Are removals services covered by Consumer Rights Act 2015?

Tisiphone

sheramber said:

By the same token that you say they cannot make you pay as there is no contract with you, they may not release the piano to you if there is no contract with you. 

This is very true. Though I can prove ownership and show evidence that the piano was taken there without our knowledge or permission. 

Okell

If the storage firm are owed anything in respect of storage fees I suspect they won't release the piano to you even with proof of ownership.

If you can't come to a mutually satisfactory resolution with the removal firm I still think you are going to have to pay and sue later.

lincroft1710

Tisiphone said:

sheramber said:

By the same token that you say they cannot make you pay as there is no contract with you, they may not release the piano to you if there is no contract with you. 

This is very true. Though I can prove ownership and show evidence that the piano was taken there without our knowledge or permission. 

Even if you can prove ownership, the storage company have a duty of care to the entity who contracts with them to store goods, and should not release said goods to a 3rd party without that entity's agreement. 

Tisiphone

My reply:

"Dear Mr Abrey

Owing to your continued refusal to meet your contractual obligations and due to your recent threat to "dispose" of my piano, we were obliged to engage another firm to complete the job.

It took Mr Dean of London Piano Removals, aged 73 and a young female assistant 3 1/2 minutes to bring the piano into my flat via access you deemed too dangerous for your team.

Some damage to the lower right hand side of the piano was noted and recorded at the collection site by Mr Dean and Michelle of Ben Wheeler Pianos. It is not recognised by the vendor.

Our letter before action follows"

Nothing more to be said really.  I've got a video of them doing it and it is glorious! We weren't charged anything for storage; the people there couldn't have been more helpful

Thank you very much @Okell and @lincroft1710 for your excellent advice and suggestions, I'll have to write the letter before action and you've given me lots of helpful phrases to put in.  I expect he'll take it all the way to court, he seems that kind of man.

Abrey Removals are the ones to avoid, by the way. If you've got a piano to move in the Maidenhead area, don't call them!!

Okell

Wonder how this turned out...

Alderbank

       

Mr Shifter, do you know the piano's on my foot?

No son but you hum it and I'll play it!

Tisiphone

Okell said:

Wonder how this turned out...

We've got to take him to court.  I think his confidence is misplaced, but we'll see.

Alderbank said:

       

Mr Shifter, do you know the piano's on my foot?

No son but you hum it and I'll play it!

We'll be submitting this actual footage of the event in evidence

Okell

@Tisiphone -  is it still incurring storage charges somewhere or has it finally been delivered?

Good luck!

Tisiphone

Okell said:

@Tisiphone -  is it still incurring storage charges somewhere or has it finally been delivered?

Good luck!

Thank you, and thanks so much for all your helpful advice. I never had to pay any storage charges, and I don't believe Piano Man did either.  His proposed counter claim will give the judge a good laugh.

It was delivered a few months ago. I've got a great video of the removers, a man in his 70s and a smallish woman, sauntering down the Stairs of Certain Death with it.

It turns out playing the piano is very much not like riding a bicycle though, pity my poor neighbours!

Okell

          

You're still suing him and he's counterclaiming?