left will be long gone before they get to you.

You can either arrange to collect your goods from Prolink and pay any reasonable storage fees up until then, or make a new contract and pay Prolink to delivery your stuff. Don't know why Prolink are pretending there is any chance that MoveCorp will pay them. If it was an administration that might be possible, but not with liquidation.

I wonder if the two companies share directors or main shareholders��

ARFARF

Contact the British Association of Removers (B.A.R.) as they have an Advanced Payment Guarantee program & from their website, MOVECORP resigned their membership (assuming it is the same company) from the BAR on 11 Oct 2019, so if you paid for your move before that date, it might still be covered. Look up bar co uk / advanced-payment-guarantee/ in google (as a new user, I cannot post weblinks)

You could also contact the National Guild of Removers & Storers based in Chesham, as Movecorp were a member of their scheme, though they have removed the details of Movecorp from their website.01494 792 279 info@ngrs.co.uk

nikhil2112

Hi Forum,

Thanks very much for the advice.

BY WAY OF UPDATE: I have indeed been in touch with Prolink directly and they have been very helpful and sympathetic, and have been working with me to resolve the situation quickly as well. I am now arranging with them directly (covering what they were owed from MoveCorp) to have my consignment delivered asap. I will sort out the recovery of my lost payments to MoveCorp in due course through the B.A.R and my credit card company.

CLARIFICATION: I should clarify, in fairness to Prolink, that Prolink is not affiliated or associated in any way with MoveCorp; they don't share any board members or directors or any other links. They have also been caught up in the middle of this mess through no fault of their own and are just trying to mitigate their own losses. They have been quite responsive and kind enough to deal with me directly to get my things delivered early next week. So I appreciate their help and hope they don't get dragged for the present situation.

TIP FOR OTHERS IN A SIMILAR SITUATION: As others have already suggested on this thread, yes the best recourse does seem to be to deal with the intermediary moving company directly if possible. Pay them directly - as they too are likely getting screwed and are just looking to mitigate losses - and then try to recover your losses through the BAR, the administrator or the credit card company in due course, once your consignment is sorted.

Also as others on this thread have mentioned, the BAR (British Association of Removers) are the ones to be in touch with and have the Advanced Payment Guarantee scheme to avail of to recover lost payments. It may take time, given the liquidation process, but better than nothing.