Receiving duplicate invoices

Dinadon

I'm not certain if this is the best place for this, but I do not know who I did to escalate to in my case.

I purchased a made-to-order table from a European seller over a year ago. For various reasons they did not include any import fees, and they were quite clear about this upfront. So, of course, I am expecting that the delivery company will charge me the import fees.

After various delays, the table was delivered several months ago. I received an invoice from the delivery company at the same time for the import fees. I paid for them at the time, so I think everything is sorted. Then a few months after delivery I receive another invoice from the delivery company. It clearly relates to the same consignment, and for the same total fee. The account details to pay are also the same, but otherwise, this second invoice is distinct. I would hazard a guess it was generated by a different department.

I have, of course, tried to raise with the delivery company that they have sent me a duplicate invoice. Both by email and sending physical letters. Yet I just feel like I am stuck bouncing off their automated systems and never seeming to get any progression with an actual person. And it has now been long enough that their systems are escalating.

So I don't know who exactly I need to complain to when they don't seem to be engaging with me.

user1977

You complain to the people who are chasing you to pay the duplicate invoice. Not much else you can do, but unless they start court action, not much else you need to worry about.

Manxman_in_exile

Is this an established well-known delivery company?

And what do you mean by "duplicate invoice"?   Is it simply a copy of the original invoice you have already paid with the same invoice number, or is it a separate and "distinct" invoice with a different number?

I presume you've tried sending copies of both identical invoices to the delivery company pointing out that you've already paid the original (or first) one on such and such a date, and that you've provided some sort of proof of payment in the form of a payment reference...

Dinadon

Yes, this is an established well-known delivery company.

Yes, I have already sent them the necessary details to highlight the duplication (including by post).

Both invoices refer to the same consignment number and sender. They both refer to the same VAT and processing fees, for the same total amount. Even the sender's own internal reference number can be inferred from the documents sent in each instance.

Only the second invoice has a clear and distinct invoice number. But then it is also clearly a different department (emails and addresses are different, though payment details are the same).

tacpot12

Given the number of scams around invoicing, I think you are on safe ground if you complain, and then ignore further requests for payment until they want to start court action. At that point, their solicitors should look at the communications that have taken place and realise that there is no case that can be taken to court.

TripleH

Check the invoice under account / customer number in case they have accidentally set you up twice as 2 separate 'accounts'.

If this has happened, even if the address is the same, they will treat you as 2 separate parties.

Ask for a statement of account for each account (if more than 1) to help prompt action.