Money Claims, Court Date received, anything I should do/know

cgfw201

Run a small business, we ordered £1600 of products from a large online retailer last summer. It came in 32 separate boxes, and around 25% of the goods were unusable/completely broken.

I'd just had twins so was a little preoccupied. I opened the boxes the day after they were delivered and reported all the damage with photos.

The retailer says as I accepted the delivery they take no responsibility from that point onwards and there was no refund/return option available from that point.

Which seems absurd, right?

Anyway, had a lot of back and forth getting nowhere and was finally advised to try the Gov Money Claims service, and after them delaying it for ages, finally got a date in County Court in a few weeks time.

I've got no more info than the letter. Do I need to stand up and speak in court, or is it just a judge reading the case and making a decision?

Any advice most welcome. 

Okell

cgfw201 said:

Run a small business, ... 

With regard to whether the seller's position is "absurd" or not, if this is a business transaction you have no consumer rights and you are asking in the wrong place.

You would be better off posting here:  Small biz MoneySaving — MoneySavingExpert Forum

Your purchase is not covered by the Consumer Rights Act 2015.  What rights you have will be defined by the T&Cs of the supplier and - I think - the Sale of Goods Act.

cgfw201 said:

... Anyway, had a lot of back and forth getting nowhere and was finally advised to try the Gov Money Claims service, and after them delaying it for ages, finally got a date in County Court in a few weeks time.

I've got no more info than the letter. Do I need to stand up and speak in court, or is it just a judge reading the case and making a decision?...

So far as the court process/procedure goes you might be better off asking for advice on Legal Beagles:  Court Claims and Issues - LegalBeagles Forum

eskbanker

cgfw201 said:

I've got no more info than the letter. Do I need to stand up and speak in court, or is it just a judge reading the case and making a decision?

Any advice most welcome. 

There's a guide at https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/reclaim/small-claims-court/, and no doubt similar elsewhere, such as Citizens Advice, etc.